Chapter Three
Four years ago
I am looking at the black canvas, trying to gather my thoughts. I’ve been sitting here for a couple of hours but it feels like seconds.
‘Your mother is gone, girls.’
That’s what my father told me couple of years ago. Like he couldn’t care more.
‘She was sick, she’s better now.’
My mother wasn’t sick. The world that didn’t understood her made her like that.
“Uccellino?” My sister’s trembled voice makes my eyes move away the canvas. “I’ve been calling you for some time, where did your mind go this time?”
“To mama.” When was the last time I saw her?
Last week?
Last month?
She left me in the place that is worse than hell. I wish I could be mad at her, but if I was in her place, I would’ve left long time ago.
“You can talk with me about anything, you know that right?” Keres whispers and walks slowly towards me.
“I know.” But I won’t. She’s not strong enough.
Because my sister is like un piccolo cervo. Scared of the world, but too proud not to explore it.
Her ocean eyes fill with tears as she bents to hug me.
“We’ll be okay, uccellino.” I pat her hand softly.
You’ll be fine , I wanted to say.
Keres was always meant to shine. To grow beautifully while I just watch.
Because someone cursed me before I had time to breathe.
Present – a week later
The hall is too crowded. Too noisy.
For the first time since mama died, the Italian empire opened the doors for the wedding of the year.
A wedding which will bring peace, they say.
A wedding that will bring demise, I know.
The souls that were meant to unite experienced a tragic end, and they think they can prank the fate.
I hope they’ll be burn as a punishment.
The engagement party my father insisted on celebrating in Italy is full of people who can’t wait to see me being in the lion’s den.
I fake smile like a pro while I greet the strangers who congratulate me on my marriage. So touching.
My black dress is the perfect reminder for me to know that this feels like a funeral, not a party.
I feel a hand on my elbow and that one touch sends cold shivers in my body.
My father drags me out of the building, straight into the back garden full of colorful flowers.
“Change your scared face, uccellino. You’re into a castle full of men who would do anything to have this pretty, scared face in their sheets.” He says in Italian. A protective father as always.
“You think I’m scared? Wait until you see your face when I’ll tell my new husband how my father mistreated me for years. You’ll like that, don’t you?” I smile wickedly.
Not that Keaton will care, but he is loyal enough to crush my father if he finds out about my ‘happy’ memories. That’s the only thing I respect about him.
“I see that you still need a little bit of discipline. Very well.” In a second, his hand wraps around my neck like a gold necklace. “Let’s see what your new husband will have to say when he sees his wife with a red neck.”
I start to breathe harder, but hell if that stops me from speaking.
“Oh, so you want me to tell him how you put your friends to-“ I gag when his hand wraps more tightly.
“Don’t test my patience, girl.”
A long time ago I was Daddy’s scared little girl, but I caught something he never saw coming.
Courage.
“What is going on here?” A rough voice comes from the doorframe that separates the hall from the garden.
The hand disappears from my neck and it takes me a couple of minutes to get my vision cleared out.
I look behind me and see a big man that could make Hulk piss his pants, in a dark blue suit and a ponytail that tried to tame his wild curls.
Orion Hale.
“I was just putting a family heirloom around my daughter’s neck, young boy. Who are you to question me on my territory?”
“She is going to be my boss’s wife. The Outfit’s queen. I don’t care who you are, you are not touching Althea.” His voice is so rough and hoarse, a sign that he doesn’t speak that much, but he just protected me from my father’s wrath.
I met Orion once, four years ago when Keaton came to propose to Keres because she saved him from dying. But I can swear that Orion wasn’t as big as he is right now. He is a hunter just like Venus, but he doesn’t work for all the mafias. He works as a bounty hunter for the police department in Chicago, a way to hide his monstrous side.
“Althea you are expected in the main hall.”
“Right.” With that, I turn toward my father and give him one last smile and I leave, entering another den.
“What were you two talking about?” I look over at Orion and frowned.
“For someone who claims that doesn’t like talking, you sure do like gossip.” He looks at me dead in the eyes, and I leave his side too.
When I enter the hall, the first thing I see is the Empress’s long cape. I feel a gulp forming in my neck but I ignore it.
