“Don’t talk,” she said to Nico over her shoulder.
“Not unless I’m asked a question.” He straightened his tie and smoothed his jacket before following her inside. Luca and Frankie joined them in the hallway along with the three armed Cordano guards who had followed them up the walk after patting them all down for weapons.
“Don’t overreact. Dante’s not the bad guy here. He might act a little officious because he’s in charge while Papà is away, but he’s nothing like my father.”
Nico’s jaw tightened, and she could see his pulse throb in his neck. “He beat and branded your sister, caused you to suffer, and didn’t intervene when your father tried to force you to marry my cousin.”
Mia turned to face him as one of the guards closed the door. “I know you can keep your cool under pressure. You saw my Dodgers tattoo, and I’m still alive.”
Nico pressed his lips together. “If he touches you, or hurts you in any way, or if he says anything…”
She took a deep breath, and then another. “Maybe we should have met with your family first. I have a feeling this isn’t going to go very well.”
“It’s traditional to meet with the bride’s family first,” Nico pointed out.
“It’s not traditional to elope.” Mia sighed. “At least my father isn’t here. He’s not due back from New York until the end of the week.”
“Mia, darling.” Mia’s mother walked toward them. She wore a cream sheath trimmed with gold, her hair perfectly coiffed, gold jewelry sparkling on her fingers. Impeccably dressed, as usual. “You didn’t tell me you were coming to visit.” She kissed Mia’s cheeks. “Is Kat with you?” Her face fell when she saw Nico and his crew by the door. “You didn’t tell me we were having company.”
“This is Nico.” She hesitated, unsure how her mother was going to take the news. “Nico Toscani.”
When Mama didn’t react, she continued to babble. “We’re married. I married him. I have a ring.” She held up her hand, but her mother still didn’t move.
“Mama?”
“He’ll kill you.” Mama’s face twisted in horror. “This time your father will kill you. How could you do this, Mia? It will be a matter of honor. You were promised to Tony Toscani.”
Mia felt Nico’s warm hand against her back, a small gesture of support that gave her strength. “He is a Toscani. He’s Tony’s cousin. Papà agreed to give the Toscanis a Cordano woman, and we’ve honored that agreement, but in a way I chose.”
Mama’s eyes went wide with shock and her face paled. “Dio mio. Tell me you’re joking. Nico Toscani? And is he here to…?” She backed away. “Your father isn’t here.”
“He’s just here to meet you and Dante, Mama. He isn’t going to kill anyone. He’s very civilized.”
Nico chuckled and leaned in to kiss Mama’s cheeks. “Piacere di conoscerla—It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“E Lei—And you,” Mia’s mother said stiffly, but there was no warmth in her voice.
“I called Dante’s office and they said he was here. Is he in the study?” Mia had mixed feelings about introducing Nico to Dante, mostly guilt. Although Dante had done some terrible things, he was still her brother, and she had sworn to take his secret to the grave. But she felt sick hiding the truth from Nico. From what she had seen, Nico was a loyal, honorable man and breaking his trust was probably the one thing that he would never forgive.
Mia’s mother’s face smoothed to its usual implacable mask, and she transformed from horrified parent into the perfect hostess in a heartbeat. She clearly had more to say, but she was too polite to express her views in front of Nico.
“Yes, he is. Would your guests like to eat? I can make a little something.”
Of course Nico and his men perked up at the offer of Italian home cooking, but Mia wanted to get in and out of the house as fast as possible. She’d never seen her mother react to a situation with anything less than perfect decorum, and it put her on edge.
“Not today. I just wanted to see Dante, and then we have to go.” She took a step forward, and Mama grabbed her arm, drew her aside. “Is Kat safe? Where is she? I want to talk to her.”
Disconcerted by her mother’s harsh whisper and the firm grip on her arm, she pulled away. “She’s fine. And safe. Much safer than here at home where she has no one to protect her.”
Her mother glanced over at Nico and Luca, engaged in conversation, and lowered her voice. “There was nothing I could do.”