Chapter 2
Augusto
Uncle Damiano, the retired Capo dei Capi, lifts his champagne glass while giving his youngest daughter, Gianna, a loving smile.
“I can’t believe you’re all grown up,” he says, his voice a little hoarse with emotion. “But you are, and today you’ve chosen to marry Riccardo. Thank God. I know you will be safe with him.” Uncle Damiano looks at my younger brother. “I’m proud to call you my son.”
Riccardo smiles at his father-in-law. “Thanks, Dad.”
Some of us chuckle because even though Uncle Damiano is no longer the head of the five families, he’s still one of the most feared men in the world.
“Don’t push your luck,” Uncle Damiano grumbles at him. He lifts his glass a little higher. “To the Falcos and Vitales being bound by marriage.” Then he looks at Dad. “Franco, may our families grow from strength to strength.”
“From your lips to God’s ears,” Dad replies, before taking a sip of his champagne.
When Uncle Damiano takes a seat, Christiano stands up. As the current Capo dei Capi, it’s his turn for a speech.
“The day Riccardo walked into my office to ask for Gianna’s hand in marriage, I felt blessed. I couldn’t have picked a better husband for my baby sister.”
“I’m not a baby,” Gianna mumbles.
Christiano spears her with a stern look. “You’ll always be my baby sister. Deal with it.”
Laughter bursts out in the hall that’s packed full of guests and decorations. All together, the five families amount to twenty-three people. There are also all the underbosses, their wives and children, the guards, and special guests from other crime syndicates and businesses.
This wedding cost a couple of million, so Riccardo and Gianna better make it work. I don’t want to hear anything about a divorce.
While Christiano continues with his speech, Bianca, one of my sisters, leans into me. “Do you have your speech ready?”
“Yes.” I take a sip of my champagne, and when Christiano sits down, I suck in a deep breath as I stand up.
“I couldn’t be prouder of you, Riccardo,” I say as I look at my brother, where he’s seated between his new wife and our mom at the bridal table.
“You’re brave for daring to marry the youngest daughter of the Falco family.
” I wait while everyone chuckles. “But I don’t blame you, brother.
” I turn my gaze to Gianna. “You chose a beautiful, loving, and kind bride, and we’re honored to welcome her to our family.
” Looking at Christiano and Uncle Damiano, I end with, “We will treat Gianna as our own and protect her with our last breaths. Thank you for trusting us with her safety and happiness.”
When I sit down, Bianca pats my forearm. “Not bad.”
I’m one of triplets and was born first, beating Bianca by a minute and twelve seconds. Sienna was born two minutes and forty-six seconds after me. We might be triplets, but it doesn’t stop me from viewing them as my baby sisters.
Riccardo is five years younger than us, and even though he’s the youngest in the family, he’s the first to get married. They waited for Gianna to turn twenty-one before he dared to propose, and the past year they spent planning the perfect wedding and honeymoon.
Tomorrow, they’re leaving for Japan, and then everything will return to normal.
Thank fuck! All the women will finally calm down.
I let out a relieved sigh because dealing with a bunch of frantic women planning a wedding has been soul-suckingly exhausting.
Christiano and I were close to losing our minds, but now we can focus on work again.
The music starts, and I watch as my brother leads his wife to the dance floor in the middle of the hall. Tables line the walls, and we all have a clear view of the happy couple.
Soon, our parents also join them.
When Christiano gets up and walks toward us, Sienna leans into Bianca and whispers, “You dance with him. I have to go to the restroom.”
“Don’t you dare be disrespectful,” I snap at my sister, leveling her with a glare. “You will dance with Christiano.”
Her shoulders slump, and she scowls at me.
Stopping right beside Sienna, Christiano doesn’t give her a choice, and taking her hand, he pulls her toward the dance floor.
I get up and fasten the buttons of my jacket as I lock eyes with Valentina, while Enzo goes to get Bianca.
Once all the Vitales and Falcos are dancing, other couples begin to join us, and the space on the dance floor quickly fills up.
“How’s married life?” I ask Valentina.
She glances at the table where her husband is sitting. “It’s okay.” She takes a deep breath, then looks at me. “You must be relieved that all the wedding planning is finally over.”
I let out a chuckle. “You have no idea.”
The moment the song ends, Valentina excuses herself so she can go sit with her husband again.
I return to my seat and indicate for a server to come closer. After ordering a tumbler of whiskey, I watch as the families mingle.
When Bianca sits down beside me, she lets out a chuckle. “Sienna is not happy at all.”
I frown as I watch Christiano and Sienna. “Did something else happen the past year between her and Christiano that I’m not aware of?”
Things used to be good between them, and there was talk of marriage, but then she called things off with Christiano, saying she didn’t love him anymore.
They were still friendly with each other, but for the past year, it feels like their friendship has taken a turn for the worse. Whenever I see them together, they fight.
Bianca shrugs. “Whenever I tell her it’s clear as daylight the man has the hots for her, she changes the subject. Our sister is a closed door when it comes to Christiano.”
The song ends, and I watch as Sienna tries to pull away from Christiano, but he tightens his arm around her waist and shakes his head at her.
I don’t know what he says, but it makes her lower her head, and when I see the sad look tighten her features, my eyes narrow.
I respect Christiano and love the man like a brother. He always treats Sienna well, so I don’t understand what she has against him. There are hundreds of women in New York who would give a body part for a chance at marrying the head of the five families.
But not my sister.
“Do you think it’s because she’s three years older than him?” I ask Bianca.
“Nah. Looking at Christiano, you wouldn’t say he’s younger than us.” We keep watching them, then Bianca sighs. “He’s good-looking and powerful, but maybe that just doesn’t do it for Sienna.”
The server brings my drink, and while I sip on it, my thoughts turn to work.
