KINSELY

Later that evening, the mafia ladies come over. Yes, I called them what they are. I can't believe they chose this life. I have a ton of questions for them.

I sip my water, then place the glass on the black marble countertop.

Standing from the plush black leather stool, I grin from ear to ear. "Hello ladies, welcome to my home. It feels weird saying that."

"Kinsley," Sierra sings, pulling me into a hug. "I love your name. I just had to say it even though it's not called for."

We burst into laughter.

"It's good to see you again." She smiles.

Emoni hugs me next. "We're going to have a blast."

Carmen laughs. "You aren't ready for our level of crazy."

Lexis shakes her head. "I apologize now. There's nothing that can prepare you for us."

I giggle as I hug Nadine last.

"Lexis is right," Nadine says, stepping back. "Wine will definitely help you swallow what we have to say a lot easier."

"That sounded a little dirty, Nadine," Carmen says. "I thought we were easing her in. Or are we ripping off the band aid?"

Silence fell around the room.

"Fine, I'll do it." Carmen walks to the sink to wash her hands. The other girls hustle over to wash theirs too.

I sit at the counter, wondering what they're going to say.

"Ok, first off, welcome to the four families," Sierra says.

"My husband's grandfather brought the mafia to Jersey. So the Magarellis are the head of the mafia family. There were five families, but when my husband returned from the dead, he killed all the Bertozzi men."

I'm sure my mouth hangs open between sips of wine. What in the hell?

"My husband left the life years ago to keep a mafia war from taking place. When I met him, I had no idea Jeff was in the mafia. That's the name he went by because he started over in Portland. When the shit hit the fan, Jeff A.K. A Dillon's enemy kidnapped me. If you"re ever taken, make sure you're ready to fight. Keep a little pin in your sleeve so you can escape. I wish I had done so. However, Dillon rescued me. I was in denial for a while. Like I was a hot mess. I didn't sign up to marry the next alleged mafia boss of the Magarellis." She shakes her head.

"Then to learn I have to become the Donna of the crime family. Also, once you're married, there's no getting out. A divorce will never happen. This is the mafia."

My heart lurches in my chest. I remember Wendell laughing when I said I'd be here for five years.

"I signed a contract to stay married to Nick for five years."

The girls' laughter fills the kitchen.

Nadine pats my hand. "He knew you couldn't leave the life. There's only one way to leave the mafia."

"Death," we say together.

They peer at me.

"I learned that from watching the Sopranos," I say proudly.

"The Sopranos will definitely give you a crash course in the mafia life," Lexis states.

"The women today are a little different than they were back in the day. I'd say we're more cutthroat." A sinister smile curls Carmen's lips.

"We like to torture packages who flirt with our husbands, then kill them." Carmen flashes an evil grin.

I rise from my seat. "Well, it was nice to meet you all, but I think we're done here."

Their pretty eyes stare at me like a deer in headlights.

"Were the packages too much too soon?" Carmen asks.

"Not too soon. Perfect timing. I was cut open by a mafia woman." I lift my blouse and show them the scar.

Their hands fly over their mouths.

"You see, I didn't know the man I was fucking in college was engaged to another woman. A mafia woman. And I had no idea he was in the mafia."

Nadine"s fingers rub at her temple.

I told them how I found out he was in the mafia. And that he told me about Norah.

"He said their marriage would be on paper only. It was a business transaction. She clearly wasn't hearing what he said because she sought out to kill me. Even though I told Nick I couldn't be with him because he was in the mafia. She didn't know. I'm not sure it mattered either way. She wanted me dead. First, she had six frat boys rape me. And later that night, she sliced me open like a pig. She thought I'd come after her fucking mafia throne," I grit out.

Tears stream down their faces as I tell my story.

"I was saved by a very brave woman. She made sure I was taken care of. I recently found out it was Nick"s sister Natalia who saved my life."

I also told them how I lost my baby.

They gathered around me and hugged me tightly.

Fresh tears sprung to my eyes. Why did I feel so comfortable around these ladies?

They help me to my seat and place a box of Kleenex in front of me.

"When I came into this world, I was so na?ve," Carmen says.

"Dominic was arranged to marry a woman. He called off the arrangement with her. That didn't go over well. She kidnapped Dominic. He would rather die than not have me in his life." She sniffles, lifting her head high.

"I killed that crazy bitch. Sure, the ordeal left me a little batty, but aren't we all special," she laughs.

"When we talk about killing packages. We're talking about women who blatantly disrespect us. We always give women the benefit of the doubt. We don't kill just to do it. These women know exactly why they're on our tables," Lexis adds.

"In my case, the woman was upset and hurt. He didn't want to marry her. So she sought out vengeance," Carmen says.

"My husband keeps me in a castle because his ex-best friend who raped me has a twin brother and my doppelg?nger is out there somewhere, ready to kill me."

I take her hand in mind. "I'm so sorry that happened to you."

"Thank you," she replies.

"I got my revenge. Were you able to get yours?" Lexis asks.

"I was able to take care of one. He was handled Dexter style."

They cheer and raise their glasses.

It felt good to rejoice over killing that asshole.

"Natalia has the other five imprisoned. They"re getting fucked several times a day by some guy named Raulo. This has gone on for ten years."

They clap and cheer.

"Nick and I will take care of them once and for all. Torrance Aiello ordered his daughter to kill me. He has to fucking go," I snarl.

Carmen stares into my eyes. "There's the bad bitch."

I smile wide. "I am a bad bitch."

Bringing the glass to my lips, I sip. "Nadine, I was told when Tony was unconscious you had to handle business for him."

She reclines in her chair, stretching out her nude stiletto. "Yup, I was in college dating a mobster. I was so love struck. Nothing could've prepared me for this world. On our first date, he carried out a fucking hit."

The girls laugh.

I'm all ears. It's like listening to an episode of the Sopranos.

"I had it bad for his dick. After we performed a hit, I liked to fuck him while a vehicle we set fire burned in the distance. Dating Tony was a rush. When he got hurt on a job in Italy, I had to put my big girl panties on. I delivered a package to Sergio, the mafia boss, at the time. Nothing is more intimidating than sitting across from a man like him. He's actually the best guy ever, but at the time I was nervous under it all."

"You ladies are total badasses," I gush.

Sierra squeezes my arm. "So are you. Now let's go over Donna business. At your reception next week, we'll have a small ceremony to welcome you into your role as the Donna of the Pitucco mafia crime family."

They made it all sound fun. Even though none of the ladies knew about the mafia beforehand, they love their lives.

"It's too bad you can't join us on our Assassins and Mob Wives girls" trip," Emoni says.

My eyebrows shoot up. "You ladies know assassins too?"

"We do. We'll need another bottle of wine to tell you about our whole crew. And who knows, maybe you'll be able to join us on an adventure," Sierra says.