Lost Your Mind novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Rehearsal

Giulia's POV

Dario arrived at the rehearsal dinner with a gift in his hand and an apology rehearsed to the last breath.

Twelve capos sat at the long table with their wives, and Don Ettore sat at the head with a face like a closed door.

Benedetta sat at Donna Livia's side.

The man who had wired the car stood by the wall between two of the Don's guards, and I did not look at him.

Nico sat on my left, his cane hooked on his chair, his hand resting on my knee under the cloth.

"Family," Dario said, and put his palm to his chest.

He waited until the room was quiet.

"I've been a fool. I shamed a good woman in a house of God and shamed my father at his own table. I don't ask to be forgiven."

He turned to me, and I watched his hazel eyes fill.

It was a very good performance.

"Giulia, I'm sorry. I wish you the happiness I couldn't give you."

A few of the older women dabbed their eyes.

"And to my brother," Dario said.

He crossed the room with the small flat box in his hand.

"A wedding present. I found the other half of the pair."

He opened it in front of the whole table.

Inside, on black velvet, lay a silver cuff link with a D on it.

"Now you have two," he said gently. "Wear them both on Saturday. Let the whole city see the Corradi name on your sleeves."

Nico looked at the box.

Then he held his wrists out over the tablecloth, one and then the other.

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