Sin and Redemption

by Cora Reilly

“Why? Why wouldn’t I be able to make reasonable decisions?”

“I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just you and Amo have your reputation. With the parties and the girls. And…”

“I don’t look like husband material to you?” I aske...

“I don’t know. I’m talking...

“I have one request.”

“Sure, anything,” I said.

“I want to live as closely to my parents as possible, so whatever apartment is nearest, I...

“Should I get on my knees?”

I wanted to kick my stupid ass.

The ring was beautiful. If I was being honest, it was more beautiful than the one Paolo had given me. His

Maximus’s choice was more subdued and definitely more my style. The diamond was embedded into the yellow gold band.

“Isabella and my mother helped me pick the right one,” Maximus said.

“How much do you need?” Amo asked without missing a beat.

I grimaced and began shaking my head.

“Don’t be stubborn. I have the money, and it’s not a gift. Maybe one day you’ll have to figure out a way to kill my wife in a very inconspicuo...

loathed Cressida and despised her for having to give up the woman he really wanted.

“Maybe we can convince the owners to go down on the price,” Amo said with a smirk. I grinned. “We should give it a try.”

“The same street?” The joy in her voice told me I’d made the right decision. “Would you like to see it?”

“Don’t fuck up, or Luca will fuck me up” were his last words on the piece of paper he’d handed me this morning.

Primo would definitely kill me if he found out I didn’t follow his instructions.

Primo stepped out on the porch and shook his head with a look of exasperation.

stalked toward me and helped me inside the house. I gritted my teeth when his arm pressed against the burns on my back. He sat me down in the kitchen and returned with a first-aid kit shortly after.

“How badly did you ...

“I didn’t fuck up. I blew up the brewery, and ...

“I’m sure that’s the whole story.” He dumped what felt like a whole bottle of disinfectant over my b...

“Give me a bottle of moonshine.”

“Try to enjoy today, even if it’s not the day you’d originally planned. You only marry once.”

“You married twice,” I said with a teasing smile.

Mom pursed her lips. “You know what I mean.” She paused, narrowing...

“I know, Mom, and I won’t have to kill Maximus with a letter opener. It’s going to be okay.”

“I told you to show you that life can become beautiful even after a bleak time, not so you can make fun of it.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just such a crazy story. It’s just nothing like you. I can’t imagine you stabbing someone or risking an affair with a bodyguard.”

“Your dad and I were always m...

“That’s true. You’re perfect...

“Maybe you and Maximus can be better together t...

“Are you ready to go?”

He froze when he saw me in the dress. “You’re stunning.”

“You look ready to puke,” Amo commented. He was my best man and currently lounging on the sofa,

ignoring the messages from his wife that popped up on his phone.

“Your marriage stories don’t give me much ho...

“Sara isn’t Cressida. She’s lovely, and you’ll soon have a child, so you’re bound...

“It’s time.” Primo sent Amo an annoyed look. “It’s your job to make sure he’s not late to his own wedding.”

Amo got up with cocked eyebrows. “You did before I could.”

“Is he still mad that you picked me as best man?”

I shrugged. He never said it outright, but I was sure he was.

My brother and I were close, not as close as we’d been as kids, because we found different friends as we grew up, and I simp...

Primo was family, and I’d die for him, but I’d always known Amo w...

He bent down and pressed a short, passionless kiss to my lips.

I knew our bond was built on a very shaky foundation, but I’d hoped he’d pretend in public.

He held my hand loosely in his, giving me the feeling that I could pull away anytime.