Snatched Two Husbands, But They Both Remember the Fire Chapter 07

Snatched Two Husbands, But They Both Remember the Fire Chapter 07

Before we got to the house, I could hear her.

Not screaming. A performance. Mama Ross’s daughter. Even cried like a professional.

“Alexander, she’s your sister, but I’m your sister too-”

Luca and I stood outside the door. His hand was on mine. Tight.

I squeezed back.

Alexander’s voice. Stressed.

Then I opened the door.

Sophia’s face went still. Like ice.

She was in pink. Pink Chanel. Pearl earrings. Hair perfect. But her face was red from crying. Her nose was red

too. She looked like a cooked shrimp in her pink suit.

She looked at Luca. At me. At Rocco in the doorway.

Her eyes went red again.

But she didn’t cry this time. Biting her lip. Swallowing it.

“Big sister. Luca is my-”

“No,” I said. “Luca is mine. Remember? It was my wedding.”

“You took my-‘

“I took your what?” I tilted my head. “Rocco? He got in my car himself. Ask him.”

Everyone looked at Rocco.

He leaned on the door. Hands in his pockets. Face like stone.

“Yeah,” he said. Quiet. “I went on my own.”

Sophia’s face lost all its color.

“Rocco-”

“Rocco,” he said. Hard. “Call me Rocco.”

Sophia’s tears ran down her face. Real this time. Couldn’t stop them.

But Rocco wasn’t looking at her.

hilo.

He was looking over everyone. Over the chandelier. Over the flowers. Over her crying face.

At me.

“Also,” he said. Still quiet. Still everyone heard. “I want to be first husband.”

The room stopped.

First husband?

“I gave up three streets. Two docks. And a casino.” He looked at Alexander’s empty chair. “For her.”

*”Her?”* Sophia’s voice was loud. High. Almost broke. “You gave things for *her*? You were supposed to marry *me*-you promised-”

“I did,” Rocco said. “That was last time.”

Sophia froze.

So did I.

Last time?

He knew too.

Rocco walked to Alexander’s chair. Went down on one knee. Looking at nothing.

“Please, Don.”

The room was quiet.

Then Luca laughed.

“Rocco. You’re too late. I’m first husband. You’re second.”

“Late by one day,” Rocco said. Got up. Looked at Luca. Two men close. Something in the air between them. “We have time. Forever. You think one day matters?”

Mama Ross didn’t come.

Too mad. If she came, she’d lose it. If she lost it, she’d show her hand. And Alexander could move against

her.

She’s not that dumb.

Her daughter, though?

Sophia cried and yelled. I took her men. I took her jewelry. Those were family things. Mama Ross gave them

to her.

“Come look,” I said. “My house is clean. Everything you find is yours.”

Everything was gone. Last night I sent it all to Alexander’s vault. Mama Ross took from the family for years.

The jewelry was worth more than my mother’s dowry. More than any dowry should be.

Sophia couldn’t say anything. If she said it was hers, she’d have to say how Mama Ross paid for it.

She just stood there. Red eyes. Wanting to kill me.

“You’ll pay for this.”

Quiet. Like wind from a grave. Then she turned. Heels clicking on the floor.

I watched her go.

Eighteen years of being her punching bag. Felt a little better. Just a little. But enough.

At the door, she stopped. Turned around.

That look. Not mad. Something else.

Cold. Deep. Like a snake going to sleep for the winter.

In the car, Rocco on one side. Luca on the other. Me in the middle.

“Too crowded,” I said. “Someone move.”

No one moved.

“I said move.”

“Him first.” Both of them pointed at each other.

“Forget it.”

I looked out the window. Nothing. Traffic. A screen with a lady on a beach.

“Luca,” Rocco said. “You’re not first husband. Don didn’t say anything.”

“Catalina said.”

“She’s not in charge.”

“Of course she is.”

Rocco laughed. Cold.

“She’s only in charge in bed.”

The room went freezing.

“What did you say?” Luca’s voice was ice,

“Nothing,”

“Can you two go one day without-”

“No.”

Both.

I closed my eyes.

Fine.

I was the reason they fought. That meant something, right?