We’ve all gathered at my parents' house for breakfast, and after we’re done eating, Riccardo and Gianna begin to say their goodbyes.
I wait by the car that will take them to the airport, watching as Mom hugs Riccardo four times before Dad pulls her away so my brother can finally step out of the house.
As Riccardo comes toward me with Gianna’s hand in his, I smile. “Have fun in Japan. If you need anything, call me.”
Stopping in front of me, he nods. “Thanks, Augusto.”
I grip his shoulder, giving it an affectionate squeeze. “Be safe.”
He nods again.
“You go nowhere without the guards,” I remind him.
Riccardo gives me an impatient look because he’s heard all of this a hundred times before.
Knowing it will piss him off, I ruffle his hair before giving Gianna a hug and whispering, “Take care of him.”
“Don’t worry. I will,” she assures me.
I press a kiss to her temple, then pull back so I can look at Riccardo again. “I love you.”
His features soften. “Love you, too. Don’t burn down New York while I’m gone.”
“Can’t make any promises,” I say with a chuckle. “Let me know when you land safely in Tokyo and check in with me every day.”
“I will,” Riccardo assures me.
I watch as they get into the car with the two guards I’ve arranged to accompany them on the trip.
We don’t have any enemies in Japan, so I’m not too worried about their safety. Even though it’s the Yakuza’s territory, we’ve never had any business dealings with the group, and I’m sure they don’t even know who Riccardo and Gianna are.
The family gathers behind me to wave at the newly married couple as the car heads down the driveway.
Once they’re gone, Mom asks, “Who wants coffee?”
When my sisters head back into the house, I say, “I’ll have some, Mom.”
She gives me a smile, but I see the worry in her eyes when she asks, “Riccardo will be okay, right?”
“Yes,” I answer as I wrap my arm around Mom’s shoulders. Even though she’s almost sixty, she doesn’t look it. With her blonde hair and green eyes, Mom is still as beautiful as when I was a kid. “Stop worrying,” I tell her. “He’s a married man of twenty-seven.”
“It doesn’t matter how old he is. He’ll always be the baby in the family.”
After we step through the open sliding doors and into the living room, I let go of Mom and take a seat across from Dad.
As soon as Mom is out of hearing distance, Dad says, “It’s hard for her. Be patient.”
I nod, then ask, “How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine.” He lets out a sigh, then asks, “How’s business?”
“Good. I just handled a big shipment of medical supplies for Salvador and Lina, and we’ve transported three hundred and fifty million in counterfeit notes and goods to South America and Europe the past month.”
“That’s very good.” Dad gives me a proud smile. “And Paradiso?”
“Everything is running smoothly at the club.”
Dad is very sentimental about Paradiso as it played a role in him and Mom getting together. I was sixteen when they told me how Dad tricked Mom into falling in love with him. I still hear her call him her mystery man at times.
Mom comes into the living room with a tray, and once we’re all sitting with a mug of coffee, I ask, “So what’s next, now that the wedding is done and over with?”
Mom grins at Dad before looking at me. “We’re going to Seattle to visit your grandparents.”
It will do Mom good to see her parents again. It’s been a while.
“How long do you plan to stay in Seattle?” I ask.
Mom shrugs, giving Dad a questioning look. “A month?”
Dad nods. “Yeah. A month is good.”
I glance between my parents. “When are you leaving?”
“Thursday. There are a few things I need to take care of before we can go,” Mom answers.
I enjoy some of the coffee before I say, “Just let me know when you land safely in Seattle and check in with me every day.”
Mom rolls her eyes at me. “Of course.” She gives me a loving look. “When are you taking a break?”
I shake my head as I set the empty mug down on the coffee table that’s situated between the couches.
“Not soon. Work is too busy.” I climb to my feet and walk the short distance to them.
Leaning down, I press a kiss to Mom’s forehead before shaking Dad’s hand.
“I have to run, but I’ll see you before you leave for your trip. ”
“Be safe out there,” Dad says.
When I exit the house through the sliding doors, I signal to Lorenzo and Raffaele that we’re leaving. I grew up with both men, as their fathers worked closely with Dad until they retired, which means I trust them with my life.
Currently, Raffaele is standing in as my underboss until Riccardo returns from his honeymoon. I haven’t told my brother yet, but he’s taking over as my second-in-command. It’s time for him to start learning the family business.
Lorenzo is my personal guard, and I don’t go anywhere without him. His father, Milo, named him after a close friend who died taking a bullet for him while they were protecting Dad.
There’s so much history between my men and me that I’ll never question their loyalty to the Vitale family or the Cosa Nostra.
When we climb into the G-Wagon, Raffaele asks, “Where to, boss?”
“Paradiso, then Vitale Health, then the warehouse.”
“You know it’s Sunday,” Lorenzo grumbles.
I glance at him where he’s sitting in the passenger seat while Raffaele is behind the steering wheel. “Your point being?”
“Some people rest on Sundays,” he says. “Especially after attending a wedding that only ended in the early hours of the morning.”
“Are you telling me you’re tired?” I ask, my tone playful.
He scowls at me from over his shoulder. “Aren’t you?”
“No,” I reply, even though it’s a lie. Lorenzo slumps back into his seat, not looking happy. I let out a chuckle as I say, “We’ll be quick so you can get your lazy ass home.”
“Hungover,” he corrects me. “There’s a difference.”
“Next time you won’t drink so much,” Raffaele says.
Lorenzo raises his eyebrows. “You drank more than me.”
“Yeah, but I can handle it, unlike you.”
I listen to two men ribbing each other as we drive toward the club.
Honestly, I’m exhausted and could do with a nap, but there’s no time.
Riccardo better enjoy Japan for the both of us.