Darkest Sins (Perfectly Imperfect #9)

“Some big shot will be giving a speech soon. Everyone will be too busy listening to his rambling and clapping like mindless fools.” I take a sip of my lemonade. “Dad said they were able to persuade this guy to push a Bill through the State Legislature that’ll help the Family.”

“Something about casinos?”

“Could be. I’m not up to speed on all the business ventures since I left home.”

“I still can’t believe the don let you move out.” She takes a seat next to me.

“Me neither.” I shrug. “When I told him I bought a place with the money Mom left me, he threw a fit. I got a long lecture on how outrageous it is for Nuncio Veronese’s daughter to live alone, in some ‘small shitty shed’ of an apartment. ‘What would people say?’”

“So, you managed to sway him?”

“I tried. He threatened to drag me back home if I dared to leave, then threw me out of his office. But the following week, he told me he’d thought about it and decided to let me have my space.”

“I wish my dad was more like yours.” Dania takes a big sip from the glass and coughs. “I’m turning twenty next month. My dad has already started playing matchmaker. This time next year, I’m going to be married.”

I cringe. “Sorry.”

“What about you?”

“No matchmaking is going on at the moment, thank God. I told Dad I’m sick of doing nothing every day and want to go to college, or at least take some online courses, before I let him trap me in an arranged marriage. When he disagreed, I told him I’d strip naked and go dancing through the City Hall Plaza, ruining my reputation and, possibly, all future marriage prospects—for good.”

“I think you’ll still be a catch, even after flashing your naked butt.” Dania laughs.

“Maybe. But can you imagine the scandal that would create? My rear end would be the main subject of Cosa Nostra’s gossip for years.”

“I still don’t understand why on earth you want to go to college. You guys are so loaded, you’ll never need to work a day in your life. And I’m pretty sure that when you get married, your husband won’t allow you to have a job anyway.”

“I know. Still, I got my acceptance to the online vet tech program. I’m starting classes this fall.”

Dania chokes on her wine, spit flying everywhere, and bursts out laughing. “The don’s daughter, giving shots to chickens and delivering piglets?!”

“Well, I guess I might have to go through all that at some point.” I laugh, too.

“So, that’s the real reason why you started helping at that vet clinic! I thought you were just bored.”

“Let’s just say that I needed a change of scenery. And it’s fun. They brought in a stray dog last week and I got to watch the vet stitch up a wound on the little rascal’s stomach.”

“Nera! That’s gross.”

“Not really. I quite like it. Pretending to have a normal life and all that.” I sigh. “Oreste’s mother cornered me earlier. She wants to set me up with him. I think I’m going to call it a night and go home.”

“What about your security detail?”

I tilt my head toward the sky, gazing at the stars. Dad insists I take along security guys whenever I’m out anywhere late, but I’m not in the mood. It’s hard to act like you’re living a normal life when you have bodyguards following you. “Not tonight.”

“The don will be mad if he finds out.”

“Most certainly.” I snort. “Well, I’m off, then. I need to be up at seven. We have a cesarean on a cat scheduled for tomorrow morning.”

“I envy you, you know. Playing animal doctor while I need to start the search for a perfect wedding dress.”

“Don’t be. I’ll be searching for one soon enough, too. Dad allowed me just a few years of grace, but then I’ll be bound for the marriage market, as well.” Every time I’m over for the Sunday lunches Dad still insists I must attend, I dread that he’ll tell me he’s changed his mind. Since I turned nineteen, he’s been not-so-subtly hinting that I’m ripe to be married. “I just pray he keeps his word and lets me be until Massimo gets released.”

“Yeah,” Dania says. “You’re too valuable an asset to not be used.”

“Yup. An asset.”

“Do you have any idea who you might end up with?”