Chapter 11 Cesare
CHAPTER ELEVEN
cesare
ONE MONTH LATER
“Today, you'll be in attendance with Lorenzo and me. It's a meeting with the Syndicate. You may not like what happens, but you don't interfere or comment unless spoken to," I tell Ciro and Giovanni as we arrive at Ronan Delaney's hotel.
"Yes, boss," they reply in unison.
They're finally stepping up and becoming the men I knew them to be.
After Beatrice died, I left them alone, wanting them to heal from her death.
But sometimes you need a push, and my boys needed me to push them.
For the past month, they've been showing not only me but the rest of my men that they can be trusted to be part of the organization.
"May I ask what's going to happen?" Ciro questions.
"After the shit that went down with the Harringtons, we need a stronger, tighter alliance. One that involves all of the Syndicate," I say as we step into the foyer where Lorenzo waits.
"You mean we'll be given wives?" Gio asks, eyes narrowed.
"Possibly. That's what today is about. We'll wait and see. Your brother is eldest. He'll have first choice, and it'll go from there."
"Lucky me," Lorenzo comments dryly. "But I have a feeling our father has already picked which family I should be choosing from."
I smile. I do indeed. Lorenzo will be marrying one of Ronan Delaney's daughters. If I know my son, he'll be choosing Ronan's eldest daughter, Daire.
But time will tell.
As we enter the meeting room, I scan the faces of the other Syndicate leaders. Ronan Delaney, head of the Irish faction, is already seated at the head of the table. His sharp eyes follow us as we take our seats. His sons, Daithi, Conn, and Caden, are seated with him.
"Cesare," he greets with a nod. "I see you've brought the boys along. Good. Hopefully we can get this sorted today."
I return his nod. "Indeed. The sooner the better."
The rest of the leaders file in. Olezka Morozov, leader of the Bratva, along with his sons, Danil and Rurik, and then all four of the East Street Kings: Prior, Landon, Scantor, and Miller King.
"Gentlemen," Ronan begins, his Irish brogue thick. "We all know why we're here. The incident with the Harringtons has shown us our alliance needs strengthening. We can't afford any more cracks in our foundation."
Murmurs of agreement around the table. I catch Lorenzo's eye, seeing sharp interest there. He knows what's coming.
Ronan continues, "To that end, we propose a series of arranged marriages between our families. Binding our bloodlines will ensure loyalty and cooperation for generations to come."
I watch this sink in for Ciro and Giovanni. Ciro's face remains impassive, but I can see tension in his jaw. Giovanni, always more expressive, looks slightly pale.
Fuck. Here we go.
Olezka speaks up. "Excellent idea. My eldest daughter is of marriageable age. She would make a fine wife for one of your sons, Cesare."
Before I can respond, Prior cuts in. "Any of my brothers would work for your daughters."
I hold up a hand to quiet them. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We need to discuss terms of these arrangements first."
For the next hour, we hash out details. Who marries whom, what dowries will be exchanged, how business interests will be divided.
Through it all, I keep an eye on my sons.
Lorenzo participates actively, asking intelligent questions and making astute observations.
Ciro and Giovanni remain silent as instructed, but I can see them taking everything in.
Finally, Ronan leans back in his chair. "Well, I think we've made good progress. Cesare, your Lorenzo will marry my Daire. A fine match, if I do say so myself."
I nod, pleased. "Agreed. And for your son, Ronan, Daithi will marry—"
"My daughter Odessa," Olezka interjects smoothly.
"Then I'll marry your daughter Mila, Olezka," Miller King inputs, sitting back with his arms crossed, looking unimpressed.
"Excellent," Olezka says with a sharp grin. "Then Danil will marry your eldest daughter, Cesare. Elisabetta."
Ciro's eyes narrow at Olezka's words, but he stays seated without a word.
"That ties every family to another. It's enough for now," I say, annoyed that the Kings only have to marry into the Russians, but it'll do.
Ronan nods. "I agree. Enough for now."
As the meeting concludes, I can see the weight of what's transpired settling on my sons' shoulders. Lorenzo appears contemplative but composed, while Ciro and Giovanni exchange uneasy glances.
"Well, gentlemen," Ronan says, rising. "I believe we've accomplished what we set out to do today. Let's reconvene in a month to finalize details and set dates for ceremonies."
