Chapter 9 Wedding Frenzy
Nine
Wedding Frenzy
Serafina
Two weeks later…
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve discovered that Eros is the type of man who doesn’t do anything halfheartedly.
He’s a full-throttle, get-it-done kind of guy.
He’s been over several times to check up on how I’m recuperating and to make sure that Mom has everything she needs.
I was going to postpone Mom’s checkup with her heart specialist, but Eros made other plans, stating that her appointment is important to her health and she needs to go.
The next thing I know, Mom was being accompanied by Monica and a bodyguard named Vincenzo.
That was the same day Eros told me that the wedding will be held in six weeks. My mother nearly fainted, but Eros assured her that everything is possible. Mom was fretting all day until Marco called, and after that call, Mom was in full-force wedding-planning mode.
The bruises are healing nicely, and I’ve been able to put my engagement ring back on its rightful finger.
We’re planning on going dress shopping today.
With all the help Monica’s been giving me and my mother since Eros came into my life, I asked her to come with us.
I want Bianca to come too, but when I asked her, she said that she couldn’t make it.
The truth is that Giusto won’t let her come.
It breaks my heart that Giusto is taking Bianca and the girls away from us, but I have no idea what I can do about it.
Bianca’s voice was strained, and I know my brother was in the room with her.
Anytime Giusto’s home, Bianca’s personality changes. She grows cold and distant.
Eros is coming by this morning to drop off his mother.
I’m already prepared for the day. I chose a simple, deep purple, fitted dress, with classic pump shoes.
I leave my hair loose, letting the waves cascade down my back.
I keep my makeup light, just mascara, a touch of blush, and light lip gloss.
Mom insists on tidying the kitchen. She’s been fussing over me since I’ve been hurt.
I try calling Bianca again to see if I can speak to the girls before they go to school. I miss them so much.
“Hi, Bianca.”
“Hi,” Bianca answers. “Is everything all right?” she asks stiffly.
“I’m calling to see how you are, and my sweet little nieces. I’ve never gone this long without seeing them. I miss you all,” I tell her.
“Um, yes. It has been a while.” Bianca sounds funny, and I don’t like it.
“If Alia and Anita are there, I’d love to talk with them.”
“I’m sorry. The girls aren’t here. They’ve left for school,” she replies. I know that’s a lie. Bianca takes them to school and never this early. “I have to go, Fi. I have lots to do today. Bye.”
The line cuts off, and I know that Giusto’s come through on his promise to keep them away from me.
I slump into the corner of the sofa and begin to cry.
After Dad’s death, our home didn’t feel like home anymore.
It wasn’t until Bianca came into it that I learned to laugh again.
When Anita was born, it was like the sun was shining again.
And with Alia, it was even better. I had a family, and Giusto’s tearing it apart.
I can’t stop sobbing, so I don’t hear when Eros comes in and suddenly stands in front of me. “What’s wrong?” he demands. “And don’t say nothing. Clearly, something’s bothering you. Are you ill? Is it your mother?”
I shake my head. “No. No.” I hiccup and take a deep breath. “There’s nothing you can do. I just need to stop trying, but I can’t help myself. I miss them.”
“Miss who?”
“Bi-Bianca and the g-girls. Giusto won’t let me see or even talk to them. Bianca sounds awful, and there’s nothing I can do about it.” I look at Eros with tears streaming down my face. “Why does he hate me so much?”
“He doesn’t hate you. He hates me. Giusto has been making a mess of it for quite some time, and he’s being called on his shit. He doesn’t like it and is retaliating like a child throwing a temper tantrum.”
“Fine, but why do Bianca and the girls need to suffer? We’ve never gone this long without spending time together.
Bianca sounds so tired. I used to go over to help with the girls and give her time for herself, but I can’t do that now.
I wanted her to be part of today, and Giusto won’t let her come.
She should be my maid of honor, and I can’t ask her.
I always thought Anita and Alia would be my flower girls in pretty dresses, tossing petals as they walk down the aisle. This is such a mess.”
“We’ll see about that,” Eros says with a sly grin, then he gives me a tissue.
