The Capo's Scarred Wife: A Vicious Comeback

th of July celebration. The air was thick with the heavy, cloying smell

ts, and the memory of the Social Club still burned li

ufflinks. "Show your face, Elena. Show them you

ark, churning water of Lake Michigan below. I felt anything but

in

d at th

vintage. She was smiling, but it was a smile that didn't r

ked, tilting her head. "Th

et away from me," I said, my voi

" she

ual flick of her wrist

d across the front o

y, rendering the expensive material translucent. It clung to my skin like a second layer. My bra,

A calculated move to humiliate me in front of the

to her mouth in a flawless performance of

tles cut through the air from the civilian side of the barrier, hungry and

ng myself as a hot, shameful blush scorc

er h

the crowd, a command fi

nchronized. They were already stripping off their suit jackets-

rt of me thought. They're finally

for the heavy wool of Luca's jacket to settle ove

brushed

en glance in

e heavy jacke

d with a deep, tangible concern as he checked

acket over Sofia's shoulders as well, doubling

rough with worry as he rubbed Sofia's upper

ood

e

po

y in the wind whip

lled the wine. They left thei

ing theatrically as she snuggled into the scents of their jacke

o me. They formed a protective wall of broad shoulders

old on my skin, each gust of wind a fresh to

I wa

up a Roman Candle. It was a large tube, industrial-gr

ughed, indulging her like

it th

ght. She laughed, spinning around

stopped

eled th

zy. She aimed the mouth of the c

tly a

nated by the fizzing fuse. It wasn't a prank. It w

as a

zing the danger, but he made no move to lu

o

green fire

exploding in a shower of sparks that stung my face like

o

d one did

the force of a physical blow,

The silk of my dress, soaked in the alc

A

y throat. I slapped uselessly at

The air filled with the sickening scent

rashing, trying desperately to smoth

gh the choking smoke, I

Matteo we

eren't run

pulling her away from the

king her, frantically checking her hands

she was crying, burying her face in his chest, wr

for scratches whi

hesit

eath sentence. And their hesita

d forward and threw a buc

rom my charred flesh. The sudden cold was anothe

was done. My

spinning dizzily above me, breathing in the smell of my own

e one they had just

let m

ashes, Elena

thing cold, hard, and u