20
SERAFINA
I comb my fingers through my damp hair and take a look at my reflection. I’m looking a lot more refreshed now, but that doesn’t calm the impending doom sending me into a spiral. I knew leading would be difficult, but I never expected it to be a constant fight for my own survival. And if what Raf says is true, I’m going to need to make a visit to the bay. Visiting The Vultures is not my ideal situation, but it might be the only solution to call them off.
Pinning my hair up, I dab on some makeup. My lip can’t be saved right now, neither can the bandage on my head, but I can at least fix the dark circles plaguing my eyes.
A knock at the door has me turning from the bathroom counter. Levi pokes his head through the bedroom door hesitantly. “You okay?” he asks gently.
I exhale, allowing my shoulders to drop. Between last night’s events and Raf appearing back in my life, I’m a little torn on the exact emotion I should be feeling. Something doesn’t sit right with me. Raf willing to help us, The Vultures knowing where we would be. Maybe we do have a mole.
My father would know what to do. He has the experience and knowledge to advise me.
“Sera?”
“I’m fine,” I sigh, wincing at the headache returning.
“So what’s the plan for today?”
I lean back against the wall. It’s a question I need to think about. If I even consider asking my dad for advice or help, I don’t want him to think I’m weak. Then again, anyone who knows what happened last night might think that anyway.
“We need to see my father,” I answer reluctantly.
Levi frowns, but he doesn’t question me on it. He’s probably inwardly agreeing with this decision because there’s only so much he can advise me on. He’s got the battle strategy, but I need to hash out the consequences. I need to make sure I’m not missing anything when it comes to taking down the Verdis.
While Levi gathers everyone, I finish getting ready. The thought doesn’t bypass me that the last time I stepped foot outside, our convoy was attacked. I can’t keep letting the fear of my demise stop me from going about my business as normal. If Luciano even gets a whiff of me going into hiding I’m as good as dead.
With a level head, I meet everyone in the living room. Raf has already left, Luca looks like he was about to leave, and the Ferrante brothers are twitching to get out of here. I eye them all up individually, wondering what the hell I did to deserve these men’s loyalty. I make a promise to myself that whatever happens, I won’t let these guys take a fall for me. That’s not what a leader does.
“Shall we go?” I ask them.
Giovanni nods stoically from his position by the doorway before turning away from us. Luca follows behind, then the twins, while Levi holds out his arm for me to take.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Levi says in a low tone, smirking as he does so.
I frown. How could this guy possibly know what is going on in my head?
“You deserve a crew like this,” he nods ahead of us. “They know your capability. They need someone like you to lead them, not some egotistical micio that will throw them under the bus the first chance he gets. ”
We stop at the front door. We’re not in earshot of anyone, but Levi still makes a point of keeping the words between us as private as possible. “You’re going to do great things, Bianchi. We will do whatever we can to ensure that because you’re the future of this family.”
His words hit me deep, spreading a warmth through the butterflies preparing to flutter. I won’t deny that his words fill me with confidence, but there’s also a certainty to his words. A defiant power that assures me I will come out on the other side of this.
It’s easy to let fear control you when you’re so close to death. It’s easy to escape in the darkness when you can’t see the light. But Levi, even Luca, maybe even Giovanni, seem to be the light I need guiding me out of the dark place that threatens to swallow me up. If I can avoid it long enough, I might just survive this shitstorm.
Once we’re all in our vehicles, Giovanni guides the convoy further into the hills. The bay is behind us, a breezy landscape that provides a backdrop to my unease.
Levi squeezes my hand. It’s like he can sense the anxiety before it has even creeped up on me. I’m starting to realize just how much Levi is aware of me, of my habits and emotions. He has always been there for me, and I don’t think I would have it any other way.
Letting my mind wander, I think back to this morning. Not just the kiss between Luca and I, but what transpired out by the pool between Luca and Levi. I turn to face my second in command, only to find a smile curling those beautiful lips.
“So you wanna tell me why Fontana is all messed up?” His lips part on a deeper smile, one that forces dimples into his cheeks and causes his eyes to turn mischievous.
“You first,” I counter. “What was that about by the pool?”
Levi leans in, nudging me with his broad shoulder. “I have a feeling it was about the same thing.”
I avert my gaze to my lap, my thumbs circling each other. Heat crawls up my cheeks, settling in an unavoidable blush that Levi strokes with his thumb. How do I tell him that we kissed without hurting him? He already voiced how he stood on the sidelines all those years waiting for Enzo to make his move. Will this push him away again?
I don’t have the chance to think about it much more, because as soon as the gates to my father’s place come into view, Levi creates space between us.
I hate to say that for once, I need it. It allows me to take a few deep breaths and collect my thoughts.
My father is already standing outside waiting for us when we arrive. Giovanni pulls the car around, eyeing me up in the mirror for a moment before stepping out.
“ Tesora !” My father lilts once my feet hit the first step. His face drops from its friendly smile to a frown of concern. “What happened?”