Murmurs of agreement as everyone begins filing out. I hang back, gesturing for my sons to do the same. Once we're alone, I turn to face them.
"You have questions," I state.
Lorenzo speaks first, voice measured. "Father, I understand the necessity of these arrangements, but are you certain this is the best course? Tying ourselves so closely to the other families could be risky if any were to betray us."
I nod, appreciating his strategic thinking. "It's a calculated risk, Lorenzo. But the benefits outweigh potential drawbacks. These marriages will create a web of alliances difficult for anyone to break without severe consequences."
Ciro clears his throat. "And what about Elisabetta? She's barely eighteen. Are we really going to force her into marriage with someone she doesn't know?"
I study Ciro carefully, noting concern in his eyes. It's the first time I've seen him show such open emotion about his sister.
"Elisabetta understands her duty to this family," I say firmly. "Just as you all do. This isn't about personal feelings; it's about securing our future."
Giovanni, who's been uncharacteristically quiet, finally speaks. "What about us, Father? Will we be expected to marry soon as well?"
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "Not immediately, no. But yes, in time, you'll likely be called upon to make similar alliances. It's how our world works, boys. You've always known this."
The room falls silent as my sons absorb this information.
Finally, Lorenzo straightens his shoulders. "We understand, Father. We'll do what needs to be done for the family."
Ciro and Giovanni nod in agreement, though I can still see uncertainty in their eyes.
"Good," I say, feeling a mixture of pride and regret. "Now, let's head home. Your sisters will want to know what happened, and we need to prepare Elisabetta for what's coming."
As we make our way out of the hotel, my thoughts turn to Vittoria. How will she react to this news? Will she see it as a betrayal of the growing bond between her and my children? Or will she understand the necessity of it all?
"Cesare," Vittoria says later once we're in our room. "Do you have a date set for Elisabetta's wedding?"
I pause, studying her face carefully. She's been so much more open with me lately, but I can still see hesitation in her eyes.
"Not yet," I reply, moving to sit beside her on the edge of the bed. "We'll be meeting again in a month to finalize details and set dates. Why do you ask?"
Vittoria fidgets with the hem of her shirt, a habit I've noticed she turns to when she's nervous. "I was just thinking... Elisabetta is so young. Barely older than I was when we got married. I know this is how things work in our world, but I can't help worrying for her."
Her concern for my daughter touches me. Despite the rocky start between Vittoria and my children, she's grown to care for them deeply over the past month.
"I understand your concern," I say, reaching out to take her hand. "But Elisabetta has been raised knowing this day would come. She's prepared."
Vittoria nods, but I can see she's not convinced. "I know. It's just... I remember how scared I was on our wedding day. How uncertain about everything. I don't want her to feel that way."
I feel a pang of guilt at her words, remembering how young and vulnerable Vittoria looked on our wedding day.
"What are you suggesting?" I ask, curious about her thoughts.
"Have Lorenzo's wedding at least a year from now.
It'll give Elisabetta time to adjust to what's going to happen, maybe even get to know her husband-to-be.
I understand women in our world marry young, but Elisabetta isn't even nineteen yet, Cesare.
Maybe you could push it until she's at least twenty? "
I think about her words. She's right. Lorenzo will be the first to marry. If we set the date for next year, it'll give everyone, Elisabetta included, time to come to terms with it all.
"You may be right," I say slowly. "Pushing Lorenzo's wedding back a year would give everyone more time to prepare. And it would allow Elisabetta to finish her education before her own marriage."
Vittoria's eyes light up with hope. "Really? You'd consider it?"
I nod, squeezing her hand gently. "I'll propose it at the next meeting. I can't guarantee the others will agree, but I'll do my best to make it happen."
Vittoria leans in, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. "Thank you, Cesare. I know it will mean a lot to Elisabetta, even if she doesn't say it."
As she pulls back, I catch her face in my hands, studying her intently. "You've grown to care for them, haven't you? My children?"
She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. "I have. They're good kids, Cesare. And... they're family now."
Her words fill me with warmth I can't quite describe. "You're a remarkable woman, Vittoria Mariano," I say softly, before leaning in to capture her lips in a tender kiss.