“Dry your eyes. Things have a way of working themselves out.” He extends a hand for me to take and pulls me to my feet.
“Come on. Danilo and Vincenzo will be accompanying you for the day. Isn’t this supposed to be a special day for a bride, looking for your dress and all? ” he teases.
I manage a small grin. “That’s what they say. Personally, I think our mothers are going a little overboard. They’ve booked Il Castillo for the reception. I don’t even know how they got the place. Usually, it’s booked two years in advance.”
“I thought you loved the venue,” he says.
“I do, but it’s so expensive—”
“Your mother didn’t tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“Your father had money set aside for your wedding. He wanted a grand affair, the wedding of your dreams. Money is not an issue. I want you to remember that when you’re choosing your gown,” Eros says, tapping the tip of my nose with his finger and smiling.
“Dad loved us so much.” I feel a lump forming in my throat.
“No more crying, gioia mia. You have a wedding to plan,” he replies, then gently wraps an arm around my waist to guide me to the others.
Eros
In the last couple of weeks, Giusto’s been very compliant.
I’m not stupid enough to take this as a sign that he’s accepting the change and moving forward.
It’s the complete opposite. He’s been pretending that all is well, from the moment he put his hand on my shoulder two weeks ago to engaging in the celebration.
He was speaking with the others and saying how happy he was that our families are moving forward and uniting.
Giusto’s playing head games. He knows Marco is not going to change his mind, so he’s making things unbearable for Serafina and his family.
This isn’t even to get back at me. It’s because he’s a small man, and he can physically overpower these women.
He’s miserable; therefore, everyone around him must be miserable too.
The financial books are in a shambles. There’s more money being wasted on transport and customs than there should be.
We pay off border guards, customs brokers, cops, and more, but none of that should amount to what’s leaving the business.
Giusto shows up every morning and heads off with a team of men that I selected to complete the tasks for the day.
I want to keep him close so I can keep an eye on him.
However, I think it’s time to send him on a longer trip. Nero said to let him know what I need, and it’s time to ask.
“Giusto needs to take a trip,” I tell Nero over the phone.
“How long?” he returns.
“About a week. He’s making his wife’s and kids’ lives a living hell, as well as Serafina’s,” I say.
“I can’t send him alone. I don’t trust him. I’ll get one of my men to go with him. I have a delivery for Alessio. It needs to go today. Want me to call him?”
“I’d rather do this in person. I’m going to have Bianca and her kids spend the week with us and spend time with Serafina and her mother,” I explain.
“I’ll meet you there. He’s unstable. I’m hoping he makes his move soon, then we can all move on from the past.”
The past is never gone and shouldn’t be forgotten.
This is how we learn from our mistakes. It’s one of the many lessons I learned during my time away.
I worked with some good men who were willing to do what was necessary to rescue decent people from bad guys.
They were mercenaries, but they saved loved ones taken by guerrilla armies, or women who were going to be sold as sex slaves.
They even worked for the government to take down enemy regimes.
This is part of the past that shaped me, and I don’t want to forget a damn thing. I’ve not spoken about my time away because it’s mine and mine alone, and I don’t bring it up now either. Instead, I say, “I’ll meet you there.”
With Serafina, Vera, and my mother on their way to Fabiana’s Wedding Boutique, I hop in my car and head toward Giusto’s house.
It’s a road I know well. I’ve kept tabs on him over the years.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve imagined climbing over the fence, shutting down his security system, and finding my way into his home.
In my mind, I see myself waiting in his study until he comes home late at night.
I know he comes home late because, stalker that I am, I have followed my prey countless times and know Giusto’s routine.
After a night of drinking and whoring, he goes to his study for a final nightcap before heading off to bed.
I imagine myself sitting in his chair behind his desk.
I often wonder if he’d draw his gun immediately, which would only have me shooting him before he could pull the trigger, or if he’d try to reason with me while he made his way over to the panel on the wall where he could hit the emergency button for reinforcements.
That wouldn’t work either, because, as I’ve said, I studied every scenario, and I know every nook and cranny of his house.
I would have disabled his alarm, and he’d be staring at a bunch of loose connectors.