32. Antonio
Chapter thirty-two
Antonio
M y expectation for the CFP dinner was incredibly high, especially considering the new location, but it’s been such a drag. It usually is, and we’re doing just as much shmoozing as we usually do, but for some reason, it feels more exhausting.
I don’t know if it’s the fact that I have more eyes on me because of Theá or because my anxiety is on high alert as I wait for Gabriel to make his appearance. Maybe it's because every single client I haven’t been able to see for the last year suddenly needs to speak to me, and my dear brothers are conveniently nowhere to be found.
I have not had a single second to myself, or for Theá, since we got here.
Although, I’m not sure she’s noticed my absence—the girls seem to be keeping her occupied. I’ve seen them chatting and walking around taking pictures, completely disregarding everyone else—Ambrose included, who now happens to be sulking at our table.
Theá’s eyes catch mine, and they soften slightly as she juts out her bottom lip in a pout. Maybe she did notice, after all.
“Please excuse me, gentlemen. I need to go dance with my wife before she kills me.” I pat the one man’s shoulder and walk over to where the girls are sitting.
Giggles erupt into the air as I approach, but they quickly quiet down when they spot me. “Sorry, ladies, I need to steal my wife for a dance,” I say, extending my hand that she takes immediately.
“See you guys later,” she says.
Ambrose is on his feet as we approach. “I owe you,” he says, patting my shoulder as he walks towards Valerie and pulls her to her feet, as well.
“I thought you don’t dance.” She grins up at me. I allow my hands to settle low on her waist as we start dancing along to the slow song playing.
Memories of our first dance at our wedding play through my head, and I can’t help but realise just how much things have changed since then. These last few months have somehow flown by, but also felt like forever. The mask obscures most of her beautiful face, but also enhances it. Maybe it’s just the idea that right now, nobody here will ever know her beauty the way I do.
“I don’t, but I seem to only do it for you.”
“Oh shit,” she says, looking over my shoulder.
“What’s wrong?”
“The leader of the Cosa Nostra is here.”
Like a record scratching through the air, my daydreams of Theá’s beauty comes to a halt as her words settle in the air.
“What? Are you sure? How do you even know who the leader is?”
My eyes track off in the direction she’s looking in, and I spot Enzo speaking to a large, well-built man who’s easily taller than I am.
“I’m positive. He’s been at the manor before, and I remember overhearing Kylian mention something about tensions with them. I wonder why Enzo is speaking to him since he’s supposed to be working with my father,” she says, scanning the room for who I can only assume is her father.
Gabriel Auclair and his guests have yet to make an appearance at the event he all but begged me for an invite to. I haven’t seen Kylian or Horatio, either.
“He’s probably a mediator; he had some connections back in the day. Maybe your father is using it to his advantage,” I offer as an explanation, but the truth is, even I’m not sure what’s going on.
“Hmm, that would explain it,” she says absentmindedly, still looking around the room.
“Still doesn’t explain why the Cosa Nostra is here,” I mumble.
“I’m going to call my dad,” she says, pulling away from me.
I reach for her arm, pulling her back to me. Her big brown eyes are brimming with concern, and a pang of worry erupts in my stomach. “Why? It’s probably for the best if he doesn’t.”
“I have a bad feeling, so I just want to check in,” she admits.
I don’t want to let her go. My bad gut feeling only seems to arise when Gabriel is in the near vicinity. This goes against everything I want, but a part of me knows it’s her father. So no matter what I say, she’ll always have a spot for him in her heart.
“Okay, I’ll catch up with Gus,” I say, letting her go. She retreats to the table where the girls are all sitting and chatting. I watch as their eyes raise to her in concern before Valerie’s gaze flashes over to me. She’s probably the only one at the table who understands what Theá is about to do is a really bad idea.
I head to the bar where Augustus and Mattia are standing. “Single whiskey, one block of ice,” I say to the bartender before looking between the two men.
“Everything okay?” Augustus asks, and I’m surprised he’s managed to hide away from Celeste for this long without her needing something.
I stay silent until the bartender returns with my drink. Both men look at me expectantly when the bartender leaves. I gesture my head in the direction of the hall. Gus turns to walk in the direction first, Mattia and I following behind.
I pull my mask off my face, slightly irritated and overstimulated by the feeling of it constantly touching my face—especially since I had to switch to my contact lenses for the evening.
“Why is the leader of the Cosa Nostra here?” I whisper and look at Gus.
He seems to freeze and reboot before glancing at Mattia quickly. “He’s technically always invited—he’s one of the main treasures of the event, but he’s never decided to show up until this year,” Gus says, and I raise a brow.
