"But we only have to worry about Guerra, right?"
"I'm not so sure. We don't know who they might work with." The Guerras have always been insular. While their conflict with the DeVille family is legendary and goes back many generations, their allies have always been a little harder to peg. Generally it's whoever hates DeVille too. I'm almost afraid to entertain the notion that they might be connected with this so-called Chimera.
"Ready?" I turn towards Lina, shaking myself from my musings. Her beauty, though, blows me away. She's wearing a black classy maxi dress that clings to her body. Her hair is slightly curled at the edges, giving her an elegant vibe. She seems rather self-conscious as she nibbles at her lip and pats her dress down.
I stop in front of her and breathe her in.
I don't deserve her.
Hell, I don't deserve any of this.
But she's here, in front of me. And I can touch her.
With two fingers, I tip her jaw up and I see the apprehension in her eyes.
"You're the most beautiful woman I've seen in my life. Don't be embarrassed." Heat travels up her cheeks and gives me a timid smile.
"Thank you." She whispers.
If I have it my way, she'll be hearing that every single day for the rest of our lives. But I know deep down that I don't have that much time with her. And I'll take all I can get.
Oddly enough, the banquet is hosted at the St. Regis Hotel's ballroom. Everything about the affair points to a peaceful event, seeing that it's taking place right in the center of the city. But appearances can be deceiving.
We arrive at the hotel and are escorted towards the ballroom. There's a routine security check that we have to pass through, but then we're good to go.
We're about to enter the ballroom, when someone calls out my name.
"Marcello!" Catalina's hand tightens on my arm.
I school my features and turn to greet my uncle. This wasn't the way I wanted to see him again. I'd been in touch with my underbosses, but not with him. I'm sure he's taken offense at that, with him being the Consigliere and supposedly my right hand. I almost snort at the notion.
"Uncle," I greet him.
"Is this lovely lady your new wife?" He starts in a saccharine voice that's uncharacteristic of him.
"Yes." I respond, and tug Catalina slightly behind me, putting my body in front of her.
"Marcello," Nicolo shakes his head as if disappointed. "you didn't think to invite your family? Imagine my surprise when I find out my nephew," he pauses, "my capo got married and no one in the famiglia was invited." His criticism doesn't get past me. I'd known from the beginning that a small ceremony would raise eyebrows in the famiglia, given their penchant for extravagant weddings. But I couldn't... wouldn't subject Catalina to something like that. Not after what she'd been through. Besides, expediency had been paramount.
"It was rather sudden." I reply, closing the subject. Catalina is off limits. To everyone.
Nicolo narrows his eyes at me but doesn't comment further.
"I'm glad you could be with us tonight." He fakes a cough and walks past us.
"So that was your uncle..." Catalina frowns at his retreating figure. He's come alone tonight, it seems.
"Stay away from him. He's dangerous."
"Why?" She peers at me from beneath her eyelashes.
"He doesn't think I should be capo." I answer grimly. And because of that, I don't know what he's capable of.
"Lina!" Enzo comes at our side. He's looking immaculate as always, dressed in a white suit and a black shirt.
"Enzo." Catalina releases my arm to give him a hug.
"And your wife?" I ask, noting he's alone.
"She'll be here at some point." Enzo shrugs.
Dropping the topic, we head inside the ballroom.
There must be around fifty people inside, all of them highly ranked within the five families. Or four... I scan the room and see that DeVille hasn't shown up or sent anyone on their behalf.
"DeVille's not here."
"Did you expect them?" Enzo raises an eyebrow.
"Not really, but stranger things have happened." I remark, my eyes focusing on the crowd once more.
I zero in on Benedicto Guerra, the current capo. He's in his late forties, but still looking fit. I remember him from back in the day, but I can't say we've had many interactions. Next to him is his brother, Franco, Antonio Guerra's father. He's the one holding my attention because he's the first one who'd like retribution for his son's death.
My gaze moves further, and on each side of Benedicto are his sons, Michele and Rafaelo. I'm entirely surprised to see them calm in each other's proximity. I'd met both of them when I was younger and their enmity was palpable even them. When Francesco had updated me with relevant information about the other families, he'd noted that the brothers' feud had only amplified over the years. They are less than a year apart in age, but they have different mothers. Michele's mother died in childbirth, but she hadn't yet been cold in her grave before Benedicto wed Rafaelo's mother. That probably contributed to the conflict, though it didn't help that Benedicto wants to name Rafaelo as his heir, even though he isn't the firstborn.
"He looks like Father Guerra." I feel Catalina's slight tremble, and I tug her closer to my side.
"He can't hurt you." I tell her and she gives me a tight nod.
At our entrance, all eyes are on us. Franco's lips immediately curl in disdain, and he leans in to say something to Benedicto, who puts his hand up in a stop sign.
Maybe he will keep his brother in line.
"They definitely look surprised." Enzo remarks ironically. He turns his head and notices the Marchesis with his wife in tow. He doesn't look too pleased by that fact, and he signals to us he's going to their side.
"Easy," I whisper to Lina as we step further into the room. She's trying hard to keep her calm, plastering a fake smile on her face.
"We can do this." She takes a deep breath. Just in time for Benedicto to come greet us.
"Lastra. Heard about your brother. My condolences." He extends his hand to me. My body immediately tenses.
"Pleased to meet you, Signor Guerra." Catalina grasps his hand before I can react.
Benedicto seems surprised, but he shakes her hand.
"And you Signora Lastra. I've heard about your nuptials. Too bad it was such a small affair." He adds.
"We didn't want to involve too many people. Just friends and family. Besides, I've heard about your tragedy. Condolences for your loss." I hope my message is received. By being the first to bring up the subject, I can control the direction it will take.
"Indeed." Benedicto narrows his eyes at me, at the same time that his brother makes a go for me. Benedicto's arm shoots out, stopping France from advancing.
"We are all friends here, right fratello?" His voice is tense as he addresses his brother, and he nods. Franco's eyes are still murderous as looks at me, then at Catalina, and I know this is far from over. It's just too public right now.
"Right." Franco reluctantly agrees.
"Why don't you let your wife join the other women, and we can talk some business?" Benedicto nods towards the gaggle of women chatting at a nearby table.