Chapter Thirty Six #2
With shaky hands I remove my necklace and stow it in my handbag.
I almost remove my engagement ring but hesitate.
No need to cause a scene tonight. Blinking quickly and blowing out a quick breath, I mentally prepare myself to walk in.
After a moment, I push the door open and head inside.
I survey to find the guys are spread across one long couch as Ghost rests in an armchair parallel from them.
A glass of whiskey rests loosely at his fingertips.
Our eyes meet and his softens before going wide.
They trail from my face and dance their way down until they reach the bottom of my dress.
His eyes snap back up and meet my gaze once more before he passes a heated stare.
Like a lion seeing its next meal. I offer him a soft smile in return, contrasting the storming anger threatening its way out.
Knowing I must act normal, I cross the room and lay a soft kiss to his lips before wiping away any possible residue from my lipstick.
He snatches my wrist into his hand before placing my thumb between his teeth and applying gentle pressure.
Finally, he removes my thumb and plants a soft kiss on it.
This interaction would have me swooning if it wasn’t for what I had heard before coming in.
Looking around, I don't find Scarlett anywhere. As if he can read my mind, he speaks.
“She has decided to not attend tonight. She’s not ready and I support her in that.” He states before sipping his whiskey. I nod in response before smiling.
“Ready to go?” I ask way too chipperly.
They all offer some variation of a yes just as they stand.
Making the first move, I turn around and make my way from the room.
I have no idea how I will bring any of this up to Ghost. If he regretted his decision, why not tell me?
Fear of hurting me? Maybe. Nevertheless, tonight is not about me.
It is about him and our alliance. So I carry on as if everything is fine.
Like I don't feel dirty and unworthy of his love. Like I haven’t been betrayed on some intangible level.
We make it to the entryway just as movement draws our attention to one of the staircases.
There stands Scarlett in a very revealing, bejeweled red gown.
This contrasts her usual cool tones. What truly shocks me is her loss of long red hair, that now sits in shoulder length waves.
The group follows the object of my attention just as Ghost breaks the silence, “Scar, I- I thought you weren't coming?”
“Yes, well hiding doesn’t show strength now does it? They need to know that nothing can break a Mikaelson.” She says and for once, since her attack, she sounds strong. Dare I say, stronger than before.
“Like a phoenix rising from the ash…” I say more to myself than to her. This earns me a smile and nod from the red dress beauty herself. I don’t bother questioning her new haircut. Sometimes just changing your appearance can be empowering.
Wordlessly, we walk out to the garage and pile into our respective vehicles.
The drive there is silent. The edge of my words on the tip of my tongue.
They threaten to say all and too much. I choose to remain quiet.
This night cannot go wrong. This will be a historical event in the mafia world.
It will be the representation of peace and justice.
It will show that above all else, we have honor.
I refuse to be the cause of that imploding.
A short time later, we pull up to the event, lights dancing in beams as red carpets lay neatly on the ground.
The flashes of paparazzi cameras are nearly blinding as we climb from our vehicle.
Behind us, Scarlett and the guys appear.
Like a protective cocoon they surround her.
We follow the path that leads us to large open doors.
Stepping inside, the loudness almost immediately stops.
There is marble, chic metal, and drapery from floor to ceiling.
Soft music can be heard from down the hall.
Ghost takes me by the hand, leading the rest of the way.
As we enter the main room I’m in awe. It’s dark and almost seductive.
Tables covered in black and red cloth. Centerpieces of white roses and greenery.
There are crystal vases filled with more greenery, water, and floating candles to light the space.
It’s elegant and enchanting. Hypnotic, even.
Small accents of each of our family’s crests adorn the tables.
It’s the perfect blend of us. The room is already filled with members from each of our mafias.
They almost seem to be naturally segregated to their own sides of the room, sparing the occasional grouping and our own of course.
On instinct, I drop Ghost’s hand. As I have been told some of my family is aware that we claimed the other, but for the vast majority it is still a secret.
Tonight will be a tell all and I would rather not poke that bear before we are ready to fight it.
I look at him and he nods, wordlessly understanding my actions.
That’s the thing about him. He always understands me without even trying.
This is why I am still so confused about his words.
He behaves like nothing I could ever do would make him love me less and then he tells the guys he has doubts.
The tickling of anger brushes its claws at the surface just as he says, “Please, excuse me. I need to speak to a few people before we start. I’ll come find you soon.” I nod at him, giving nothing away.