When we part, Vittoria's cheeks are flushed, eyes bright. "There's something else I wanted to talk to you about," she says, voice slightly breathless.
"Oh?" I raise an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"
Vittoria takes a deep breath, like she's steeling herself. "You have children already. Do you want any more?"
I'm silent for a moment, contemplating her question. "I hadn't really thought about it," I admit. "My children are grown now, and I assumed that chapter of my life was closed."
Vittoria nods, eyes downcast. "I understand. I just... I wanted to know where you stood."
I hate when she looks away from me. I reach out, gently tilting her chin up so she's looking at me. "Tori, are you saying you want children?"
She bites her lip, hesitating before answering. "I... I think I do. Not right away, of course. But someday. I've always dreamed of being a mother."
Her admission makes my chest tighten. The idea of Vittoria carrying my child, of starting a new family with her, is suddenly very appealing. Seeing her round with my baby is something I'm actually looking forward to.
"I never thought I'd consider having more children," I tell her. "But with you... the idea isn't unappealing. In fact, I think I might like it very much."
Vittoria's eyes light up with hope, and it's blinding. "Really? You'd want that? With me?"
I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Of course with you, Tori. You're my wife. And more than that, you've become someone I care for deeply. The thought of creating a family with you... it feels right."
Her eyes fill with unshed tears, but she still has that brilliant smile. "Oh, Cesare," she whispers, wrapping her arms around me.
I hold her tight, unable to believe how much has changed between us in such a short time.
"We don't have to decide anything now," I say softly. "We have time. But I want you to know I'm open to the idea. When you're ready, when we're both ready, we can start trying for a baby."
Vittoria nods against my chest. "Thank you," she murmurs. "For considering it. For being open to it."
I pull back slightly, cupping her face between my hands. "You never have to thank me, Tori. Not ever."
I lean in, capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. I can't help thinking about the future, a future that now includes the possibility of a child with Vittoria. It's a future I never expected, but one I'm suddenly very much looking forward to.
I just hope it doesn't upset my children and make them turn against Tori once again.
Later that evening, I gather my children in the sitting room. Vittoria is upstairs resting, still recovering from her injuries, but I know this conversation will affect her deeply.
"I have news from today's meeting," I begin, noting how they all tense slightly. "There will be more marriages."
Elisabetta's face goes pale, and I see her hands tremble slightly. But she lifts her chin, meeting my gaze directly.
"Who?" she questions, her voice shaky.
"Lorenzo, you'll marry Daire Delaney. Elisabetta, you'll marry Danil Morozov."
The silence that follows is deafening. Elisabetta's composure finally cracks, and tears spill down her cheeks.
"When?" she whispers.
This is where Vittoria's influence comes in. "Not for at least a year," I say, and I see relief flood Elisabetta's face. "I've proposed pushing the timeline back to give everyone more time to prepare."
"A year?" Lorenzo asks, surprise in his voice.
I nod. "Your stepmother suggested it. She thought it would be better for everyone involved, especially Elisabetta."
I see the surprise on all their faces. They're still adjusting to the idea that Vittoria cares about their welfare.
"She... she did that for me?" Elisabetta asks, voice barely audible.
"Yes," I say firmly. "Vittoria understands what it's like to face an arranged marriage. She wanted to make sure you had time to prepare, to finish your education."
Elisabetta breaks down completely then, sobbing into her hands. Sofia immediately goes to her sister, wrapping her arms around her.
"I want to thank her," Elisabetta says between sobs. "I've been so awful to her, and she still..."
"She still cares about you," I finish. "All of you. Despite how you've treated her, she sees you as family."
The guilt on my children's faces is clear. They're realizing what I've known for weeks now: Vittoria isn't just some outsider trying to replace their mother. She's genuinely trying to become part of our family.
As Elisabetta rushes out of the room, I turn to my sons. "This is how it works in our world," I say quietly. "But that doesn't mean we can't try to make it easier for each other. Vittoria understands that, even if it took the rest of us longer to see it."
Lorenzo looks at me with new understanding in his eyes. "She's not what any of us expected, is she?"
"No," I agree. "She's not. She's better."
And as I head upstairs to check on my wife, I realize that's the truth. Vittoria has become far more than I ever hoped for when this arrangement was made.
She's become the heart of our family.