Chapter 17
HUDSON
Iwatch Andrea from across the table as Diane and Walker bring in our food. She studiously avoids meeting my gaze, smiling at my employees as she oohs and aahs over the offerings. After they leave, she shifts her attention to her meal.
“I’ve had a contract drawn up. You’ll sign it in my study when we’re done here.”
She glances up at me. Finally. The gold light from the chandelier paints a dusty glow over her, making her eyes appear even bluer. Why does she have to be so fucking beautiful?
“I see,” she says, then drops her head to her plate. I frown at the top of her head. This won’t do. This won’t do at all.
“We’ll go for a walk in the city tomorrow morning so people can see us together. Then in the evening, we’ll have another outing. I’ll propose at that time.”
Her head snaps up when I mention going to the city, a gleam appearing in her eyes. “Remember Ezra, pet. He’s enjoying his honeymoon in Norway now. What would happen if word gets out?”
She glowers at me; if looks could kill, I’d be six feet down. “I know, you asshole. I’m not going to do anything stupid.”
“Good.”
“You know, I never asked, but I want you to answer me truthfully.” She pauses, and I gesture for her to continue. “Why me? You could’ve kidnapped anyone to marry you. Why me?”
“If not you, then no one,” I answer truthfully. Marriage, as a partnership, depends entirely on who the partner is. Sure, the elders are on my neck and sooner or later, they would’ve shoved little mafia princesses down my throat, but I would have found a solution–a way out. I always do.
“What?”
“The risotto tastes good. You should try it.” I push it to her.
“You can’t just say something like that and not elaborate. What do you mean by if not me, no one? I–” She stops talking when Crew enters the dining room.
“Andrea, this is my enforcer, Crew,” I say to introduce him. I drop my spoon because I know shit must’ve gone down–again. Damn it. He nods in greeting and starts speaking in Italian, but I raise a hand to stop him.
“We’ll talk in my study,” I tell him as I get up. His brows shoot up, but he doesn’t argue. “We’ll continue this conversation later. Enjoy your meal.”
She doesn’t answer. I watch Andrea for a few seconds before leaving the dining room, Crew on my heels.
“She understands Italian?” he asks as we enter my study.
“I believe so. What’s happened this time?”
“It’s the Rossi’s,” he starts to say, and I sigh. The fucking Rossi’s. The death of Luka and Felix Giovanni has spread quickly, sending the families into a frenzy. They’re antsy. Worried I might come after them next?
“What now?”
“I heard word that they set up a secret meeting with the other families.”
A secret meeting I was not invited to? “Sounds interesting. Did you happen to hear where this meeting is to take place?”
He nods, and I take out my phone to text Tanner.
* * *
The meeting isin a VIP section of the Rossi’s club close to the docks. The bouncer looked like he had seen a ghost when I got out of my car. I raise a finger to my lips, and he nods compliantly as I walk past him. Crew slams the bottom of his gun against the bouncer’s temple, and he crumples to the ground. Insurance in case we need to make a quick getaway.
The club is empty save for the culprits and a few of the employees. They don’t notice me at first, and I motion to Crew to be still as we melt into the shadows, which is easy enough to do in the low lighting.
“He took out the Giovannis like rats and scattered their body parts all over the city. He chased the members of their family out of the state, and as we speak, he’s already taking over their territory. He already has more than any of us and now this?! He’s obviously getting greedy for more power.” Dominic Rossi finishes his passionate speech amid murmurs from the others.
I glance around the room, noting those present. I see Dominic Rossi and his brother, Tomasi. Vice Bianchi, the head of the Bianchi family, and his enforcer. Angelo Ventura, head of the Ventura family and his consigliere. Bruno Lombardi, the head of the Lombardi family and his son. Four of the five elder families of which I’m the fifth. That means everyone is present. Good.
“Truth be told,” Tomasi starts to say as he gets on his feet. “Massimo has always made me uneasy. He was a capo under Alberto Mancini, and he ruthlessly wiped out the man and his entire lineage when he rose to power. Not only that, but he’s slowly expanded his empire to the point where he’s become even more powerful than us, even though we’ve had our territories longer.”
“That was a result of his cunning,” Vice Bianchi insists.
“His cunning and ruthlessness you mean,” Dominic corrects. “Admit it, Vice, he’s getting more dangerous by the day. As it stands, the only way we can take him is if we all band together.”
“We’ve told him to find a wife and settle down. Once he does, he becomes more vulnerable and will be easier to control. A wife will soften his sharp edges,” Bruno says, and I raise a brow.
