6. Nico
Nico
6
"Well, don’t you have some congratulations for your father, boys?”
I push the pasta around my plate, glaring at my glass of water, already annoyed. I don’t know what he expects me to say.
“Congratulations. Sir.” I grit out.
My father coming home from his secret trip out of town with a brand-new wife wasn’t unexpected. But the brand-new set of expectations sure as fuck were.
This is bullshit. We aren’t children. We shouldn’t be forced to toe the line like this.
I can’t wait to be Don and command the respect I deserve.
“You’ll fix the attitude before she moves in,” my father booms, slamming his fists against the table.
Moves in. Great.
I take another long drink of wine. My father’s extensive wine cellar may be the only way I get through this entire situation.
I glance over at Enzo for help, but he shakes his head, shoveling food into his stupid mouth as quickly as he can.
To Enzo – this conversation is irrelevant. He’s here because my father chose him to be here.
My brother by adoption. The son of one of Father’s closest advisors. Of course he’s staying quiet. The only reason he’s even here is because he’s loyal to my father. And one day to me. And in our line of business, loyalty is the most valuable thing a person has to offer.
So what does this woman have to offer?
I tried to figure out what I could. This is our empire, after all. No longer solely his. I should be involved in whatever long-term decision making he has plotted in his head. Instead, all I have is a first name and no idea what’s going on.
I hate this. I hate being treated like a child. I hate being in the dark. I hate that things are changing. All of it.
“They’re moving in tonight.”
I choke on my own spit, grabbing my napkin to wipe my mouth.
“I’m sorry, they?”
I had resigned myself to living with the woman. Mary, or Meredith or something suburban like that.
She sounds nice. Normal.
I’d be willing to bet my inheritance that she has no idea who my father is or what she married into. Stupid woman.
Keeping the women in the dark is to be expected to some degree. It’s not like the old days.
Wives don’t typically play a role larger than arm candy unless they are a political match to secure territory or end a dispute.
It’s not uncommon for them to be unaware of the extent to which their husbands go to support their lives. But they are brought in enough to know the basics. If this Mary/Meredith character isn’t even part of our world, I can’t begin to fathom what her purpose is. Why her? What about her has my father all in knots?
“They. She and her daughter are on their way with the movers now.”
I squeeze my hands into fists. Another complication. Something I definitely don’t need. Not this close to graduation. And if she’s a mother, that means another sibling. Another player in the empire.
At least it’s not a son. I cringe at the thought. Killing my stepsibling would be a terrible wedding present.
Not that a girl is much better. Our house is large, but with the number of guards it takes to keep us safe, there’s not exactly room for another sibling. Enzo and I have converted the bedrooms on the third floor into a combined apartment for us. There’s just not room.
I don’t see father allowing the newest Venitti to sleep with the soldiers on the second floor.
Fuck. I swear to God if he thinks he’s going to move her in with us….
It was annoying when Enzo moved in, but we grew close. We had things in common. We had time to build a relationship.
A stepsister.
What the fuck am I supposed to do with that? I’m on the precipice of becoming Don. I don’t imagine that I’ll have a lot of patience for playing princess and painting nails.
It’s not like I can load a clip and take her with me to my first hit.
She’s going to be a liability. We’re going to need to handle her.
“Enzo,” my father says, an edge of warning lacing his tone. “You'll need to move your things out of your room and into Nico’s temporarily. This will allow you to continue your protection duties. Christina will have your room until we find a suitable match for her to marry.” He waves a hand like it’s insignificant.”
Christina.
I bet she’s spoiled. Marrying her off is going to be a chore. Who’s going to want to marry some spoiled little girl?
Someone, hopefully. So I can have my fucking life back.
My irritation with this entire situation finally overflows and I slam my fork onto the table, drawing my father’s gaze.
“Any other surprises you want to tell us about, Father? So far, we’ve got a new mother and a new stepsister, what’s next? Are you going to tell me you’ve knocked the whore up? Put me on babysitting duty?”
My father’s eyes turn flinty, and he takes a long sip of his wine.
“Boy, you’ll watch yourself when you talk to me.” His voice is steely, and I take a deep breath, calming myself.
“Meredith and I fell in love. Her child is now a part of our family. Our world. You, Nico, are going to introduce her to this world. Guide her. You’re about to be one of the leaders in this family and I expect you to act like it. Understood?”
I grit my teeth and glare at my father. After a long moment, I sigh and nod my head.
When I glance over at Enzo, I notice his eyes are, once again, firmly on his plate.
He’s accepted this. My father’s word is law, after all. It’s in his nature to be quiet, deferential, determined, and above all, obedient to the Don.
He’ll make the best consigliere when it’s my turn. But right now, I wish his loyalty was to me, not just the family.
“In fact.” Father pauses to chew his food. “You can find her a husband. Consider it your first official act.”
I stare at him in disbelief. Surely, he must be joking.
Marry off the girl.
I roll my eyes. Great.
My thoughts spin as I consider my options. I could push her off on Alec, he’d marry anyone, but that doesn’t strengthen any relationship.
The Cossi family has had trouble recently. A marriage there could be strategic. Although come to think of it, I'm not sure if he has a son. Maybe a desperate nephew? I need more intel.
A strategic marriage there would be a great way to draw them in line, especially after the betrayal of one of their soldiers.
It’s important to keep them in debt to us further. They need to understand just how precarious their position is.
After nearly fifty years of peace in our territory, the Cossis have been the only family to step out of line. It was and continues to be a huge embarrassment. They owe us. I could make it work to my advantage.
The doorbell rings and I hate the way my father’s face lights up. Jesus. Gone is the stern, furrowed brow of the dangerous and feared Venitti Don. I don’t recognize whatever this is before me.
Is it… love?
I roll my eyes again. Pathetic.
“Go open the door for your new mother,” he snaps.
I huff as I make a show of slowly scraping back my chair.
New mother? Hardly.
I actually never knew my mother. So, there’s no sting from his words, but it's rather the tone and directive that I find grating.
I keep my head high as I walk through the foyer. None of the guards make eye contact. It’s good for them and a pity for me because the one thing that would make my evening better would be a good brawl. Maybe I should challenge Enzo later….
This Meredith lady likely has some bratty teenage daughter who will try to connive or challenge her way into gaining my father’s favor.
Knowing him and the little games he loves to play, he’ll fucking encourage it. This is the last thing I need.
I run a hand through my hair in frustration. I’ll have to make my dominance clear from the start. My father might be Don now, but soon this will be my house, and my family. Everyone will treat me with the level of respect that I’ve earned, or they will risk my wrath.
If bratty stepsister doesn’t want to behave and toe the line, fine. I’ll just marry her off faster.
There’s an answer to every level of attitude.
The doorbell rings again and I quicken my pace, irritated.
On second thought, maybe Alec will be the best option after all. Just get it over with and get her out of my house.
I smirk at the idea. Alec’s been miserable since his ex left him. This would be a boon. A way to keep my cousin happy.
I’d be stupid not to seriously consider it.
I grip the door, schooling my face. As frustrated as I am, the ultimate fault for this situation lies with my father. I don’t make a habit of scaring the innocent. At least not without good reason.
I’m sure whatever grave sin they’ve committed to end up here today, this will serve as more than fair punishment.
“Hi,” I say, opening the door. “I’m Nico. It’s nice to meet you.”
My eyes flick over the two women and all my expectations slip away. The older one pulls me into an awkward hug. I try to return it, but my body is stiff. I can’t take my eyes off the girl who stands beside her.
My Angel.
What the fuck is happening right now?