Without hesitation, I nearly stomp off towards the bar. I ask for a whiskey and just as I’m finishing it off, Lucas appears next to me. I hardly acknowledge him as I order another.
“Is the plan to get drunk tonight?” He laughs.
“Ha-ha. Very funny.” The misplaced annoyance evident in my tone.
“Oh. I wasn’t joking. I just needed to know if we are all acting like fools tonight or not.” He leans against the bar with a smirk and wiggling eyebrows. Against my will, a strained smirk breaks across my lips.
“It’s just- it’s nothing.” I breathe out in frustration. Just as the words leave my mouth Ryon and James appear beside me.
“What’s going on? You’ve been off all night.” James says, holding onto my arm gently.
Hesitating to answer, I look over his features.
I don’t want to ruin tonight. I’d rather just stew than make tonight about me and my issues.
My eyes cast over to Ryon and that’s when my strength begins to waver.
He sports a stern look with his arms crossed.
It’s comical in the way it contrasts his usual goofy temperament.
I breathe out a long breath before responding, “Fine, fine. I heard what Ghost said back at home. About what his traditional family would think of him marrying someone who’s been altered.” They stare back at me in confusion.
“What are you talking about?” James says.
“OH! Ev, he was talking about Scarlett. He’s worried about what his family will think if they find out what happened to her.
They can be very judgmental, even if it wasn’t her fault.
” Lucas states. I stare back at him in shock.
My head turns, searching for her in the crowd until she’s spotted.
She stands there talking to her mother with a brighter smile than expected.
I turn back towards them before speaking.
“But- but what if he has a point? What if my past causes issues with his family? It’s his responsibility to choose the family over all.” My voice lacks its usual robustness. I hate being a human with insecurities.
“Everly, trust me when I say that man will always choose you.” James laughs matter of factly.
“You didn’t see him when he thought you were dead.
The man was a wreck. He didn’t shower or eat for days.
He just laid in your bed, staring at a wall, holding onto your- well, thought it was your- urn.
And Spain?” Ryon says. They all groan in unison.
I give them a look of confusion that pushes him to continue.
“He burnt down a third of Spain, in your name. He was searching for whoever was behind the plane crash. Any building that we knew harbored members of their mafia was locked, with people inside, and burnt to the ground. He gunned down anyone who tried running or fighting back. Ghost wasn’t himself.
There was a disconnect behind his eyes I’ve never seen.
It was almost predatory.” He finishes. I stare in horror.
The idea of him causing so much destruction is unfathomable.
I've never seen him so unrestrained. I’ve heard stories, but I thought they were just that.
Stories. Without having to try, my eyes immediately find him amongst the crowd chatting with an older man in a tailored suit.
“He loves you more than I’ve ever seen someone love another person, Ev.” Lucas says softly.
“Yeah, I guess he does.” I say warmly, still not taking my eyes off of him.
“So when are you guys going to tell her that you love her?” I finally turn back to them, dancing my eyes over each of their faces with a playful smirk.
“That’s… complicated.” Ryon states hesitantly.
“It doesn’t have to be. You all love her in your own way, right?” I ask rhetorically.
“So what’s so complicated about that? It’s not the old days. Polyamory is much more accepted than it used to be. Have you asked her what she wants?” They don’t give me a response so I take it as a no.
“Then have that talk. You won’t be at ease until you know. Don’t possibly withhold yourself from what could be an epic love story.” I push.
“Oh, I think you and Ghost have that covered.” James chuckles softly.
“There’s enough room for love in this world, if you let it. You don’t need permission to be loved or give it. You just need to open yourself up for it.” My words are soft and hopeful. In a way I say it to myself more than them. Knowing I also need to hear the message behind them.
Turning back to Ghost’s direction, I find his previous location replaced with new people.
My eyes scan the crowd dancing from face to face.
The occasional look of disgust is not lost on me.
Understandably so, I am the enemy. I take off into the sea of people, searching for him.
I only make it ten paces before the warmth of strong arms wrap their way around me.
His smell encapsulates me just as his head comes down to plant a kiss in the space between my shoulder and neck, instantly leaving goosebumps in its place.
“Hello, Little Siren. Were you looking for me?” He says against my skin.
“Maybe,” I giggle.
“Are you going to tell me what has been upsetting you since before we left home?” Okay, Mr. Mind Reader.
“Oh, just nerves. I’m better now.” I say, hoping he doesn’t pry. I feel his gentle nod after a moment.
