14
SERAFINA
T he ceremony was beautiful. The bride was gorgeous and the food was to die for. If I could pin the aesthetics of this wedding to a board, I would. Everything about today has been planned with thoughtful, delicate detail, and I’m totally here for it.
Luca and I sway to the music in an attempt to look like we don’t have ulterior motives. Despite the facade, the tension between us has evaporated and in its place is something lighter. There’s no sharp undertone, no subtle resentment. We’re just two people, dancing like this is the most normal thing in the world.
Levi has disappeared to negotiate a meeting with the elusive Greco, and Giovanni is nearby, keeping close contact with the Ferrante brothers. And while I’m trying to keep my nerves at bay, there’s one person I keep locking eyes with that sends shivers down my spine.
Luciano.
“Don’t give him the satisfaction, Bianchi.”
Luca turns us, redirecting our position so he can assess our surroundings— something he has been doing all day. His gaze softens as he looks down at me with a gentle smile, and that look alone fills me with the strength I didn’t know I needed .
“You’re a good dancer, Fontana.”
Luca rolls his eyes. “I hardly call this dancing,” he scoffs.
“Noted.”
We rock gently. The music is soft, but I’m focused on Luca and the way his eyes dart around the room once more. Maybe he feels it too, that charge of uncertainty. Or maybe he’s just being cautious. Either way, I feel safe.
“Sorry,” he mutters.
My pulse picks up, taken aback by the apology. It’s one word, but it’s the kind that leaves you vulnerable, and right now, I can see the sincerity shining in his eyes. “You don’t need to apologize.”
“Events like these always make me uncomfortable.”
I tilt my head, finally taking in his appearance. He looks less troubled than he did a couple of weeks ago. He’s relaxed, but not too much, and I can’t ignore how sharp he’s looking in his suit with his clean shaven jaw and hair brushed back.
We turn again, this time moving more freely, slipping past other guests. I know it’s a tactical move on Luca’s part, but I’m enjoying the sway.
“There’s too many people. Too many variables,” he whispers in my ear.
“Do you ever stop?” I ask, my brows furrowing together.
“Stop what?”
“Stop thinking and just live in the moment.” As soon as the words leave my mouth I realize the irony. It sounds hypocritical considering everything that has happened, but I hate the idea of Luca never enjoying life because he’s always on lookout, always anticipating, always worrying.
All of the sudden, Luca pushes me away. Our hands are still connected so when I reach arms length, he twirls me around and tugs me back to him. “Like this?”
A girlish giggle leaves my throat, and I can’t help but smile. “Something like that.”
We’re chest to chest now; closer than before. With my hands on his shoulders, and his firmly around my waist, it’s the first time I’ve actually felt carefree in a while. It’s liberating; to feel free from the burden of my position, free from the judgment of others. Inadvertently, I’ve been drawn into living in the moment, heeding my own words with Luca.
“You know,” I say, slowly reaching for his jawline. “I think I prefer the rugged look on you.”
A smile flits on Luca’s face. It’s there for barely a second, before it disappears. His gaze roams down my face, along my neck and shoulders. The delicate touch of his fingertips drawing lines up my back stokes a fire within. “I like this dress on you,” he comments, bringing his fingers up to slip beneath the strap of my dress, toying with it. “You wear it well.”
Our movements seem to stop. His words only fuel the fire inside me, and I can’t wait to hear more.
My pulse races as we lock eyes, a battle between lust and sensibility warring inside of me. With every second that passes, I feel the intensity of his gaze, those blue eyes drawing me into the depths. My gaze scours his perfect features, the smooth skin and sharp jawline until my eyes land on his mouth.
For a moment, I wonder what it would be like—What it would feel like to kiss him.
Would it be soft? Would it be demanding? Would it be just as consuming as Levi’s kiss was?
“You guys look cute together!”
I jump back slightly at the sound of Levi’s voice, not realizing how close to Luca I really was.
“We were just dancing,” I admonish, though deep down I’m kind of yearning for more. I shouldn’t feel like that, though. I’ve already crossed the line with Levi, and I don’t even know what that is right now.
