Chapter-23🌜The Reason
Zane's POV
Am I actually possessive of him? Yes I am.
I have always been the one to share or even donate to the needy. But this is not a damsel in distress kinda situation.
This is an ignorant and disgusting man, who doesn't respect boundaries.
William is not a thing to own.
To possess.
He's a real person, who has actual life, emotions and boundaries.
That shouldn't be hampered.
When I saw William when he was coming closer to him. His breath hitched and he backed away, his heart pounding so hard I could feel it in my ears.
Which was enough to tell me, he wasn't comfortable. So I did what I promised I would do.
Make sure of his comfort.
But was there any participation of personal anguish in decision making? Yes.
Because I couldn't see that man close to him.
Especially not after what he has done. He's a traitor.
Someone who shouldn't be trusted. Never again.
I have been on this road before, learned a lesson and saw the real personality behind that facade of a cheery brother. All big smiles and tight hugs, but with a knife hidden behind his cufflinks.
He can do 'fratello this, fratello that' but I know what he really is. He carries his malice like an internal vial of hemlock-careful not to let it spill until he finds someone he could infect.
And when he does...
It would be anything but good.
Currently that target is looking like William.
But I won't let him harm him. I won't.
Matteo stepped in between us and "Okay, this much brotherhood is fine."
Indirectly asked us to stop.
"Let's go, Zane."
I nod at him. Because I know talking to Malvolio is like beating your head on a wall. Useless.
I walk towards the car in the middle, and open the door of the rear end.
I don't make a move to go inside but turn towards William. Waiting for him to sit.
He wordlessly comes forward and sits down, and I don't even spare a glance to the fraternal twins still standing there.
If they are judging, then I give them a show. Because it's not for them or anyone else, but for the guy who's visibly awkward. After shutting his door with a soft 'clutch' sound, I move towards my side and sit down.
"Buongiorno, signori." The driver greets us. He's our man, so I know him. So, I give him a gentle nod and he starts the car. And so do the others.
Our drive begins together, and all the cars move in a structured line with a buttery flow. There's still some time for the sun to rise. So it's currently pitch black.
But I know the weather of my country. The sun would rise around 7 here. It's not that cold here, but it's humid though, seeing it rains here around this time.
I look in William's direction and he looks lost again. He is staring at the roads of Sicily with fascination-But there's also something else going on with him.
The way he is gripping his left hand until his knuckles have turned white and keeps brushing his hair with his right one, although they don't even need to be adjusted.
They look drop-dead gorgeous while they are messy-
I need to stop. This is not gonna work, he is visibly anxious around me and I can't just admire his looks.
I turn away. I want to console him and tell him everything will be nice. But then I ask myself, "am I really the one he wants to hear that from?"
I don't think William would want any kind of conversation with me. The way when I asked him that I would stop.
Stop bothering him.
He didn't interject. He didn't say once that I didn't bother him. Which means I do.
So I should keep my mouth shut, and not-add to his worries.
We pass from Mt. Etna with total silence, and our cars drive on the snow covered pathways.
I see how intrigued William is with the snow. His eyes are completely focused on the view around. His movements stopped. As if, snow acted as a silent balm, blanketing the sharp edges of his anxiety.
So he likes snow? We can arrange that. There's not much here apart from Mt. Etna, but we can definitely go to a snowy
area—
As if he would go with me...
When we pass from there—our hotel starts coming closer and closer.
I don't even get it... like why are they even getting us married in this hotel.
Usually, marriages are held in our family home or at sacred destinations.
Like I get it, the hotel would be an amazing stay. Seeing how well rated it is. But marriages are considered auspicious in our family—they can't just be held at a random hotel.
And if they do want to get us married here—why invite literally everyone? Not just random guests, but huge influential people. There will be more billionaires in this wedding than in the whole world.
Why do they just want to get the stakes this high, when this is not even a real marriage? Plus the safety...
We have literally invited Russian Bratvas, and mafia families we have close relations with. From our alliances to our acquaintances. Every one.
Most of them are known to be dangerously homophobic. Like performing homicides just because someone just mentioned homosexuality. I still remember the mass murder of queers done under Dmitri Morozov, the Pakhan of the Russian mafia.
Inviting such people will most definitely offend these people, or even start a war.
It's like willingly offering a matchstick to a leaking LPG cylinder.
But again—I can't ask dad.
Although I do know—or at least part of it—why this marriage is happening.
"Zane, you know Mr. Maxwell is a big name in the coal industry, right?" My mother asks me.
And I nod, Maxwell Dominion Energy is literally the trademark in the industry.
Even when you are talking about something completely unrelated to coal, and just mention MDE-you won't even have to complete it and they would know.
Known for its scandalous but quality reputation-they are literally on the top in any industry which would require coal. From electricity generation to diamond mining, they are a prominent figure.
"And you also know that your dad has been trying to enter the coal industry for a while now." Oh I know that, with Belladonna trust being part of almost every field—
My dad wants to step inside the coal one too. As I said earlier, it would open the gates for so many places that would make him billions, and even strengthen his current empire. A win-win situation, minor investment—which is his son.
And pocket-throbbing results.
"But it's not an industry someone can enter with no previous experience or connection in the industry itself." My mom tells me.
And that rings a bell, "Maxwell would bring that, in fact the exact amount it would require."
"Exactly."
"But how's that related to me getting married to his son?" I ask her.
"If we are getting his connection and support-he wants something big too." She tells me.
Oh...
I mean I am not shocked, because I knew it was business, but what is the 'big' that he possibly wants?
"He wants direct contact with you." She continues while rubbing my shoulder–trying to comfort me and even her.
"With me?"
"He thinks marrying his son up to you, will bring him connections. That you yourself will bring via your Valentino Co."
"Wait, so he is signing his deal with Belladonna Trust and my company is the collateral?" I exclaim.
Because, Santa Madre di Dio! I am literally the huge fucking part-both in the marriage and in the business.
And I am not even informed about it?!
Something this fucking big was kept hidden!
She looks away and I can see the tears welling up in her eyes.
But she doesn't let them fall.
"Yes..
. because if he signed a deal with just your dad—you won't be obligated to help him or provide him anything.
But this..." She trails. "This will make you directly involved.
It's all business, Gioia..." My mom sighs with sadness.
It's all business she says...
But one thing is still bothering me. "Mom... how was Vance involved in all of this?"
And just the mention of her little monello. Her breathing hiccups, because even she knows, if that troublemaker is involved—its of no good.
"I don't know much, and I don't even know if this is the complete reason or part of the reason for the wedding. Because when Vance and your dad were having a conversation—I just heard this part of it."
So there could be more?! How malicious this whole plan can be? Because just when I think things couldn't be worse than this—
There could be more.
I just hope this is all of it. 'Cus I am fucking done!
I pinch the bridge of my nose and massage my sinus.
Knowing my fortune...
"But..." She doesn't complete. She isn't making eye contact with me.
"But?" I raise my eyebrow. And hold her chin to turn her head in my direction.
"Your father asked Vance to take charge of this whole contract."
And that makes me clench my jaw so hard, it fucking hurt.
This shit is gonna hit fan and going to get me fucked. So fucking hard.
I don't even realise we have reached our hotel, until I feel the door of my side opening and our driver standing outside. I just blink and then compose myself.
I see the golden lit lobby of the hotel, and the radiant but minimalist name on top.
So it's happening...
Let's get married.