Chapter 23
Tiziano Constanzo
I was waiting for Bianca so I could accompany her to dinner while I finished handling a few important matters in my office. The room was immersed in a heavy silence, broken only by the rustling of the papers in my hands.
My uncle Luigi was sitting in the armchair near the desk, his gaze fixed on me as though his words had been trapped inside him for some time.
“If you have something to say, say it already,” I muttered without looking away from the documents, impatience dripping from my voice.
He let out a heavy sigh, shifting in the armchair before answering, clearly searching for the right words so he wouldn’t irritate me more than necessary.
“How was the honeymoon?” he asked.
I lifted my eyes from the papers, arching an eyebrow.
“It took you that long to come up with such a trivial question? Everything went perfectly.”
He ignored my sarcasm. Luigi didn’t move, only leaned slightly forward in the chair, his expression serious.
“Tonight’s dinner will be with members of the allied families and our main investors. Everyone has confirmed.”
“Everyone?” I leaned back in my chair, frowning.
“Yes. They’re expecting you.”
I calmly closed the folder, giving him my full attention.
“What do they want? Wasn’t it enough that I had to cut my honeymoon short because of the attack on the nightclub?”
“Assurances, Tiziano.” Luigi clasped his hands over his knees, the lines on his face deepening. “They want to know whether the Constanzo family is still standing strong, especially because of the attack on the Venus nightclub.”
“There have been rumors, Tiziano. That Bellini’s son is trying to do business in Naples. And the attack on the nightclub wasn’t just a provocation. Now the investors and allies have their eyes on you. They need proof that your control isn’t at risk.”
I remained silent, drumming my fingers against the arm of the chair.
“There is no risk.” My voice cut through the air like a cold blade, making Luigi tilt his head attentively, as though he were sitting across from something unpredictable.
“Who the hell does that Bellini brat think he is? His father was nothing more than a capo with delusions of grandeur, convinced he could challenge the Constanzos and take what never belonged to him.”
I paused, trying to control my breathing, which always grew heavy whenever I heard about those bastards.
“And the son seems to have inherited the same pathetic habit of challenging the impossible. But he’ll learn, just like his father did. The only difference is that I won’t make the same mistakes. I won’t leave anyone alive.”
“Everyone will want to see the ‘new Mrs. Constanzo’ too.”
I looked at him with a mixture of boredom and irritation.
“What does Bianca have to do with any of this?”
“Everything. She’s a piece on the board now, Tiziano. Her presence sends a message. Your choice was questioned, and if she fails, you fail with her.”
That word, fail, made my blood boil. I rose from the chair and picked up the untouched glass of whiskey from the desk. I downed it in one swallow, feeling the burn travel down my throat.
“They want a show of strength, then they’ll get one,” I growled. “Tonight, every one of those bastards will leave knowing that the Constanzo name is still the most powerful in Italy.”
“And Bianca?” Luigi asked, almost hesitantly.
I gave him a crooked smile, the kind of smile that made even my allies second-guess their own words.
“Bianca will play her part. She won’t be the one to stain my name.”
Luigi nodded, although I could see doubt in his eyes.
“Make sure she looks impeccable. She can’t appear out of place.”
“Leave that to me,” I said, ending the conversation as I left the room and headed toward my bedroom, where Bianca was getting ready.
I climbed the stairs and walked to the bedroom where Bianca was getting dressed.
As soon as I opened the door, I found her standing in front of the mirror, delicately pinning up her hair.
A long black dress already molded to her body, simple but elegant.
Something about her seemed out of place, almost as though the fabric were too grand for her still-withdrawn posture.
She turned when she heard the door and froze, her anxious eyes meeting mine.
“Are you ready?” I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
“Almost,” she replied quietly. She turned back toward the mirror and adjusted her necklace, her trembling hands revealing her insecurity.
I approached slowly until I stopped behind her. Our eyes met in the mirror. I touched the necklace, calmly adjusting it while I felt Bianca hold her breath.
“Don’t let them see your fear,” I murmured. “Tonight, everyone will be watching you.”
“I don’t know how to behave in a place like that,” she whispered, looking away, her cheeks flushing slightly.
I gently took hold of her chin, forcing her to look at me.
“Look at me.” I waited until her eyes returned to mine. “You are Tiziano Constanzo’s wife. That alone is enough. No one will dare question your place unless you allow them to.”
She nodded slowly, but I could still see the nervousness in her expression.
“Come.” I released her face and stepped away. “We don’t have time for doubts or insecurity.” I paused. “You look beautiful,” I added casually, watching surprise spread across her face.
“Thank you,” she replied softly, almost voiceless.
“Remember what I told you,” I added as we left the bedroom. “There’s no room for weakness tonight.”
Bianca didn’t answer, but she straightened her posture. Even if it was forced, she seemed to be trying to absorb my words.
We went downstairs together to the mansion’s foyer, where Luigi and Enzo were waiting for us. Enzo, as always, didn’t miss the opportunity to smirk when he saw Bianca.
“Well, look at that. She actually looks presentable,” Enzo murmured, his voice low but loud enough for me to hear.
I shot him a warning look.
“Let’s go,” I ordered, holding the door open for Bianca to walk ahead. She took a deep breath and stepped outside.
As soon as we got into the car and the door closed, I looked at Bianca beside me. She stared out the window, her hands clenched in her lap.
“Remember,” I reinforced, my voice firm. “Anyone who dares disrespect you is disrespecting me. And no one challenges a Constanzo without consequences.”
She turned her face toward me, holding my gaze for a moment, and I saw the beautiful smile that quietly formed on her lips.
She had no choice. Tonight, she would learn how to wield the power of my name.
The car glided along the dark road, the sound of the engine nearly swallowed by the silence inside the cabin. Bianca sat beside me, her hands folded over her lap, her eyes lost beyond the window.
“Are you nervous?” I asked without taking my eyes off the road ahead.
“A little,” she replied after a pause. “I’m not used to… this.”
I let out a low, forced laugh.
“Get used to it. From now on, you’ll be the center of attention whether you like it or not.”
She cast me a quick glance, almost annoyed, but didn’t answer. I looked at her again for a moment, noticing the way the dress molded to her curves. It was impossible to ignore her.