Chapter 28 #2
When I’d run, I’d thwarted the Brotherhood’s plans of kidnapping me from right under Alexander’s nose. That had royally pissed them off, which was the reason they’d gone full gangbusters with hunting me down.
After learning all the gory details about just how far they’d gone, I was shocked Donatello and I had made it out alive.
The antics had included the attempt at tanking certain stocks owned by the Prince family by tossing out accusations of insider trading.
Alexander and the group of family attorneys had been forced to deal with that.
There’d been a fire at one of the warehouses, set mysteriously of course, all in an attempt to keep Alexander busy.
My house had even been broken into, the bastards obviously looking for where I’d gone.
Thankfully, Donatello being highly intelligent, he hadn’t left evidence as to where I’d gone.
In fact, he’d destroyed all possible links.
Somehow, they’d figured it out, which meant they had eyes and ears everywhere.
“What do the Dons say about our situation?” Jaxon asked.
“That we’re not alone in being pushed and pushed hard.” Alexander allowed the information to settle in.
“They knew about our connection with the Five Families all along,” I suggested.
Alexander grinned. “Exactly. They decided to use that as their trump card.”
“Only they don’t know how powerful the alliance or how much control the combined members have over everything from financial institutions. Land management. Politics.” Montgomery laughed and winked as he looked at me.
“Then how are we going to play this?” Donatello moved toward the whiteboards that had been set up with the photographs of the people Francoise had provided.
“A governor. A brigadier general. The owner of the largest social media platform. A South African diamond king. An Oscar-winning actor. The director of the freaking CIA. The list goes on and on. All members of the Brotherhood. All powerful men in their own right, but when you put them together, their control is explosive.”
He turned around to look at me and for a few seconds, we locked eyes before I turned my head away.
No wonder Francoise and the company members had been so secretive. They were investigating one of their own.
“The question is are we trying to be heroes?” Sinclair’s question was a decent one.
Alexander eased down onto the chair behind his desk, immediately drumming his fingers. “No, but providing us with possible future favors of the international law community while keeping them busy and in accolades is in our best interest.”
Sinclair was grinning from ear to ear. “And the Five Families?”
“Four,” Jaxon corrected.
“Five,” Alexander said, also grinning. “I’ve been kept abreast of decisions made within the Five Families as well as being allowed opportunities to expand throughout Europe.”
“You dirty dog, you.” Montgomery jumped to his feet. “How much are we talking about?”
“Let’s just say on paper we are the second richest family on the planet.”
I had to give my brothers credit. Along with myself. We’d parlayed our father’s wealth into one hell of a lot of money.
“Daddy would be proud,” I offered.
“Yes, he would.” Jaxon was the one who seconded my comment.
“Are we done here?” Sinclair asked. “We do have a reception to get ready for.”
At least both Sinclair and Montgomery had been amazing about the nuptials taken. Only Jaxon remained a stick in the mud.
“Not until we know the next step,” I interjected.
“She’s right,” Donatello piped in. “We should arrange a visit with Mr. Dreyfus.”
The various bit players who’d been utilized by the Brotherhood had met an early demise. That had included the photographer. The kid behind the desk at the adorable hotel where we’d stayed. Even a couple of new hires from Indulgence had disappeared.
“Oh, that’s exactly what we have planned,” Alexander told him. “As soon as we have everything in place. And don’t worry. That will be within days.”
I rose to my feet. “So we can go?”
“Absolutely.” Alexander had taken to studying me even more than he’d done before. Yes, he’d attempted to have a discussion after our return, but it had been cold and short. I simply hadn’t been in the mood.
However, when I’d called him before leaving for the church, he’d surprised me by being genuinely happy for me. Happy. Excited even.
Why was it that I felt so very much like a fake? I headed from the room before anyone could stop me. Within seconds, I sensed Donatello’s presence. He’d tried to talk to me before we’d come to the meeting and I’d shut him down.
I didn’t know what was wrong with me.
Was this a stupid case of now that I’d obtained my fantasy, I no longer wanted it? The sickness inside continued.
Before I left, I moved closer to Alexander so only he could hear. “You are giving me the wedding present I asked for. Yes?”
My brother laughed. “A little stout, but my friends in Italy are working on it.”
“That’s all I want, Alex. That’s it.”
