Page 18 of Marcello DeLuca

“Always,” I replied softly, our foreheads touching. “And who knows? Maybe I’ll trip too. We can fall together.”

Marcello's laughter mingled with the buzz of the crowd. “Deal. But only if you promise to hold my hand the whole way down.”

I grinned and nodded. “It’s a date.”

Chapter Seven

Marcello

An Amazing Night

As the evening wound down, the guests gradually trickled out. Finally, a comfortable silence fell on the DeLuca estate. I hadn’t expected this to be such a heavy night. Graduation was a success, the family gathering an even huger success, but my grandfather’s request had my mind in a tailspin.

Me, a mafia boss?

Vito wanted to relinquish his title of capo, and hand the reigns over to me. My father had groomed me to run one of his dealerships, but I had no idea I would even be considered as next in line to be capo.

My father agreed with Vito that I had the heart and dedication to the DeLuca family to become the new leader of Columbus. So, it was settled. I would work with Vito until I was ready to take over.

After the long day, I was pleased to be alone at last with Lanay, where I could focus solely on her and leave thoughts of my future responsibilities behind.

We were in the setting room with flickering candles casting a soft, golden light over everything. It was a little after nine thirty when my grandfather and his aides left, marking the end of the evening’s formalities and the beginning of something more personal.

Dad had a knowing twinkle in his eye as he bid us good night. “I will head up to bed and give you two some privacy,” he said, his voice carrying that familiar tone of fatherly warmth. “But don’t forget to have Lanay home by eleven as her uncle requested.”

“I will get her home by eleven,” I promised. “Sleep well.”

Once his footsteps faded up the winding staircase, I slid closer to Lanay on the plush sofa, a contented sigh escaping my lips. Finally, it was just us.

She glanced at me, and a smile tugged at her lips. “You know, Marcello,” she began, her eyes sparkling mischievously, “I heard a great joke the other day. Want to hear it?”

“Okay,” I said, leaning in closer, genuinely intrigued by what she might say. “Lay it on me.”

Her eyes twinkled as her grin widened. “Why don’t scientists trust atoms?”

I tilted my head, pretending to ponder. “I don’t know, why?”

“Because they make up everything!” she exclaimed.

We both doubled over in laughter.

She always had an incredible sense of humor, and her laughter was contagious, a sound that filled the room with joy and made everything feel right in the world. It was moments like these that reminded me why I had fallen for her so deeply.

As our laughter died down, I found myself gazing at her, caught in the mesmerizing light of her eyes.

“Alright, Marcello,” Lanay said, her eyes dancing with mischief, “I’ve got another one for you. Why did the scarecrow win an award?”

I chuckled, eager to hear her punchline. “I don’t know, why?”

“Because he was outstanding in his field!” she announced, her face lighting up with more joy.

I burst out laughing, shaking my head at the cleverness of it. “That’s a good one. You never fail to amaze me. You always know how to make me laugh.”

“I’m glad to lighten your mood. I could tell that you felt a little overwhelmed tonight,” she said, offering me a smile.

Before she could respond, I leaned closer. My hand caressed her face, admiring the warmth of her skin. With the mixture of innocence and desire in her eyes, everything else melted away. The world outside, the pressures of family expectations, all faded into the background.

“I’ve wanted to do this all night,” I murmured, my breath mingling with hers as I closed the distance. And then, without another word, I was kissing her. It was the kiss I had been yearning for, intense and tender all at once.

---