“Hey!” Levi’s hand presses firmly against the base of my spine, urging me closer to Luca. “I don’t have a problem with it.” He smirks.
“Then stop ruining it,” Luca snaps playfully, twisting me away from Levi.
“I wish I could, but Greco has agreed to see you, Sera. ”
Merda. This is it.
Panic sets in; my mouth is suddenly dry and my heart rate picks up speed.
Luca grabs my hands, a soft smile lifting those plump lips. “Deep breath.” He nods at me, “You’ve got this.”
I’ve got this.
I roll my shoulders back as Giovanni appears by my side. With all three men surrounding me, Levi guides us out of the hall and down a corridor. The walls are decorated in red and gold, the colors of royalty. Greco always did consider himself high class, but we all know the truth. Any member of the Mafia can pretend, but nobody can buy their way to the top.
We finally reach a door where two of Greco’s men stand guard on either side. One holds his hand up to us, signaling for my men to wait out here. I can feel the tension rolling off their shoulders. While Levi’s fists clench in front of me, I can feel Luca’s anger lacing his hot breath at the back of my neck.
“I’ll be okay,” I assure them, stepping past Levi. “I’ll shout if I need you.”
Giovanni nods, accepting my order. I wish I could say the same for the other two who are locked in a staring contest with Greco’s guards. But I don’t have time to placate them. I just want to get this over with, preferably without a scratch on me. Today has already gone smoother than I thought. With Luciano and his brother arriving, I half expected another brawl like last week, but it appears they’re choosing to forgo brute force in favor of heavy intimidation tactics, staring me down whenever they can.
A shiver runs through me as I push those thoughts to the back of my mind and enter the room.
Greco sits behind a delicate white desk with gold trimming. I can only assume it belongs to the wedding planner because I have to fight the laughter bubbling beneath the surface at how out of place the man behind it looks.
“I trust there is a good reason why you asked to meet with me today?” Greco asks, peeling one leg over the other. Apparently, he’s attempting intimidation tactics of his own. He leans back in the tiny chair, linking his fingers at his chest.
In all honesty, I thought I would be more nervous. Since stepping through the door though, I’ve felt nothing but helplessness coming from the man who seems to hold every single card. He’s sought after, and he knows it. It’s what makes the man so difficult to contact. He avoids everybody, even the Elders. The only reason he has gotten away with it for so long is because he’s trusted. I presume that whatever Luca has on him will be a stark contradiction to that, but the less I know, the better.
“Well, you are a hard man to reach on the best of days. I trust there’s a reason you would be avoiding your leader?” I smirk, using the same tactics.
I take a seat in front of him, perching elegantly and confidently.
“What makes you think I am avoiding you? I have businesses to run, an empire to rule.”
His nonchalance irritates me, like an itch I can’t scratch.
“And yet you still answer to me.” The words spill calm and confidently. There’s no mistaking the authority I’m adopting, even though I’m concealing the slight tremble of my hands. “Or have you forgotten?”
“I admire your tenacity,” Greco says, leaning forward with a smile. It’s soft, fake, and menacing, but it gives me a glimpse into the real man. He’s conniving, not to be trusted at all. But I need him. I hate to admit it, but I need his family and their loyalty. “You get it from your fath?—”
“I didn’t come here to talk about my father,” I snap through gritted teeth.
“I know exactly why you’re here, Donna Bianchi.”
“Then you know what I’m going to ask.”
Greco sits back like he’s assessing me. The room lapses into a tense silence while he appears to contemplate his answer. I can already tell by the way he huffs that I’m going to have to get my hands dirty. I had hoped he wouldn’t put up a fight over this. The last thing I want to do is call him out on the side hustle he clearly doesn’t want anyone to know about.
Unfortunately, it seems that is the only route to take.
“You know I don’t like to get involved with disputes.”
My fists clench at his words, my temper burning furiously beneath the surface. “I would hardly call the attempt on my life a mere dispute. Family members died because of the Verdi’s actions!”
“If it’s loyalty you’re after, you already have it.” He waves a hand in the air.