“You love him.”
The answer should have come easily. “He deserves closure.”
“Yes, he does. I’ll ensure it happens. Go get ready for your party.”
Nodding, I backed away.
I was almost to the door when someone jumped out in front of me.
“Jesus!”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to terrify you.
” Catherine giggled when she saw my face.
As the glorious wife of Alexander and my mother’s favorite daughter-in-law, she’d come up with the idea of the reception, had planned it, supervised every detail, and remained in full control.
All while being the mother of two wildly adorable children and keeping her clients happy and out of jail.
Talk about Superwoman. “I’m fine. It’s just been an exhausting few days.” I also sensed Donatello lingered in the shadows. “Did you need anything?”
“I was just checking to make certain you didn’t. I know the first few weeks after getting married are the roughest.”
“Oh, yeah? And why is that?” If she noticed Donatello waiting in the wings, she didn’t show it. Or maybe she didn’t care. She spoke her mind like I did. As a matter of fact, every woman who’d married one of the Prince boys was strong, independent, and took no shit from anyone.
She gripped my hand. “How about a glass of wine while I tell you?”
Almost relieved, I nodded. “I would love one.”
“Come on.” Evidently, she did know Donatello would stop at nothing to talk to me, offering a look that would drive most men into the ground.
She’d purposely set up a little tête-à-tête since my grandmother was waiting at the kitchen table with a glass of wine in her hand. When you mixed alcohol with my grandmother, you never knew what words would come out of her mouth.
“Sit down, Emme,” Nona said. I’d called her Nona since I could remember, the only person who did.
I did as I was told as the Prince children had learned early in their lives never to ignore Lillian’s demands.
After pouring me a glass of wine, Catherine took her position by the kitchen island, her expression one of amusement. I had a feeling this was the exact same conversation all four women had received from the powerful woman either before or after marrying into the family.
While their situations were somewhat different than mine, mixing business with pleasure in the realm of the mafia was similar.
Reaching out, Nona took my hand. “Do you love him?”
The question was blunt out of the gate.
“I, um…”
“If you honestly need to think about your answer then you made a mistake and you don’t make mistakes.”
“Oh, yes, I do.”
The way my grandmother was looking at me was almost terrifying.
“No, you do not, Emmeline. You are a princess and I don’t care what you say, you are. However, you grew up being you when you were told to be anything but. You’re very strong, extremely intelligent, and you know what you want. Why are you doubting yourself now?”
“Who says I am?” I stole a quick glance at Catherine, who was nodding.
“Come now. I’ve lived a very long, somewhat arduous life and I’ve been required to deal with the men of the Prince family.
I also know a shining star when I see one.
All you women are. Every last girl who fell in love with my baby boys is so strong.
You’re no exception. You must be strong to marry a man like Donatello. ”
She was right. I laughed, taking a sip of wine. “Maybe we rushed into things.”
“Maybe so, but that doesn’t change the way you feel about him.
You need to trust in your gut. Loving any man isn’t easy.
God knows, I wanted to kill your grandfather on several occasions.
In fact I almost did. Twice.” Nona held up two of her fingers while I had to slap my hand across my mouth to keep from spewing wine.
“You did not.” Catherine was just as hysterical as I was.
Nona adjusted her shirt. “Yes, I did. He’d plucked my last nerve. That didn’t mean I didn’t love him. I miss him every day. I just needed to put him in his place every so often. Which is what you will need to do.”
“That’s not what’s bothering me.” Maybe all the fighting to keep from admitting why I was a nervous wreck was me just running away once again from my problems.
“Then what is?” Catherine asked. “Why did you really leave New Orleans? I know you too well by now. Something spooked you and nothing ever does.”
I looked down as if I needed to be ashamed of what I was thinking and what was wrong with me.
“You’re right. A call from my gynecologist. I was told I can’t have children.
Something about scar tissue on my ovaries.
I can’t grow a baby inside of me and every man wants a child, especially in this business. ”
“I’m so sorry,” Catherine said so quietly, it felt as if someone had died.
Exhaling, the ugly little sound that I made was a clear indication I’d yet to get over the horrible news. “I’ll be fine. I just won’t have children running through the house. Maybe I’ll adopt a couple furry babies.”
Catherine’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea. You can adopt.”