I’m going to be the wife of a consigliere. Dante’s wife. Even though my father, Elio, and Zano are dedicated soldiers, it’s rare that this would happen. There are statuses within Nostra Casa. It’s unheard of for the daughter of an underboss to marry a consigliere. It’s possible for a soldier’s daughter to marry as high as an underboss, but never a consigliere. I can’t even count Olivia, Sebastian’s wife, because it’s said that the match was made to solidify the truce between La Famiglia and Nostra Casa.
In fact, I hate those snobby bitches who think they’re better than us because their husbands have a higher ranking in the family. We’ve been invited to weddings and formal occasions, and I hated them all because the young women and their mothers knew their station in Nostra Casa and made certain that Mamma and I knew ours.
They wouldn’t be outright rude, but the little digs were apparent, or the condescending looks that said consider yourself lucky to be in our presence. It took all I had not to slap them silly. I was so close once that Mamma had to feign a migraine and take us home before I lost my temper.
“I knew that red hair would be the death of me,” my mother had said. “Bella di mamma, please, you must control that temper of yours. It will only cause trouble for your father and brothers.”
“That fluffy-haired diva basically called us trash. I couldn’t care less what they think of me, but nobody does that to my mom,” I growled.
“What did you do?” My mother knows me too well.
I shrugged. “Nothing that gravity won’t take care of.”
Then more firmly, she asked, “Elena, what did you do?”
“You know that wobbly chair they wanted to put you in? Well, I switched it with hers, that’s all.”
“That’s not so bad.” Mamma sighed a breath of calm. I didn’t tell her that I loosened the screw even more when they were all busy gossiping and made sure to switch the chair with that of the queen bitch, Magdalena Pesca. She’s the wife of an underboss and was the mother of the bride at that dang shower we were forced to attend.
In my defense, I was in my early teens when I did that. Since then, I’ve learned how to restrain myself in these situations, but my first reaction is always to try to get out of these events altogether. My parents consider it an honor to be asked, and of course, we all go as a united family.
So how the heck am I going to fit in with that crowd? With my flaming red curls and distinct violet eyes, I’m nothing like the dark-haired beauties or fair-haired models who have been groomed since birth to marry a consigliere.
Words didn’t need to be spoken on our way home last night. Papa walked a little taller, his grin a little brighter, and his heart lighter, all because this means that all his sacrifices in his early years are being rewarded with his sons climbing the ranks and his daughter marrying the last remaining single Viale of the trio of brothers.
I haven’t even bothered to straighten my hair. Instead, my vibrant curls cascade down my back. I’ve pulled the front off my face and have fastened the rest with a silver hair clip. I guess I should rejoice that I’m not laden with freckles and have only one beauty mark, at the corner of my mouth. I keep my makeup simple, mascara, blush, and gloss. The usual in my girlie tool kit.
When I come out of my bathroom, I see that Mamma has already laid out the dress she wants me to wear for tonight, a knee-length, deep indigo-colored, form-fitting dress. It’s simple and chic, and she knows that the color will make my eyes pop even more. I could go pick another in my closet and Mamma wouldn’t say a word, but I don’t.
As I’m taking one last look in the mirror, Mamma walks in.
“My baby is so beautiful.” She clasps her hands in front of her chest, and her eyes glisten. “You are going to be an exquisite bride.”
Calling me a bride makes my heart jolt. “One step at a time. After tonight, Dante may decide otherwise.”
“He wouldn’t dare. That would be a betrayal of the worst kind. Reno would be appalled.” Mamma’s expression of disgust almost makes me giggle. Immediately, she sees I’m teasing from the grin on my lips. “What am I to do with you?”
“Just love me.”
“Always have, always will.” Mamma kisses me on the cheek, and at the same time, the doorbell rings. “Our guests and your fiancé have arrived.” Mamma jets off quickly, calling out, “Hurry, Elena. We can’t keep everyone waiting.”
“Be down in a minute.” I take one last glance in the mirror. I’ve been told I’m pretty. Not traditionally elegant, but I’m fine with that. There aren’t that many redheaded Italians, and I once heard men teasing my father that Mamma had a dalliance with the milkman or that I must have been adopted. I was only a kid, but it wrecked me. I cried for hours until my parents found a picture of my redheaded grandfather, and I immediately knew where my coloring came from.
I can’t put this off any longer. The butterflies in my belly are fluttering, but I notice that it’s not fear. Maybe nervous excitement?
The entranceway is empty, but I can hear voices coming from the living room. The distinct sound of Dante’s voice makes my legs feel like jelly. Get it together, girl! I can’t be a blubbering schoolgirl. Cripes! I’m almost twenty-four, only a couple of years younger than Dante.
“She might be climbing out the bedroom window.” That sounds like Sebastian.
“Behave,” a voice tells him sternly. “Must you always create havoc wherever you go?” That must be Olivia. I haven’t had a chance to meet her yet. Whenever Sebastian’s brought her to the restaurant for dinner, I was off somewhere else or studying. She’d also be the only one to get away with talking to him like that.
As I push open the door, all eyes turn to me, but the only ones that matter are Dante’s. He looks me up and down, not leering, but deliberately, like he doesn’t believe what he sees.
“Good evening. I’m sorry if I’ve kept you all waiting for dinner.” I rush out the words. My palms are clammy, and my mouth is dry. Thankfully, Anna, Reno’s wife, comes to greet me, taking my hands in hers, and places a kiss on both cheeks.
Before she backs away, she whispers in my ear, “You look amazing. Dante’s a very lucky man.” When she pulls back to look me in the eyes, she beams a reassuring smile at me, and I manage to return a small one. She then tugs my hand and steps closer to Olivia. “This is my sister-in-law, Olivia, Sebastian’s better half.” Anna looks over her shoulder and gives her brother-in-law a teasing look.
