ANMELDENDaphneDinner is louder than I expect, plates passed around a table that's clearly seen decades of meals exactly like this one, Hulio telling a story about a horse that got loose during a storm years ago while Grandma interrupts every few sentences to correct a detail he's apparently gotten wrong every single time he's told it."So." Grandma turns to me between bites, eyes sharp with genuine curiosity. "Tell us about your family, sweetheart. Where are your people from?""It's just me and my brother, honestly." I set my fork down. "Our mother died when we were young. I don't really have much family beyond him."The table goes quiet for a beat."Oh." Grandma's hand finds mine on the table, warm, immediate. "That's very sad, sweetheart. I'm so sorry.""It's okay. It was a long time ago.""It doesn't matter how long ago." Hulio's voice carries a gentleness I haven't heard from him yet tonight. "You're a Macini now. And in this family, we take care of our own. Whatever you need, who
Daphne“Julian, we’re on a horse.”“I’m aware.”“Maybe we should get down.”He ignores me and doesn’t stop Crystal. He only slows her to a steady, rolling walk, reins loose in one hand while the other stays under my skirt, palm hot against my thigh. The field stretches out around us, gold and open, the tree line far enough that no one could truly see… except they could. My heart is already racing before he’s done anything more than pull me tighter against him.Then his hand leaves my thigh and presses firmly between my shoulder blades, pushing me forward. I fold over the front of the saddle, chest against the leather, arms bracing on either side of Crystal’s neck. The new position forces my hips back, ass arched high toward him, skirt already rucked up around my waist.“Hold still.”“Julian.” I glance back at him, then past him toward the farmhouse. “Your grandparents could see. Hulio is right there on the porch.” I can see Hulio from here. He’s doing something with the woodpil
DaphneJulian's phone buzzes against the desk before either of us says anything else, and he glances at the screen, jaw tightening slightly."I need to meet someone." He pockets it, already reaching for his jacket. "Out at the ranch. Business, nothing that concerns you.""I want to come.""Daphne—""I just got married in a ceremony that lasted four minutes, and my wedding night is apparently a business meeting at a ranch." I cross my arms. "I'm coming."He studies me for a second, and something close to amusement tugs at the corner of his mouth.“Fine.”I follow him outside.One of his men moves toward the car, reaching for the driver’s door, but Julian takes the keys from him.“I’ll drive.”The man hesitates. “Boss…”“None of you are coming.”His men exchange a quick look before stepping back.I stare at Julian as he walks around to the driver’s side.That is unlike him.He rarely goes anywhere without at least one of his men nearby, so the fact that he is suddenly sending all of the
DaphneThe dress arrives just after nine, a garment bag draped carefully over Layla's arm as she lets herself into my room without knocking, the way she's done since we were twelve."Okay." She unzips it slowly, like she's presenting something sacred. "Simple, exactly like you asked. No feathers, no ten-foot train, none of the stuff you'd normally veto immediately."It's beautiful in its plainness, ivory silk, a clean line from shoulder to floor, nothing about it trying too hard to be anything other than what it is."It's perfect.""This time we're doing it properly." She helps me into it, fussing with the zipper at my back. "No kidnapping. No church full of strangers wondering where the bride went. Just you, actually getting married, with people who actually care about you in the room.""Don't make me cry before my makeup's even done.""Too late, I already see it happening." She laughs, wiping at the corner of my eye before anything actually falls. "Hold still."Lily bursts in halfwa
DaphneThe storefront alone looks like something out of a magazine, gold lettering spelling out Laurent & Cole across polished glass, the kind of place where celebrities get photographed leaving with a single bag like it's an event."I can't believe we're actually shopping here." Layla presses her hand flat against her chest, staring through the window like she needs a second to fully process it. "I've wanted a piece from this brand since I was sixteen.""Today you're not just getting one piece." I pull the door open. "You're getting whatever you actually want. This card doesn't have a limit.""I can't believe this is our life now." She shakes her head, following me in. "We went from barely making rent to this. Overnight. Because of Julian Macini."We're barely three steps inside when a saleswoman intercepts us, eyes moving down and back up all three of us in one dismissive sweep."Can I help you find the exit?""Excuse me?" I stop walking."This isn't a place for browsing." Her tone
DaphneThe car waiting outside is the kind of thing that makes people stop mid-sentence on the sidewalk, sleek and black, a Rolls-Royce Phantom that probably costs more than every house on my old street combined. One of Julian's security men opens the back door for us, and Eli's eyes go comically wide as he climbs in beside me."Daphne." He runs a hand along the leather seat like he's afraid it'll disappear if he doesn't touch it fast enough. "This is insane.""I know."The driver glances back at us through the mirror. "Address, ma'am?"I give him the diner's address, and he taps it into the screen mounted on the dash, a route lighting up instantly across a glowing map that looks nicer than my entire old apartment did.I call Layla while we pull away from the curb."Hey. I'm on my way to get you. Don't worry about coming out, I'll come in.""Oh, thank God." Her voice drops low, clearly trying not to be overheard. "Mr. Hank's on some power trip today, won't let anyone leave their shift