The second thing makes my legs tremble and my breathing slow.
A tall brunette man, in a three-piece suit than makes him look forbidden, a straight position that gives you the impression he’s part of the military, black hair styled almost better than mine and a beard that looks too good for him.
Everette Keaton Moretti.
My future husband.
My demise.
Seeing him after so many years make me question
my tries to forget the horrible memories that haunted me at night.
Your heart is safe here. You are safe here.
Your heart is safe here. You are safe here.
After I calm myself, I walk in the hall like I own everybody. I won’t let some stupid thoughts and feelings ruin the person I’ve become.
The Empress’s gold mask tries to stare into my empty soul. This woman always amazes me.
And while I don’t like anyone (I’m making an exception for Venus and Vincent), I always admired The Empress.
The line of women that carries the most powerful character into the mafia world. The scariest person in our world. Everyone respects her, listen to her. No one knows who she is, who was the first Empress that started this legacy, what started her to become this amazing thing.
She made sure she has a legacy; the firstborn daughter will take the throne.
Right now, she could be sixty, or twenty. But no matter what, she will always be the most protected woman on this earth. She created her own army with loyal soldiers.
“Congratulation on the engagement, miss Luciano.” Her robotic voice says. “I’m amazed at what I see.”
I take her hand in mine without interrupting the eye contact. I'm no longer a scared girl looking down at an observation, but my body’s warmth gets higher.
“I want to say I’m amazed by your mask but it’s the same as five years ago.” Her robotic laugh is so fucking horrible that I have to cover my ears, but it’s good to know she knows how to joke.
Even that I didn’t really joke. Like for real, she could get another mask. The water lily still shines brightly on the left side of her face, but the gold is no longer as prominent as it once was.
"What happened to little Althea, alas, I'd say I’ll miss her, but I don't like lying." I try to smile but it feels foreign. If you know how to behave around her, you will realize that she is a very sociable person.
I feel the green eyes eyeing me angry and I look at his clenched jaw that I could cut paper in it.
We look into each other eyes while the world seems to fade around us. What is he thinking? Is he guilty that he didn’t protect my sister like he promised me?
Did he ever saw the desperation I had in my eyes when he visited with my sister?
“I’ll leave you two love birds alone.” Now it’s not the time, you royal woman.
The silence between us is louder than the whole hall. He looks at me like he wants me gone, and I look at him like he is my salvation.
For a short period, he will be. Keaton will finally make me leave the cursed mansion that I’ve been living in for the past twenty-three years.
“Althea.” His hoarse voice makes me shiver.
“Keaton.” I hold his eyes as I move slowly, standing right in front of him.
“You look…different.” His eyes move all over me.
“Thank you for the observation.” I say coldly.
“Be careful, uccellino. You’ll be my wife in just three weeks.” He moves closer until between us are mere inches. He opens his jacket and takes a matte black box out of it.
And I know perfectly what’s in there.
“Was that a threat, Keaton? Do I need to show you how much I’ve changed?” I raise my left hand trying to let people think that we’re having a nice chat.
He smirks and opens the box, showing probably the most beautiful ring I have ever seen in my entire life. A pear-shaped ring with a stunning black diamond that is wrapped in tiny pearls, and underneath is formed a half circle with the same black diamonds.
It is breathtaking.
After he puts the ring on my finger, I catch his hand in mine and bring his face near mine, whispering slowly.
“And if you’re calling me uccellino one more time, I’ll bathe in your blood until it stains my skin.” Keaton straightens his posture and he pulls his hand from mine only to wrap it around my waist. The gesture takes me off guard and I feel how my skin is burning.
“If I can have everyone’s attention, please.” He says loud in the hall. People are looking at us with wide eyes and at the hand that is wrapped around me like a snake.
He takes my left hand in his big one and shows everyone the diamond that is too heavy for my finger.
“This marks the new role of the Italian princess. In three weeks, Althea Seraphina Luciano will become my wife and above all, your queen. If I catch one of you disrespecting her, I'm going to rip off your skin and show it all over Chicago."
“What do you think you’re doing?” I hiss.
“ I’m claiming you, Little Fox.”