“You wound me.” Sebastian puts a hand over his heart.
“You’ll get over it,” his wife replies. Olivia extends her hand for me to take, and I do. “It’s a pleasure, Elena. I hope we’ll get to know each other well. We’ve created quite a family and are excited to have you and your family join in the revelry.”
“Thank you.” They’re both very sweet and not at all what I expected. After the cattiness of the women I’ve had the displeasure of meeting, Anna and Olivia seem genuinely happy to meet me.
“The dining room is set, and dinner is ready. Shall we make our way to the table?” my mother asks.
“I’d like a moment with Elena before we dine,” Dante says.
Anna and Olivia file out. Papa shuffles Elio and Zano out the door, then gives Mamma a little nudge toward the exit. “We’ll wait in the dining room,” Papa tells Dante, who is still hanging in the doorway.
Reno locks eyes with his brother. There’s complete silence, and yet I know they’re having a conversation that’s all their own. In the end, Dante nods, and Reno makes his way to the door, motioning for Sebastian to precede him. When they reach the door, he says, “Elena is perfectly safe, Dario.” Papa lingers a moment longer, then files out behind them. The door clicks shut, and Dante and I are alone.
The space between us closes in, and suddenly, Dante is standing before me. He’s so tall that I need to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. I swallow deeply, not trusting myself to speak.
“You know why I’m here?”
“I believe so.” My tone is quiet and my voice shaky.
“Do you have any objections to this union?” he asks, but it sounds more like a dare. And I want to scream from the top of my lungs YES! What on earth makes him think I’d fit into the life he has?
Speak now, or forever I will wonder. I clear my throat, choosing my words carefully. “I’m a proud daughter of a soldier, born and raised to know how our world works. I knew one day, my father would present a match for me, and I always hoped this man I would marry would be kind and patient. But I’ve also seen how I’m treated by the other underbosses’ families, and it’s not a pleasant experience.” His eyes become dark when I say this, and I can see that he wants to speak, but I keep going. “It’s not that I can’t hold my own, but why would you want someone by your side who your people won’t respect?”
He watches me for a moment, then with his thumb, he gently caresses the apple of my cheek. “I can be kind and patient. I can also be cruel and deadly. What traits I exhibit depends on how they treat me and my family. I require a wife who knows who she is. You’re proud, educated, loyal, and selfless. What others think doesn’t matter. And if I see anyone disrespecting my wife, I have no qualms about setting them straight. Does this allay your fears?”
“I’m not afraid.” Liar, I yell internally.
“Then why does your heart beat so fast?” He takes my hand and feels my pulse. “Perhaps the prospect of marrying me isn’t quite so bad.”
“No,” I say breathlessly, and just like that, with one touch, I’m lost in his eyes, watching his mouth form a grin.
He lifts his hand, palm upward. I place mine in his, and he slips the teardrop diamond ring on my finger. “Our fate is sealed, fragolina.” He bends his head, and his lips touch the corner of my mouth, right where my beauty mark is. “I’d better take you to the others before I’m tempted to do more than kiss you.”
* * *
Dante
The second she walked in wearing that dress, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. The dress shows off her slim figure and enhances her small perky breasts and her perfectly shaped ass. Although she’s taller than average, the top of her head only reaches my chin. And that mole is flawlessly placed at the corner of her mouth, I couldn’t resist letting my lips touch it. I want to tear her clothes off and inspect every inch of her in search for another delectable freckle to kiss.
I gave her the chance to voice her concerns. It was a fait accompli, despite her objections. I find that I’m irked by the idea of anybody looking down their nose at Elena. It’s pissing me off that after all that Dario has done for Nostra Casa, some of our men aren’t acknowledging his work. Dario single-handedly went into a Russian-owned club, where two of our underbosses were being held and tortured along with several of their men, and went Rambo on their asses. Dario rigged doorways and windows and had our enemies thinking they were under siege by an entire crew of men. While they were going insane trying to defend themselves, Dario snuck in and freed our men. Together, they held our enemies off until help arrived. We took back our men and killed every single last one of those Russian pests.
When I tell Reno that Dario and his family are not getting the respect they deserve, he’ll flip his lid. Now’s not the time, but tomorrow, we’re going to have a long talk.
Now, she wears my ring and belongs to me. She’s not Cara. The two women couldn’t be more different, but one is lost to me, and the other is tied to me for eternity. I search my mind to remember the young, innocent girl I had intended to marry and find the memory hazy.
I lead Elena with a hand on the small of her back. She’s trembling. She may not understand what she’s feeling, but I do. She’s not immune to my touch. I heard the small intake of breath when my lips touched her. Her eyes widened, and she swayed closer. Her body knows passion, and that makes me very happy.
“I hope we haven’t kept you waiting too long,” I announce. “I’ve asked Elena to marry me, and she has agreed.” Gina squeals with delight, rushing toward her daughter and hugging her close. Anna and Olivia gather around and take her hand to see her ring, and the conversation turns to wedding chatter.
Meanwhile, Reno and Dario are shaking hands, and Sebastian, Elio, and Zano gather close to offer their congratulations. Finally, Dario and Reno approach. Reno slaps a hand on my back, and unexpectedly, Dario pulls me in for a manly hug.
“There is no one I trust more than you to look after my Elena. She’s a good girl. Willful, but her heart is pure gold, just like her mamma,” he says.
“I promise to keep her safe.”
Dario moves to the other end of the room to grab a bottle of champagne, and Reno stands with an arm around my shoulders.
“You are officially betrothed, brother,” he said. “How does it feel?”
I raise the champagne flute just handed to me. “Let the future begin.”