Mia Figlia

Chapter 32 ✔️

Pov Stella

"Did that insignificant something at least pick out a decent dress or is she going to embarrass us all at the engagement party?" The shrill voice of my future mother-in-law made me remember that this old scarecrow would unfortunately be present at the celebration. I had never hated someone as much as I hated her after such a short time. Her mere existence made my blood boil with anger. The old hag painfully reminded me of my cruel stepmother.

I wondered if Riccardo would allow me to learn to shoot. Even though I had recently said that I never wanted to have anything to do with someone's death again, I would make an exception for his mother and somehow, I had a gut feeling that he would not even mind.

I squinted my eyes and stared at the harpy standing right in front of us. A bullet hole would look nice on her forehead. I took a deep breath, ignoring the discussion that was already brewing between Francesca and the harpy. What was I thinking again? Violence was not necessary. There were other ways to deal with my enemies, and I was determined to prove it right away.

"Define embarrassment for once." My voice was cold, light mockery sounded. "Embarrassment in the sense of letting my tits hang half out of my dress? Or smearing my face almost beyond recognition with makeup? Or drowning out everyone's company with a shrill voice that puts even the most persistent vermin to flight?"

Romano, who was carrying the shopping bags into the house, snorted. Francesca suppressed a giggle with difficulty and my dragon-in-law blushed. For a moment I feared she was about to breathe fire. Instead, she now screamed even more shrilly through the building, so that I braced myself for shattering windowpanes.

"Riccardo! Get your butt over here!"

Hasty footsteps sounded. But it was not the don who turned the corner, but his father.

"What happened, my darling?" He glanced back and forth between those present. He lingered on my face for a moment. I did not bother to look at him kindly. If it had not been for him, we could have saved ourselves all the fuss here.

"Mother," Riccardo's cold voice broke the silence that had developed, "you wanted to see me?" The mafia boss joined me at my side and protectively put his arm around my waist.

"This nothing has offended me," she cried in disgust. Little droplets flew through the air as she did so. Yuck. So, she was drooling, too. Perhaps she should be sent to an old people's home.

"Give me a break." Francesca puffed indignantly, putting her hands on her hips. "You did insult her, didn't you? Stella just asked some questions you did not like! She did nothing wrong." The former boss looked from the housekeeper to me, still trying to read my face. I pinched my lips together and stared stubbornly at his wife, hoping she would go up in smoke under my gaze.

"Mother, I do not appreciate you insulting my future wife. Her intellect is far superior to yours, thus do not mess with her."

"Her what?" The harpy's blue eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open. Grinning, I leaned my head against Riccardo's shoulder.

"I see that settles everything." The former don turned and disappeared back toward the living room, where I could clearly hear the bright voices of some Disney characters. My grin only widened. I could think of one reason why a dangerous Italian mobster would be watching a children's movie.

"You despicable creatures! You are going to lose your laughs." The old witch turned to Riccardo. "I will persuade your father that Isabella will better grow up in my care. You two will only ruin the child." Before I had even taken a breath, the mafia boss took two threatening steps toward his mother.