2. Luca
2
LUCA
I stand in front of the mirror, knotting my tie in place, and doing my best not to notice my father's looming figure behind me in the reflection. He’s always been the type to stand behind me, looking over my shoulder. Unfortunately, it’s never to support but to judge me.
“You spend far too much time in front of those,” he nags.
“I want to look good for today. This is for our image, isn’t it?”
He turns away from me, and I try not to dwell on his lack of response, despite my whole reason for asking the question in the first place was just to see if he’d prove me correct. Ignoring his repetitive footsteps resounding off of the tiled floor, I return my focus to my tie. The knot needs to be perfect. Undoing it, retying a few times over just to make sure that every part of my outfit is exactly right. Still, every time I fasten it again, it feels the exact same as it did before, no matter how differently I do it.
Despite today being my father’s idea, from how he’s been acting for the last few months, it isn’t nearly what I had expected. There aren’t many guests attending the wedding, even with two large families with wide networks of friends and associates coming together. Regardless of my father’s vast wealth from generations of the Valenti family business, little money has been spent on the occasion. And in spite of his need for control and micromanaging everything that’s happened in his life for as long as I can remember, he’s barely said a word regarding the wedding since the plan to marry Sofia Rossi was first hatched. Positive or negative, I at least expect him to say something.
Yet here he is, still just standing behind me. He has not put any extra effort into himself this morning than he has on any one before it, and by the look of him waiting here, he doesn’t plan to.
“Why are we here today, son?” His voice carries the expectation of the correct answer.
I burnish the knot. “So you can marry Sofia Rossi.”
He takes a moment to respond. “On the surface, yes, but there’s more to it.”
“Of course. Our families have been fighting, and it was taking a turn for the worst.” I take a deep breath. I need to show him that I know what I’m doing. “However, after the wedding, the Valentis and Rossis will be united and have no choice but to cease their rivalry.”
He hesitates again. I don’t understand where I went wrong.
“That’s only one facet of this plan. To be a true leader and strategist, you must always think on multiple levels, be steps ahead of the rest.”
I know this. I know I’m not ready yet, but I won’t ever be unless he stops talking down to me.
“There’s an extra step to this plan. Another outcome that’s to our benefit.” Yet again, he pauses. Is it only for dramatic effect or to patronize me? “Between the Valentis and the Rossis, who’s the weakest link?”
“The Rossis?”
“Correct. So with them by our side, anyone wanting to get to us will see them as the easiest way. And that’s exactly what we want them to do. They’re weak, but they take time to deal with. You can trust me on that.”
“So they’ll slow down our enemies?”
“Exactly right. As well as removing them as one and making us look even better.”
It is a good plan, I must admit. It just isn’t one that I’ve liked ever since it was revealed to me. At no point did I have a say, though. I tried to persuade my father to reconsider, but once he’s set on an idea, he will force it into place no matter the resistance.
He’s been the same way with his desire for me to take over the family business and take his place as head of the Valenti family. Of course, it’s something I want to do, but I don’t know if I’m ready yet and I need to become ready before it’s too late.
“Come on, son. We need to get out there,” my father says as he pulls his jacket together. “The Valenti men must be punctual when presenting themselves.”
My father has a presence to him. He could stand in any room, and everyone there would know it. Something about him draws the eye; it’s as simple as that. It’s a quality I don’t seem to have. I could stand in a room and be as noticeable as the wallpaper. Sure, I am there, but no one takes notice of the wallpaper unless it’s unbearably obscene.
I try my best to accept this fact, change my perspective on it, and see it as a positive. I’m not plain; I’m subtle. I may not be extravagant, but I’m efficient. I can get away with a lot more when no one’s eyes are on me.
It all just means that today no one’s eyes are on me. It’s difficult to catch someone’s attention when you’re standing beside a man as prideful as Salvatore Valenti, especially when it seems you’re standing in his shadow.
“How are you feeling?” I whisper to my father tentatively.
“Don’t be ridiculous. This is no different than a business deal, so treat it like one,” he responds with a dispassionate stare.
The doors fly open, the guests stand to show their respect, and my future step- family walks in. Sofia Rossi seems to be another person who prefers to go unnoticed, at least that’s how I’ve been viewing her since we met.
She’s quiet, reserved, and never makes a decision in front of others. Although, this all may be down to the fact that she only became the head of the Rossi family after her husband passed. Maybe her behavior is because she isn’t cut out for the position she’s found herself in and isn’t someone to relate to.
Standing beside Sofia is someone I definitely don’t relate to one bit: Dominic Rossi. He’s loud-mouthed, aggressive, and has an aura to him. The way he carries himself, his stance, his walk, the way he talks, and how he doesn't seem to have to try all that hard. It’s different. Not only is he different from me, but different from anyone I’ve ever met before. It’s intriguing.
Like his mother, I’ve only ever met Dominic once or twice before the wedding. Even then, words were rarely exchanged, yet I find myself wanting to know more about him. He has a reputation for being a pain for his family, and if I am going to take charge like my father wants, then he’s someone I’ll have to manage—whether he’s my ally or enemy.
