The Negotiator's Final Price

At my daughter Stella's baptism, my husband Tanner's childhood sweetheart publicly humiliated me.

"Hey, Trinity. I heard things are a little... loose down there after you had the baby."

"If it's that bad, you should get it stitched up—can't be spoiling Tanner's fun, can we?"

Tanner shot her a playful glare, his voice exasperated. "Cut it out, Gia! You've had too much to drink."

Then he turned to me and shrugged.

"She's just like that—we grew up together. She has no filter, but she doesn't mean any harm."

Gia gave a little shake, making her cleavage jiggle, and pouted.

"Oh, come on, don't take it personally, Trinity. To be honest, I'm actually a little jealous of you."

"See, I have the opposite problem. I'm too tight down there—it hurts like hell when I get my period. I wonder which lucky guy will get to enjoy that someday."

Then she shot a seductive look at Tanner and winked.

"Oh, right. You've had a taste, haven't you?"

A dead silence descended on the room. Every eye darted toward me, alight with barely concealed curiosity.

I set down my wine glass, a slow smile spreading across my face as I met Gia's gaze with feigned concern.

"That's odd. When I was signing the checks for your... procedures, I don't recall telling the doctor to make you quite that tight."

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1

Amid the stunned silence, someone finally let out a bark of laughter.

"Damn, Trinity's got a sharp tongue! That's the first time I've ever seen anyone shut Gia up!"

Others chimed in, cracking jokes to cut the tension.

Tanner seized the moment, wrapping an arm around my waist and whispering in my ear, "Gia didn't mean anything by it. You know how she is—no filter. Why'd you have to go for the throat like that?"

Then he turned to Gia, his voice softening with affection. "See? That's what you get for running your mouth. Trinity put you in your place. Now, go on and apologize."

Gia swallowed whatever she was feeling and raised her glass to me.

"Alright, alright. You got me, Trinity. You've got a hell of a mouth on you."

"Look, I basically grew up with these guys—we've known each other since we were kids. They talk about everything in front of me, no holds barred."

"I just got carried away. Don't take it to heart, okay?"

One of Tanner's friends quickly jumped in to smooth things over. "Exactly! Trinity, you're the family's chief negotiator—you're above this playground stuff."

"She's basically one of the boys, just in lace panties! Ha!"

Another wave of laughter rolled through the table. Gia played along, puffing out her chest. "Oh, please. With this body? You guys have gotten more than your fair share of an eyeful."

She turned to me. "Trinity, what do you think of this necklace? It's the most expensive of Tanner's recent gifts, isn't it?"

Tanner muttered under his breath, "That's enough, Gia."

I glanced at the gaudy diamond necklace on her chest—expensive, but tasteless—and my lip twitched.

Of course it is. I signed the check.

I spoke again, my voice carrying clearly across the room.

"Gia, if you're truly experiencing that 'unique sensation' you described, it sounds suspiciously like a cheap trick I've heard the girls at the downtown clubs use."

"In serious cases, that sort of thing can bring nasty diseases back into the family. I strongly suggest you see a professional and get yourself screened."

I made sure I was loud enough for the Capos at the next table to turn their heads.

Tanner shot to his feet.

"Trinity. Outside. Now."

The heavy wooden doors shut out the noise of the banquet hall. The terrace was much quieter.

Tanner yanked at his tie impatiently.

"What the hell is your problem? You called her dirty in front of everyone? You completely humiliated her!"

I rubbed my wrist where he'd gripped it, leaving a red mark.

"She's the one who had the nerve to bring up your sex life at my daughter's baptism, wasn't she?"

A flicker of guilt crossed his face.

"I knew it. You're still pissed about last night. We were playing Truth or Dare. We're all adults—we make jokes like that. It's not what you think."

I sneered. "Tanner, you're pathetic."

His eyes went cold, his jaw tightening.

"Do you have to make everything so damn ugly?"

"Gia was right—you've become impossible since having the baby. That's all she meant."

His words stung like a slap. I was about to fire back when a sharp, piercing cry erupted from the banquet hall.

I shoved past Tanner and ran back inside.

When I burst through the door and saw the scene, my blood ran cold.