Chapter 8 Carmela
CARMELA
My eyes widen as I step out of the car, taking in the sight before me.
Silvo’s home is a sprawling mansion, all elegant lines and stately grandeur.
The immaculate landscaping and towering white columns make it look like something out of a fairytale.
I glance over at Silvo uncertainly as he comes around to my side, offering his arm.
“Shall we, Mrs. De Luca?” His voice is tinged with amusement.
I scowl but take his arm, letting him lead me up the front steps. The massive wooden doors swing open, and suddenly we’re engulfed in a whirlwind of activity.
An older couple rushes forward, the woman embracing Silvo tightly. “Oh my boy, welcome home!” She pulls back, her eyes falling on me. “And this must be your bride! Carmela, yes? We’ve heard so much about you.”
I paste a smile on my face, trying to mask my discomfort as she pulls me into a hug. Over her shoulder, I see Silvo smirking. Bastard. He’s enjoying this.
“Mother, Father, may I present my wife, Carmela?” Silvo takes my hand, tucking it into the crook of his elbow.
Mr. De Luca steps forward, taking my hand and placing a kiss on my knuckles. “Welcome to the family, my dear. We’re so pleased to have you. I’m Antonio, and my wife is Giulia.” He gestures to an older woman who smiles warmly at me.
“Thank you,” I murmur. “You have a lovely home.”
“Ah, and here comes my baby brother now,” Silvo says, his tone teasing. “Late as usual.”
I turn to see the younger version of Silvo striding toward us, the same man who’d stood by his side at the wedding and I spoke with briefly at the reception.
“I prefer to think of it as making an entrance,” he says, punching Silvo in the shoulder.
He turns to me, his blue eyes twinkling.
“It’s good to see you again so soon. How are you feeling after marrying this loser?
I almost forgot how beautiful you are. Silvio is a lucky man indeed. ”
Federico was the only family member of Silvo’s who attended the wedding. I watch the two brothers banter back and forth, Silvo rolling his eyes at Federico’s quips.
“Watch it, little brother. That’s my wife you’re talking to,” Silvo growls, pulling me closer to his side.
Fed throws his hands up in mock surrender. “My apologies, oh great one. I forgot how protective you are of your things.”
“Carmela is not a thing,” Silvo says, his voice taking on a hard edge. “She’s my wife, and you’ll treat her with respect.”
I glance up at him, surprised by the vehemence in his tone. Maybe there’s more to this man than I thought.
Fed is unfazed, grinning conspiratorially at me. “Don’t let him fool you, Carmela. Underneath that tough exterior beats the heart of a hopeless romantic. Did he tell you about the time he tried to serenade a girl from outside her window?”
“Fed!” Silvo barks, his cheeks reddening.
I can’t help but giggle at the image of Silvo, the big bad mafioso, crooning love songs in the moonlight. He shoots me a betrayed look, and I quickly school my features.
“Sounds like there’s a lot I don’t know about my husband,” I say, arching a brow at him. “Perhaps you’d be willing to fill me in, Fed?”
The younger De Luca brother grins, slinging an arm around my shoulders. “It would be my pleasure, sister. Did Silvo ever tell you about the summer we spent at Lake Como? There was this girl...”
“Alright, that’s enough,” Silvo interrupts, steering me away from his brother’s grasp. “Carmela doesn’t need to hear any more of your tall tales.”
Fed pouts, but there’s a mischievous glint in his eye. “Spoilsport. Fine, I’ll behave. For now.” He winks at me before sauntering off, whistling a tune.
Silvo sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I apologize for my brother. He’s always been a bit...much.”
“I like him,” I say honestly. “He seems fun. Unlike some people I know.”
Silvo gives me a stern look. “Careful, wife. Keep talking like that and I might start to think you prefer my brother’s company to mine.”
“Well, he does have better stories,” I tease, feeling a thrill at the way his eyes darken.
“Stick with me, baby. I’ll show you a real good time.” His voice is a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine.
As Silvo leads me further into the house, I spot a beautiful dark-haired woman descending the grand staircase. She has the same striking blue eyes as Silvo and Fed.
“Isabella,” Silvo greets her warmly, placing a kiss on her cheek. “I’d like you to meet my wife, Carmela.”
Isabella turns to me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Carmela. Welcome to the family.”
Her voice is soft and melodic, a stark contrast to Fed’s boisterous energy. I find myself instantly drawn to her calm presence.
“Thank you. It’s wonderful to meet you as well.” I return her smile, feeling a bit more at ease.
“I hope my brothers haven’t been too overwhelming,” she says, shooting Silvo a look. “They can be a bit… enthusiastic at times.”
Silvo scoffs, but I can see the affection in his eyes. “We’re excited to have a new member of the family, that’s all.”
Isabella rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Of course you are.” She turns back to me, her expression softening. “I know this must be a lot to take in. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
I feel a lump form in my throat at her kindness. “Thank you, Isabella. That means a lot.”
She nods, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re one of us now. We take care of our own.”
I glance at Silvo, seeing the pride shining in his eyes as he watches our exchange. Maybe being a part of this family won’t be so bad after all.
As we settle into our seats at the lavishly set dining table, I can’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed.
The De Lucas spare no expense, from the glittering chandeliers overhead to the fine china and crystal glasses before me.