Despite everything else about him, I do have to admit that he is also very attractive, in a conventional way at least. Not that it’s really something I’d pick up normally. I’m not one for caring about the physical side of things, and I’m certainly not one for Dominic Rossi. Still, he’s got a good height to him, he’s well-built and muscular, and he has a dark aura to match his jet-black hair. He looks like he could crush a man with his bare hands.
And, I have certainly thought about those hands on my body.
His eyes lock onto mine. I’ve been staring at him for so long, trying to size him up, but I didn’t realize until now that I have been so obvious.
His cold glare cuts through me in an instant, and I turn away but can still feel his eyes on me.
The reception was, for lack of a better term, simple. It only needed to serve the purpose of holding the guests who were willing to stay longer than they needed to, and so that is exactly what it did.
Most people opt to stand around the room in small clusters, making sly comments between themselves while no one too involved in the wedding could hear. I try my best not to draw too much attention to myself while standing on the outskirts of a group with my uncles.
“I don’t think this is going to work. You know how the Rossis are,” one of them sneers.
“They aren’t too bad. I mean it could be the Grecos.”
“Luca, what do you think? I mean, you’re a smart enough kid to know this is all a bad idea, right?” one of the uncles probes.
“Oh well,” I stutter. “I mean, sure they’re different…” I search for a satisfactory answer. “But this is all a necessary evil to better the family.”
“That’s what I’m talking about!”
“Are you serious? Just look at them,” my uncle says as he gestures across the room .
I follow his gaze and am soon pushed back by Dominic’s scowling face as he rushes toward me. Just the sight of his rage-fueled determination makes me shiver.
Dominic stops in place, shaking like a raging bull as he charges again.
He grips my arm and yanks me from the safety of the group, pushing into my personal space.
He’s quite imposing up close.
“Oh, Dominic, it’s so nice to see you.” I try to hide my shock. “I can’t believe this has all happened so quickly.”
“I know, right? It’s surprising. Your father must have been quite desperate.” He smirks.
“Well, I don’t think you can be too desperate for love, now can you?” I laugh awkwardly.
“Oh, right, sure. Got to keep up appearances for everyone. Can’t let everyone know just how hopeless you Valentis are,” he mutters.
What’s his problem?
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“All I mean is that your father was practically begging for us to dust off his reputation. This is basically a thank you party for saving your asses,” he jabs.
“Very funny, Dom, but that’s no way to talk about family.” I raise my voice, knowing exactly what he’s doing.
“Exactly. We’re family. This is just how brothers talk to each other. You’ll get used to it.”
“As long as you can take as much as you give.” A smile forms on my face.
“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll be fine. It’s you I’m worried about. I didn’t suspect the Valenti heir to be so sensitive,” he spurns.
I lean in closely, only speaking to him. “Well, it must be a lot easier to be the middle child who’s needed for nothing and can waste their time being a screw-up.”
His jaw tightens, and before I know it, he lunges at me, grabbing my collar. Soon, my back is pushed against the wall behind me.
“Why do you have to be such a smartass?” he bellows.
I can’t help but laugh. Maybe my uncle is right; the Rossis are thuggish.
His grip tightens.
“What’s wrong with you?” my father exclaims. “Get away from him! ”
Maybe I was right to have my concerns.
Freed from his grasp, I can relax my body again, my assailant being taken out of reach of me.
“What is your problem? Why can’t you just behave?” Sofia scorns her son.
Dad helps me up. To be honest, I’m not as shaken up as I appear.
“We were talking, and he just attacked me,” I stutter, trying to hold back my laughter.
“That’s not—” Dominic struggles to finish his sentence.
“Enough! Get him away from here,” my father orders, and my uncles take him out of the room.
“Are you okay?” Sofia asks. “Come here.” She fixes my appearance.
“I’m okay, I’m okay. Don’t worry.”
“I’m so sorry. I don’t know what got into him,” she apologizes.
“Today must be a lot for him. It’s not his fault.”
Not his fault that he has the temperament of a child, and it’s just so fun to mess with him.
Fading sunlight breaches my bedroom window as the eventful day comes to a close. Pulling the tight dress shirt from my body, I notice the fresh bruise blooming on my chest. Dominic left quite a mark. I can’t help but touch it, feeling the tender pain as a short groan escapes my lips.
Dominic’s short temper is almost laughable. He was so confident, but it was just too easy to push his buttons. I can’t believe he did that at his own mother’s wedding. Maybe this whole plan isn’t the right idea after all. If Dominic is anything like the rest of his family, then this can only end in bloodshed.
Still, Dominic getting so riled up and violent was fun to watch. Watching him run out of words and turn to violence so quickly makes me feel something, and I don’t know what to think.
Surely, it was just the shock of it, but I can’t be too sure. It feels…different.
I feel my dick swelling at the memory of him slamming me against the wall.
My new stepbrother. I have a feeling our relationship will be… interesting.