“And your protection?” I grip the arms of my chair, fighting the urge to lunge at the asshole before me. “Do I have that?”
Greco looks put off, almost dismissive. I know what I’m asking of him, but the bigger picture far outweighs the reason not to align with me. “You’ll be putting a target on my family's back. You can’t expect me to put my family in danger.”
I take a deep breath, standing up to straighten my dress.
Greco’s eyes tour my body, and while I hate the look he gives me, or the way he licks his lips, it’s the only thing I know will get his attention.
“Of course,” I sigh. “I understand.”
Greco raises a brow, shifting nervously on his seat.
I smirk, knowing I have him right where I want him. Clearly, Greco wasn’t expecting that, which means my next words are definitely going to piss him off.
“Though if you’re unwilling to reconsider, I may have to look elsewhere,” I say, smoothing the material of my dress down over my knee. “I’m sure the Elders would exchange services for valuable information, like your secret little side business, perhaps?”
My words have the exact effect I intend. Gone is his confident posture and arrogant expression. His jaw is practically clicking with irritation. For a moment he regards me, probably wondering if I’m bluffing or how far I’m willing to take this. Unfortunately for him, I’m willing to go as far as I can to ensure the Verdis suffer.
Placing my hands flat on the desk, I tower over Greco’s form. “ Protection goes both ways, Greco. If you’re unwilling to offer yours, then I can’t protect you or your family from their wrath.”
The Elders are the retired leaders of La Cosa Nostra. Anything beyond my stretch of leadership defaults to them. While they have no hand in who takes over, they do oversee the legalities of our businesses. I’m not sure exactly what I’m dealing with when it comes to Greco, but his reaction to my threat tells me his side hustle isn’t exactly kosher.
He knows what the elder council would do to him if he was caught stepping outside of the gray boundaries we have in place. He understands the complexities of this life and how one single slip-up could land you at the bottom of the pile, left for the vultures to pick at. And when I say vultures, I mean the motorcycle gang that runs the streets, the bands of misfits that lurk in the shadows, prepared to take down anyone not protected by me and my family.
“You’re bluffing,” he sneers with narrowed eyes.
“ Am I ?” I goad. “Are you willing to take that risk?”
Greco huffs, his nonchalance long gone now. He’s practically foaming at the mouth from my threat. If he thought I was another female about to lie down and take this shit, he had another thing coming. I might be young, but I still have the backing of three families, plus my own.
“Fine!” Greco snaps at my unwavering form. “I’ll have my son contact you in a few days. We can spare you some men.”
“Tomorrow.”
The man grinds his teeth, the crunching sound piercing straight through. Obviously he doesn’t like being told what to do. A man of his age demands respect and power, he wants to be the one in charge, yet here he is deferring to a woman.
He fancies himself a king, but he’s bowing to a queen .
I raise a questioning brow, waiting for his confirmation.
“Tomorrow,” he concedes.
“Thank you.” A wave of relief crashes through me. For the sake of my position and what I stand for, I keep it together, remaining calm and composed. There are still formalities to adhere to and since I’m at a wedding, and the highest ranking member of the Mafia, I have a reputation to uphold.
Still, Greco accepts it with grace.
“And thank you for the wedding invitation, it really was a lovely ceremony,” I say with a smile. Pulling out a pre-written check from my purse, I place it on the table. It has always been the custom for the leading family to offer a monetary gesture, and to say I’ve been generous is an understatement. “My gift to the bride and groom.”
I turn before Greco even considers saying thank you, and head for the door. As soon as it opens, I feel three sets of eyes burning into me with impatient expectation. Levi looks pissed. Luca looks like he’s about to put bullets in the guards’ heads. And Giovanni… well, he’s still his stoic self, only I can sense the agitation he’s been battling. Being by my side is his job, and for a whole ten minutes the man was unable to fulfill his duty.
To some degree, I feel a little guilty for putting the guy through it. I know he’s there for my safety, but some things need to be dealt with alone, and I’m sure if Greco was aware that more people knew about his secret, the less effective my threat would have been.
I step past the brooding men and start my walk down the corridor.
“Let’s get out of here, boys. Our work is done.”