Free Mob Wedding Mayhem by Ally Gray Page A

the awkward slang. “I need to speak with Caterina about some of the wedding preparations.”
    “She doesn’t have anything to do with that. I’ll talk to you, whaddya need to know?”
    “Well, Mrs.—” Stacy said, then paused.
    “Cantrello.”
    “Oh. Mrs. Cantrello, I have some specific questions for the bride, such as the length of her veil…”
    “Fingertip.”
    “Okay. And her hair?”
    “Updo.”
    “Oh, well, I’m sure that will be lovely. What about…” Stacy racked her brain, trying to come up with a question the older woman wouldn’t be able to answer. “Her ring.”
    “What about it?” the woman challenged.
    “I need to know for the ceremony and the write up in the paper,” Stacy answered smugly. “What cut is the diamond? Are there any bezels? How many carats? Where did the groom propose? Was it a surprise proposal, or did the bride select her own ring while accompanying the groom?”
    Stacy could practically feel the woman’s frustration coming through the phone. There was a lengthy silence, punctuated only by the sound of a flicking lighter and a deep inhale as the woman lit a cigarette.
    I’ve got you now , she thought.
    “Mrs. Cantrello, there is no ring, is there? I’m guessing there was no proposal, either. Am I right?”
    “You have to talk to Nicky about that. That’s none of my concern. I’m just supposed to watch over my niece and make sure—”
    “Make sure what?” Stacy pressed when the woman didn’t finish. “Make sure she shows up for this wedding? Make sure she doesn’t run off with her boyfriend? Mrs. Cantrello… did you know Caterina’s boyfriend is dead?”
    She thought the older aunt had hung up on her, but instead the clattering noise was the sound of the telephone striking the floor. After a few mumbled curse words and some more clattering, the aunt came back on the line.
    “That can’t be true. My brother would never—”
    “But it seems that he, or someone, did, Mrs. Cantrello. You’re awfully calm about this, you know. Something tells me that maybe this isn’t the first time he’s gone to such extreme lengths to get what he wants. Am I right?”
    The sound of sniffling came through the line, followed by a hiccupping sob. “Yeah. That’s how I ended up married to… I mean…”
    Before Stacy could hear anything else, the sound of a loud argument outside the door startled her. She put the phone back in its cradle and waved frantically to Jeremiah to come join her. They both turned and faced the door innocently as one of D’Argenzio’s men shoved his way through it, sending Jorge flying down the hallway and out of sight.
    “You! What are you two doin’ in the boss’ office?” he shouted. Stacy didn’t even have a second to think up a good excuse before the rest of his team sauntered up. Mr. D’Argenzio brought up the rear, strolling casually through the path his men made when they moved aside for him without even being asked.
    “What have we got here, boys? Mrs. Prudell, and a guest?” he asked with a wry smile. “Take ‘em downstairs. You know what to do.”
    “Wait, sir, I was just trying to get a hold of your daughter for her portion of the wedding,” Stacy began, but the father of the bride held up a hand to silence her. All motion stopped for a moment, as if someone had simply pulled a switch and frozen the scene in place.
    “Lady, you had one job. All you had to do was make my daughters’ day special. You couldn’t even do that without sticking your nose in where it didn’t belong. We’re done here.” He flicked his hand and several of his men grabbed Stacy and Jeremiah, pinning their arms behind their backs and pushing them towards a door hidden in the paneling of the office. At the last second, Stacy sprang into action, only managing to slip her college signet ring off her right hand ring finger and letting it fall silently to the carpet as proof that she’d been in that office.
    I hope that’s not the only way they