“So he conveniently decided to come the one time the event is not held in Italy, and the one time the French cartel happens to be in attendance?” I whisper the last part, scanning the hall to make sure no one is lurking nearby.
“I think that’s exactly why he’s here.” Mattia shrugs.
“Antonio Vitale, just the man I’m looking for,” a voice booms into the hall, and we turn to see the exact man we were just talking about.
“I’m Marcelino De Luca, although I’m sure you’ve heard of me. My reputation does occasionally precede me much like your own.” He extends a hand.
Now, that is a name I’ve definitely heard, especially around the house when Papá was still alive. I had no idea he was the don. “Only good things, I hope. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“Could the two of you give us a second alone?” he says, brushing Gus and Mattia aside, and the sinking feeling sets in again.
“Of course, come find us when you’re done. I wanna do a picture before Valerie and Ambrose disappear again,” Gus says, walking away.
Mattia gives me one last concerned look over his shoulder before they both disappear back into the ballroom.
“I did quite a bit of business with your papá back in his time,” Marcelino says.
“I remember hearing your name around the house.” I shove my hands into my pockets.
“He was a good man,” he says, meeting my eye.
“Yeah, he was.” Another pang, but this time, there’s less of a warning and more sadness at the reiteration of my papá’s death.
“You’re a good man, too, I can tell. You seem like the type to do anything to keep his family safe, and I admire that.”
My eyes flash up to his, expecting some sort of menacing look, but it’s apathetic, void of any emotions.
“I saw you married Theresa Auclair. Tell me, Antonio, I just bought several paintings from your cousin Enzo, who seems to be doing business with the Auclairs. They all have your certification on them,” he trails off, moving closer. “I don’t trust the French all too much. Is there anything I need to know about them?”
This feels like a test. I know it’s a test. But I just can’t figure out which side is testing me.
From the look on Theá’s face, I don’t think her father and the Don are all too friendly—which makes me think this is the Don himself testing me. If there’s one person’s bad side I don’t want to be on, it’s his. Especially if I ever want to live a normal life in Tevici again.
But, if this is Gabriel’s doing, it could mean the end of my family. And I’d rather never go back to Tevici than let anything happen to them.
I break out into a nervous chuckle. “I wouldn’t have certified it if it wasn’t authentic. I take my reputation very seriously.”
He stays silent for a while before a wide smile breaks onto his lips. “I knew I liked you. Well, I’m happy to hear that! Let’s head back in,” he says, throwing an arm around my shoulder and guiding me back in.
As I walk into the room, all eyes fall on me, but only three sets standout: Theá, Kylian, and her father.
I swallow the lump forming in my throat, but it won’t budge. And that bad gut feeling from earlier takes over my entire body.
If the Don wanted to send a message about who the Vitales belong to, he did a marvellous job with this entrance.
“Excuse me, I need to return to my wife,” I say calmly, slipping from his grasp.
“Let me know if your answer about what we discussed changes,” he says after me, and I nod.
“What is wrong with you?” Theá meets me a few strides away from her father and brother, who both eye me like a traitor.
“It’s not what it looks like. I’ll explain everything to you later.” I grab her shoulders, and she nods. I sidestep her and walk up to her father.
“Gabriel,” I say, extending my hand, which he just looks at.
“We had a deal.” Kylian pushes his father out of the way.
“We have a deal. Nothing has changed.” I don’t bother looking at Kylian. Instead, I meet Gabriel’s eyes.
“Then why are you cozying up to the Don? You’re a traitor,” Kylian spits.
I grab him by his collar. “I’m so sick and tired of you putting your big mouth in places it doesn’t belong,” I sneer. “You’re just a little bitch trying to act like a big dog.”
“Antonio,” Thea’s voice pleads.
I drop him without a second thought and look over, meeting her concerned gaze.
“Who’s the little bitch now?” he smirks.
“ Ti ucciderò, ” I spit and grab him again, smashing my fist into his face.
The altercation doesn’t go beyond him falling backwards from the impact of my punch, before Ambrose and Adriano are pulling me backwards. Gabriel stares between his son and me, tension clear on his face.
Theá, on the other hand, looks frozen and confused, her eyes shifting between her brother and I.
“Theá, let’s go.”
“You’re going to fucking regret this,” Kylian continues.
Theá’s head turns to him, and for a brief second, I worry she may choose him over me.
“Theá,” I plead, and her eyes meet mine as she walks toward me.
“Go with him. You’ve never cared about this family anyway!” Kylian yells after his sister as she follows us out.