Silvo pulls out my chair, ever the gentleman, and I sit down gingerly, smoothing my dress over my lap.
The first course is served, a delicate soup that I can barely pronounce. I take a tentative sip, my eyes widening at the explosion of flavors on my tongue. Beside me, Silvo chuckles at my reaction.
“Good, isn’t it?” he murmurs, leaning in close. “Our chef is world-renowned.”
I nod, taking another spoonful. Across the table, Fed regales us with tales of his latest conquest, a model he met at a party in Milan. Giulia tuts disapprovingly, but I can see the amusement dancing in her eyes.
“Federico, please. We have a guest,” she chides.
Fed grins, unabashed. “Apologies, Mother. I forgot how delicate your sensibilities are.”
Silvo snorts into his wine glass, earning a glare from his mother. I hide my own smile behind my napkin, feeling a sense of camaraderie with these people I barely know.
As the meal progresses, I start to notice the little quirks and eccentricities of the De Luca family.
Antonio has a habit of tapping his fingers on the table in a specific pattern, as if sending a secret message.
Isabella barely touches her food, instead pushing it around her plate and sipping delicately at her wine.
And Fed, well, he seems to have a story for every occasion, each one more outrageous than the last.
But it’s Silvo who intrigues me the most. He’s quiet, observing his family with a watchful eye. Every now and then, he’ll lean over and whisper something in my ear, his breath hot against my skin. It sends a shiver down my spine, reminding me of the night we shared.
As the plates are cleared away and dessert is served, Giulia turns to me with a warm smile. “So, Carmela, tell us about yourself. What do you like to do for fun?”
I blink, caught off guard by the question. “Oh, um, I enjoy reading and painting,” I say, feeling a bit self-conscious. “And I love to dance.”
Silvo’s hand finds mine under the table, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “Carmela is a woman of many talents,” he says. “I’m a lucky man.”
I glance at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone.
As the meal comes to an end, I find myself feeling more relaxed than I have in days. The wine has left me pleasantly buzzed and the conversation has been surprisingly enjoyable. Even Silvo seems to have let his guard down a bit, his hand resting casually on my thigh.
Giulia rises gracefully, setting her napkin beside her plate. “Before we move to the sitting room, I should mention that Antonio and I are leaving for Sicily in two weeks time.”
“We’ve had this trip planned for months,” Antonio adds. “Six weeks visiting family in Palermo, then some time at the villa in Taormina. We’re leaving two weeks from tomorrow—gives Silvo time to handle the business transition properly.”
“Father with everything happening—” Silvo starts, but his father waves him off.
“You’re a married man, running the family business. You don’t need us hovering over your shoulder.” Antonio’s gaze shifts to me. “And you two need time to build your life together without us interfering.”
Giulia comes around the table, taking both my hands in hers. “Carmela, cara, this is your home now. You can’t truly become the mistress of this house with me running everything.”
Her smile is warm but knowing. “Besides, we’ve been looking forward to this trip for so long. Antonio needs the rest, and I want to see my sister.”
“Six weeks is a long time,” I say, unsure if I’m relieved or terrified at the prospect of being alone with Silvo in this massive estate. Well, not entirely alone, Federico and Isabella live here too.
“You’ll barely notice we’re gone,” Giulia assures me with a laugh. “And Isabella and Federico are always around if you need anything.” She pats my cheek affectionately. “By the time we return, you’ll have found your rhythm here.”
“The household staff will take care of everything,” Antonio adds. “And Silvo knows how to reach me if there’s any real emergency with the business.”
Silvo’s hand finds mine under the table again, squeezing. I can’t read his expression—is he pleased about this privacy, or does he feel the same uncertainty I do?
“Why don’t we retire to the sitting room for coffee and digestifs?” Giulia suggests, her tone making it clear this topic is closed. “We should enjoy our time together over the next two weeks.”
We all follow suit, Silvo offering me his arm as we make our way to the cozy room filled with plush sofas and armchairs. A fire crackles in the hearth, casting a warm glow over everything.
I settle onto a loveseat, Silvo taking the spot beside me. His arm drapes over my shoulders, pulling me into his side. It feels strange, being so close to him in front of his family. Intimate.
Isabella perches on the arm of Fed’s chair, sipping delicately at a small glass of limoncello. She catches my eye and gives me a subtle wink, as if we share a secret joke.
Antonio leans back in his armchair, swirling a snifter of brandy. “So, Silvo,” he says, fixing his son with a pointed look. “Now that you’re a married man, it’s time to start thinking about the future. The family business.”
I feel Silvo tense beside me, his fingers tightening on my shoulder. “Father, I don’t think now is the time—”
“Nonsense,” Antonio cuts him off with a wave of his hand. “Carmela is a part of this family now. She deserves to know what she’s gotten herself into.”
“Carmela doesn’t need to be involved in any of that,” Silvo says, his voice tight. “I’ll handle the business, like always.”
“And what about when you have children?” Giulia asks, her eyes flickering to me. “Will you keep them in the dark as well?”
Children.
The word lands like a sucker punch. I hadn’t even considered the possibility, too caught up in my own drama to think about the future.
Silvo must sense my discomfort because he takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” he says firmly. “For now, let’s enjoy the evening. It’s not every day a man gets to introduce his beautiful wife to his family.”
I force a smile, trying to push down the rising panic in my chest. What have I gotten myself into?