Chapter 41
Forty-One
NICO
I have never liked Christmas. It’s always been a demonstration of meaningless gifts and uninteresting conversation. Going through the motions of enjoying family, while wishing it was over already.
After breakfast, we meet in the living room where the gifts are heaped under the tree, and as Mom dishes them out to everyone; we unwrap boxes and packages selected by the personal shoppers at Bergdorf Goodman.
None of it means anything, and yet as I sit beside Regina, her gift catches my eye, and a warm feeling spreads through me.
This gift deserves its name because she chose it—for me.
It wasn’t selected by anyone else, and she bought it because she thought I would like it.
I do. I love it, in fact. It’s black, which suits me, and the silver heart represents our situation.
We are engaged, will be married in the new year and what started as an arrangement is turning out to be a different future from what I imagined.
Regina gasps as she unwraps a beautiful fur jacket, and her mouth drops as she says to Mom, “Thank you so much. This is beautiful but way too much. I am overwhelmed.”
“You deserve it.” Mom’s smile is warm as she holds up the Hermes scarf, supposedly from us as a couple, and says thankfully, “I love this. You are both very kind.”
Desiree’s gaze could cut the turkey as she throws imaginary daggers at Regina and as she unwraps the expensive perfume from us, she flings it to the floor and says dismissively, “I’ve already got three of these but thanks anyway, I’ll donate it.”
Vito pretends not to notice the disrespectful comment and booms, “You have outdone yourself, Sophia. You always were the greatest hostess.”
“Thank you, Vito.”
Mom smiles, but I can tell she isn’t enamored of our guest and never has been.
Vito Bendetti came from the streets of Sicily and clawed his way into a rival family.
The Morales mafia was a small operation, but when Vito married Desiree’s mother, it gave him the opportunity to take over.
He was responsible for building it up and moving it to New York when he was driven out by the bigger families in Sicily.
He was always a firm friend of my father’s anyway, and it made sense to align himself with the Raveras in the United States.
Two is better than one, and they built their empires uniting two black souls.
Where my fathers grew exponentially, Vito’s did not, and now he is here out of loyalty rather than equality.
Once the gifts are unwrapped, Mom smiles at the women in the room.
“Let’s leave the men to talk. I have a more lighthearted way for us to spend time before dinner.”
Regina’s smile is brilliant, but her fingers clasp mine firmly, and I whisper, “You will be fine. Mom loves you.”
She says nothing and merely follows the women from the room, and as the door closes behind them, I’m surprised how empty the space is beside me now.
“Nico.”
My father’s voice is gruff, and I swing my gaze to him, my heart dropping at the determination in his expression.
“You will propose to Desiree at dinner.”
The air stills as his eyes flash, daring me to disobey him.
“For what reason?”
My tone is measured, calm, betraying the swirl of emotion building inside me.
“For Desiree to believe that her plan is working.”
“What plan?”
I need facts, and Julius adds, “She is in contact with Flavio Rossi. They spoke only this morning.”
Joseph speaks up. “We bugged her room, and overheard her telling him that the plan was changing. The engagement was under threat, so they must revert to Plan B.”
“Which is?”
“She didn’t say.” Joseph shrugs. “However, if she believes the original plan is working, it buys us time to discover what Plan B is.”
“So you want me to humiliate Regina.”
My tone is sinister because the fuck I’m doing that, and Simeon snaps, “You should never have brought her here in the first place.”
I make to stand, to teach him the perils of calling me out on anything, and as he half rises to meet me, my father growls, “Enough. I will speak with Regina. The engagement to Desiree must be announced, and that is a direct order.”
Vito’s smug expression causes my trigger finger to itch because as long as he keeps my father on side, he will agree to anything. All he wants is a family tie between our families, and he will be loving this latest turn of events.
I am now caught in a web I can’t escape from. Family is everything to a Ravera, and Regina is not blood. She is disposable. I understand how it works, and yet the idea that she will be hurt, humiliated and surplus to requirements causes me more pain than I imagined.
My mind races as the conversation turns to Joseph’s acquisitions in London, and Julius leans over and whispers, “Go along with it for now. It won’t involve a wedding. I can promise you that.”
If that’s the only thing bothering me, I would count myself lucky, but I’m shocked to discover that Regina’s welfare is my main concern. I can’t do this to her. I won’t do this to her, but I have no choice. This is bigger than both of us, and if only I could speak to her first, this could work out.
Simeon surprises me by heading my way and nodding toward the bar in the corner of the room.
On autopilot, I follow him, and as we hover near the brandy decanter, I reach for two glasses, and he whispers, “Desiree is being used by the Rossis. I have learned under the radar that the Rossis are planning a massacre, and it appears that your wedding is the time and the place. She is convinced that he loves her and will spare her life, but as we know it, she will be the first one to go.”
“How do you know?”
“Contacts.”
“Do you trust them?”
“I trust my own ears.”
His smile is sinister. “Georgia Rossi was an easy target. One night in my bed gave us the opportunity to bug the Rossi stronghold.”
“How?”
I’m amazed at the way my brother extracts his information, and he grins.
“If you considered Desiree was a loose cannon, you haven’t met Georgia.
She thrives on adrenaline, and fucking me in her brother’s bed when he was out of town turned her on to the point of madness.
While I had that pleasure, my men were installing the software, and all of our information has come from her shocking disregard for her family’s safety. ”
“I’m impressed.”
I’m not lying; I am because Simeon never fails to deliver the goods, and his methods are admirable.
As the brandy splashes into the glasses, he whispers, “Regina will be fine. She’ll consider it a lucky escape when the don has a word, and for three days’ work, she’ll earn more than she would in her lifetime.”
Rage is boiling inside me to the point of eruption, and I hiss, “Regina will be my wife, and that will not change.”
“But–” He appears confused and I say through gritted teeth, “You think I’m using her to play the don for a fool?”
“Yes.”
He shrugs, and I resist hurling my fist into his smug mouth as I growl, “I am not using her. I am not messing around, and her well-being is the most important thing to me right now, so whatever happens in the near future is unfortunate but will not destroy my plans concerning her.”
“I’m sorry, Nico.” He has the grace to apologize. “I never thought you would actually catch feelings for any woman.”
“Feelings?” I raise my eyes. “I never said I had feelings for her, Simeon. Regina is mine, and that is all the feelings that count.”
“I understand.”
An amused smile lights his lips, and he grins.
“Keep on telling yourself that, Nico. Sure, she’s your possession to pick apart to the bone until there’s nothing left.
I get that. It would be an amusing pastime for any of us, and now I know your intentions, I’ll make sure she is delivered back to you in one piece. ”
Words are unnecessary now, and I couldn’t give a shit what he thinks this is. I want Regina for every part of her, and if I have to marry, there is nobody else qualified for the job.
The shot of brandy burns on its way down, and I slam the glass on the bar and say roughly, “Excuse me.”
However, before I leave the room, my heart drops when my father’s chair is empty and every pair of eyes is trained on me, telling me that I’m too late. I fell into the trap, and Simeon’s distraction tactic is the oldest trick in the book.