A woman mocked for her weight catches the eye of a powerful mafia don who sees her differently from everyone else. As he pulls her into his dangerous world and claims her as his wife, she must navigate rival criminals, judgmental outsiders, and her own doubts about whether his fierce devotion is real.
Every Thanksgiving, the unmarried women in my family went to church to draw lots. A red slip meant you could board your man's boat and get married. A white one meant waiting another year. I'd drawn for ten years.
Every single slip was white. The other women always laughed at me. Marry her? Please! Please.
Who'd want an old, ugly, fat girl like her? The night before my 11th Thanksgiving drawing, I decided to cheat. I grabbed a fistful of red slips and snuck over to my fiancé Vito Marino's house. Then I heard him whispering to his brother Tony in the courtyard.
Make sure Adele pulls a white slip tomorrow. Swap it out. Bella's not well. I'm not leaving her side yet.
Tony sounded confused. What if she snaps and jumps on some other guy's boat? Vito laughed softly, completely sure of himself. Let's be real, look at her.
An old, ugly fat ass? Nobody's stepping up for that but me. Relax, Tony. The girl buys whatever I sell.
Once I get Bella on deck, just tell Adela her grandma had a heart attack. She'll run right back home.