Tomasi spits out, “And you think he’ll do as you say?”
“We all put it to a vote, and he agreed,” Angelo says testily. “Why are we even having this conversation without the man in question? I was under the impression that you invited everyone. I will not be a party to this…whatever this is.” He rises to his feet.
“No, wait. I did invite him. I invited him, and he didn’t show up. What does that tell you? He doesn’t take me seriously. He doesn”t take any of us seriously.”
“What do you mean I didn’t show up?” I step out of the shadows. “I was simply wrapped up in unavoidable business that delayed me.”
“Ma-massimo,” Tomasi stammers, blood draining from his face. His brother turns his chin up at me.
“Now that you’re here, explain this nonsense about you taking over the Giovanni territory,” Bruno Lombardi demands.
“Simple. The Giovannis crossed the line when they blew up my warehouses and tried to shoot up the employees in one of my clubs. So, I retaliated. With them out of the picture, someone else had to step up. And they owed me.” I drag a chair to their table, but I don’t sit. Not yet.
“I heard about that. Good for you.” Angelo grins. His territory is the closest to mine and I’ve had to cross paths with him more often than with the others. We have an understanding, me and him. I wouldn’t go as far as to say we’re allies, but we’re not enemies, either.
“You should’ve texted Dominic to let him know you’d be late to the meeting,” Vice admonishes. He’s the eldest at forty-six, and he’s been Don the longest. It’s probably what makes him the easiest going of us all.
I glance at Dominic whose cheeks heat up. We both know that he didn’t invite me. “It’s fine, now that he’s here,” he murmurs.
“Great. So what did I miss?” I ask, tucking my chair between Dominic Rossi and Angelo Ventura as I sit.
“When we’ll meet your bride.” Bruno raises a questioning brow.
“Soon enough,” I answer easily as one of the staff comes over to ask what I’d like. I wave her off dismissively. I won’t be staying long enough to enjoy anything.
“Do you even have a bride?” Tomasi asks snidely, finally finding his voice since I made my presence known. “Or do you need us to introduce you to our sister?”
“That’s a good idea! Maybe if you marry Lucia Rossi, it will finally mend the bad blood between your families.” Vice nods.
“That’s too bad. I already have someone in mind. Maybe Lucia can marry one of my men?” I offer with a smirk.
“As the head of the Moratti family, you can’t just marry anyone. She has to be from good stock to take her place next to you,” Bruno says. “And the Rossi’s are the only ones with an unwed female that, I believe, has the necessary pedigree.”
Look at him talk about a potential bride like a horse he wants to purchase. I narrow my eyes at Bruno. “I am well aware of this, and I’ve chosen my future bride with that in mind.”
“Save us from the suspense then and tell us who this paragon of virtue is.” Dominic crosses his arms over his chest.
I’ll have to give them something to get them off my back. I lock my gaze on Dominic as I answer, “Andrea Beaufort. Ring any bells?” Word on the street is that a few years ago, he went to John Beaufort and tried to marry his daughter to gain influence, but obviously John declined.
Dominic’s eyes widen, “Now I know you’re lying.”
The rest of the dons sit up, staring at me with varying degrees of surprise. “The Beaufort princess? John Beaufort said his daughter wasn”t for sale when I went to him.”
“I thought the Beaufort girl wouldn’t agree to an arranged marriage?”
“How did you even get the family to accept your proposal?”
“Gentlemen. Gentlemen.” I raise a hand as I speak. “One question at a time please. Yes, my fiancée is Andrea Beaufort, John Beaufort’s daughter. As to how I got the family to accept–well, she loves me. Simple as that.”
“If what you’re saying is really true, this could be a bridge into Brattleboro for us. That town has been tightly locked down for decades, but now that their daughter is going to be one of us...they’ll have no choice but to become more accommodating,” Bruno says with a pleased smile. “I approve.”
“Well, thank you,” I tell him, but the sarcasm seems to fly over his head.
“When is the engagement party? I haven’t seen John Beaufort in a long time, and I’ve yet to meet his son, who took over when he retired.”
My work done, I get to my feet, adjusting my cufflinks. “The date of the engagement party will be communicated to you all soon. Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I have a beautiful fiancée to return to. Have a good evening.” I give them a short nod and walk out with Crew.
“Why didn’t you tell them you were not invited to the meeting, H?” Crew asks as we get into my jeep.
“To strengthen my reputation as the most powerful don there and send a message to the Rossi’s. Just because I don’t react doesn’t mean I don’t know everything they’re up to.”