“Are you ready to do this or do you need more time?” He asks softly, resting his chin on my neck now.
“I’m ready.” Confidence dancing on my tongue. It’s us against the world it feels.
With that, he takes my hand and leads us to the stage.
I stand off to the side, allowing for him to take his place at the podium.
The room quiets down naturally, as his presence basks loudly within the blinding spotlights.
I can’t help but take in the audience, noticing the various people in the crowd.
His family looks at him in admiration while many of mine stare in unadulterated disdain.
What has me far more intrigued is that our families are not segregating themselves to opposite sides of the room.
Is this tolerance or just a coincidence?
Ghost’s voice echoes through the overhead speakers.
“Welcome and thank you all for coming tonight. To say that having you all here is an honor, well frankly, would be an understatement. Our families have spent over fifty years in a constant state of conflict. Once we were intended to be a united mafia and yet, events made that impossible. I stand in front of you on this stage to make two announcements that will forever change the course of our futures. Firstly, my father was executed for treason four days ago.” The crowd gaps in unison.
He pauses, looking towards Scarlett in the sea of humans.
She nods curtly, offering him a response to a silent question.
“My father, the don, gave his own daughter over to the Spanish cartel to be brutalized. But… not before also partaking in this abuse with her too. Now, his crimes do not stop there! He has long been involved with them, so we came to find out. He directly was at fault for the kidnapping and torture of both me and members of the American Mafia, including their heiress, Everly. He was behind Everly’s eleven month abduction nearly a decade ago.
Not to mention the multiple attacks against myself.
Lastly, he paid for a suicide pilot and faulty plane parts with the goal to kill Everly during a mission he orchestrated.
I understand you may be wondering what our business is with them.
As you all know, we forged an alliance in order to remove the Spanish cartel from the map.
We did that, but not before-” he pauses again, reaching inside of his fitted collar to pull out the pendant I gave him.
Displaying it to the crowd before dropping it against his suit and speaking again.
“Everly and I shared our pendants. This vow was not made impulsively as, frankly, I have loved Everly since the very first time I saw her. I allowed my father and his twisted ways to manipulate me as a young boy. I am a man now as I stand before you. I am your new Don. I am also irrevocably in love with the woman standing next to me. For this reason, I asked her to marry me. I believe that we can unite our families as one. We will stand unified and uncontested. We will find peace and prosperity. My first act as Don is to null the long standing rivalry between families and my second… is to ask that you all welcome your second newest, and for some soon-to- be, Donna.” He turns to me with an outstretched hand, beckoning me forward.
Meeting him at his side, he wraps his arm around me and places a firm kiss on my temple. I smile up at him before taking his place at the podium.
“Hello. There isn’t much more I can say that he didn’t cover.
I am profoundly grateful to be here tonight, in front of you all.
I am even more grateful for those of you that aided us in our missions this year.
We could not have done it without you. As your future leader, I vow to always do what is right.
To have honor and a steady hand. To cut and mend when asked.
To guide and silence when needed. Most importantly…
Morire con onore o farsi tagliare la gola.
Nés par le sang, unis par l’amoure, brisés par l’honneur.
” Die with honor or have your throat cut.
Born by blood, bound by love, broken by honor.
Saying my family's motto first in Italian and finishing with Ghost’s in French.
I look at Ghost with a gentle smile before reaching into my bag to retrieve the necklace made for just this occasion.
Once collected, I place it on my neck and halt long enough for everyone to see the design.
My eyes find him again but this time his expression is nearly shocked.
He takes my hand, bringing to his lips and places a kiss on each knuckle.
There on the pendant sits a mixture of our sigils.
A skull sitting on a bed of lilies, a metallic looking snake wrapping around it before standing in a defensive manner, with the background harboring two French swords.
We nod to one another before exiting the stage and joining our other family members.
The night moves quickly, filled with celebration.
Understandably not every member is pleased but they will come around no doubt.
Simply put, they don’t have a choice. Soon enough the night comes to an end and we make our way out onto the street.
Finding our car, we climb in swiftly. My hand reaches out to collect Ghost’s wordlessly.
So much has happened in such a short period that I find a sort of peace in the quiet.
The ride is otherwise silent, besides the low music that fills the car.
Eventually, we arrive home and head to bed.
My mind is filled with the future and our inevitable wedding.
What flowers I may choose and the number of children we could have.
The design of my dress and the wars we will win.
Sleep finds me quickly as I drift off into Ghost’s arm.
The only place I would ever choose to be.