Subconsciously, I reach for the bandage on my forehead. “There was an accident.”
Before I can say another word, my father has me in his arms, wrapping me up in a hug so tight I feel I might suffocate. I wince as he presses against the bullet wound on my arm, stifling the urge to cry out from the pressure.
When he finally releases me, he pulls me to arm’s length, checking me over. “Tell me about it inside.”
I nod, then follow him into the mansion he still calls his home. Even after Mom’s passing, he refuses to downsize. It’s not like he has a family to fill the place anymore, but he always goes on about the memories it holds, and I’d be an asshole to ignore how close he feels to her.
Levi walks beside me as we enter. Giovanni and the rest of the guys stay outside as a sign of respect, a gesture that sends pangs of admiration through my chest. I might be trying to redesign La Cosa Nostra, but these guys still have respect for those around them. I wish I could say all families were so inclined.
“I trust there is a reason for the entourage, Tesora ?” My father takes a seat in the oversized chair. It takes up just a fraction of the living room, but it still swallows him up. My father is in no way a small guy. He’s the epitome of a teddy bear in disguise with his burly figure but gentle heart. But something about seeing him surrounded by the leather chair makes me smile; it’s like the scene out of Goldilocks.
Levi clears his throat, standing beside me as I take a seat opposite my father. “Donna Bianchi was attacked last night.”
I hold my breath as he says the words so casually, like we should’ve expected it. To be honest, we probably should have. But that’s on me and the fact I was so caught up in the intimate moments that I didn’t think the Verdis would be so bold as to attack me after a gathering of the families.
Lesson learned.
“The Verdis?” My father frowns.
“We think so. I have people gathering intel, the Ferrante brothers and Fontana have my back…”
My father nods, his earlier question answered. “Do I need to get the Elders involved?”
“No,” I reply firmly. The last thing I want is their noses poking around. I want this handled properly because I’m not so confident that they will actually lift a finger to do anything. Taking out my enemies my way is the only solution right now.
“I won’t let anything happen to her, sir.” Levi bristles beside me.
My father glances between my second in command and the bandage on my head. Thankfully, I’m wearing a suit that covers the bandage on my arm. I can only imagine how that conversation would go if he knew I had been shot at.
“The injury on my daughter’s head says otherwise, Marchese,” my father growls. “Maybe having the Elders involved will put this issue to bed.”
“If you’d rather hand your daughter’s head to them on a platter, go right ahead,” Levi snaps back. He’s no longer cool and collected like usual. Being questioned on his capabilities has definitely hit a nerve.
“Watch your tone, Marchese. I?—”
“Pa,” I frown, shaking my head. “Levi couldn’t have prevented this. Someone came after us last night after the Greco wedding. We didn’t see it coming.”
My father sneers, his lip turned up in disappointment as he surveys Levi. “It is your job to expect these things. And now my daughter is sporting wounds.”
“It’s just a scratch!” My words do nothing to calm my father down. While I get where he’s coming from, he’s no longer leading the family. He needs to take a step back.
“Scratch or not, I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
My gaze drops to my feet. Guilt wracks through me and I can’t even tell why.
“None of us do, sir,” Levi answers. “We all want Donna Bianchi to remain in her position. We’ve even recruited the support of additional families to ensure her safety.”
My father crosses one leg over the other, his fingers drumming a rhythm on the armrest of his chair. “Do you have a plan?”
“Mancini is running surveillance on the Verdis. They’ve been recruiting manpower from a crew at the marina.”
“The Vultures,” I clarify.
My father shifts nervously in his chair. Nothing good has ever come from The Vultures. Anything and everything that they’re involved in is tainted. They might just be worse than La Cosa Nostra.
“You have a handle on this?” My father asks.
“Somewhat?” I shrug. “If you have any advice, I’m not too proud to ask for it.”
“I’d do what you’re already doing. Running surveillance, getting backed by other families. If push comes to shove, I would get the Elders involved, though I’m not sure what they would even do. The Verdis are a law unto themselves, clearly. Getting another gang to do their dirty work sounds like the perfect get-out clause. Blame them when the heat creeps up.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Make sure you have a solid plan. I don’t like the idea of my little girl being involved in feuds, but I can’t blame you for wanting to retaliate.”
“It’s not retaliation, Father. I’m putting a stop to this.” I shrug, “But if a bullet lands in Luciano’s head, I won’t be sad about it.”
“All I’m saying is the chances of The Verdis planning this since the expectancy of your inauguration is high. Don’t put anything past them. And don’t underestimate them.”
I wish I could ask my father for more than this. His help would be invaluable. Unfortunately, as a retired family member, all I can gain is advice, and he knows that much as well.
My father stands, shaking Levi’s hand before turning to me. “Take care of yourself, Tesora .” He plants a kiss on my forehead. “I don’t want to see anymore of these,” he laughs, pointing at the bandage on my head.
“ Ti voglio bene, Papa .”
“ Ti voglio .”