Headhunter (With Me in Seattle Mafia #2) - Kristen Proby Page 0,53
sad.”
“You’re in love with him.” Annika’s statement leaves no room for argument. And I don’t want to deny it.
“I am.” I prop my chin in my hand and sigh. “I mean, have you seen his muscles? And that smile? And when he gets really intense, his brown eyes get this edge to them that makes me want to just bite him.”
“Carmine has the same eyes,” Nadia says with a nod.
“So does Rafe, except his are blue.” Annika blinks when we just stare at her. “What? They’re brothers.”
“Anyway, we’ll figure it out, one way or the other. I just hope I don’t end up with a broken heart because that will suck.”
“If he breaks your heart, I’ll break his kneecaps,” Nadia says.
“You’re scary sometimes.” I pour more mimosas for all of us. “Sometimes, like now, it’s easy to forget that you’re a badass bratva princess.”
“Honey, I’m a queen.” Nadia’s grin is sassy and confident.
“I want to be Nadia when I grow up,” I declare as I raise my glass to my lips. “Now, tell us about the wedding plans.”
“We’re going to have it here. At this house.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea,” Annika says. “The grounds are just gorgeous.”
“Yeah, and Carmine was really close with his grandmother, so I think it’s a nice tribute to her.” Nadia shrugs a shoulder. “My father is fine with it, which kind of surprised me given that our families haven’t always been besties, but things are better now.”
“Do you have a dress?” I ask. “I hate that this whole mess has happened while you’re planning, and that I haven’t been able to go with you.”
“Neither of us has,” Annika says. “I’m sorry.”
“Actually, I have twenty dresses arriving here from New York in about an hour. I need help. So, they’re coming to us.”
“God, it’s good to be rich.” I sit back and grin at my friend. “You lucky bitch.”
“It has its perks.” Nadia raises her glass. “Oh, and Carmine’s mom is coming to help. My mom will join us via FaceTime.”
“Well, let’s go get ready, then.”
“Darling!” Flavia Martinelli bursts into the massive room that’s been converted into a dressing room, her arms outstretched. She engulfs Nadia in a big hug. “You’re as gorgeous as ever. I’m so grateful that you invited me here today to see the dresses.”
The Martinelli matriarch is tall, slender, and shrewd. Carlo married an attractive and clever woman, who raised three boys, is submerged in her community, and keeps an eye on the who’s who of Seattle’s elite.
She’s known for being a force to be reckoned with. She’s always been kind to me, and I have to admit, I admire her for her style, and her sense of humor.
Then again, I suspect one would need to have one to be a boss’s wife.
“Hello, girls,” she says, turning to Annika and me. “I haven’t had a girls’ day in…I can’t even remember. I’m always surrounded by men.”
“Good-looking men at that,” Annika reminds her.
“Well, that doesn’t hurt, now does it?” Flavia winks and accepts a glass of champagne. “Oh, how lovely. I’m so excited. Get your gorgeous body into a dress, Nadia.”
“Okay. First, let me get my mom on the computer.”
“Oh, how wonderful,” Flavia says and claps her hands. “Katya and I spoke just last night about wedding plans. We’re just beside ourselves with excitement.”
I sit back and watch as Nadia gets her mother on screen, and Flavia and Annika share a smile.
And I can’t help but grieve, for just a moment.
I won’t ever have this moment with my mother. Someone stole that from me. And I can’t make the person who took her from me pay for that sin. I can’t help but feel a little envious that Nadia has this with her mom.
Of course, I’m also excited for her. And when Katya sees me, she grins and waves.
“Hello, Ivie, my darling girl. You look just as beautiful as can be.”