"Leave," he growled under his breath, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying the weight of a threat. "Go calm yourself down. You've embarrassed yourself enough in front of the guests."
The garden buzzed with elite chatter—the connected people of the Five Families, all watching the spectacle with barely concealed delight.
Bertram and Carmela Marconi quickly stepped in with flutes of champagne, smiling stiffly like puppet masters smoothing over a minor disruption.
"Let's not ruin the evening. Come, everyone—drink up!"
Guests swarmed Colino and Piper with congratulations.
"Cheers to the happy couple!"
"Congratulations to the future Mr. and Mrs. Marconi—such a perfect match!"
Colino had always said he wanted our arrangement to be a "surprise."
He never told a soul about us.
And now?
He smiled like a gentleman, standing next to Piper like she'd always been the promised bride—like the blood debt his Family owed my mother had never existed.
He didn't even try to explain.
She clung to his arm like she belonged there, her fingers curled possessively around his sleeve.