Page 90 of Monster in Disguise

With two fingers, I tip her jaw up and I see the apprehension in her eyes.

"You're the most beautiful woman I've seen in my life. Don't be embarrassed." Heat travels up her cheeks and she gives me a timid smile.

"Thank you," she whispers.

If I have it my way, she'll be hearing that every single day for the rest of our lives. But I know deep down that I don't have that much time with her. And I'll take all I can get.

Oddly enough, the banquet is hosted at the St. Regis Hotel's ballroom. Everything about the affair points to a peaceful event, seeing that it's taking place right in the center of the city. But appearances can be deceiving.

We arrive at the hotel and are escorted towards the ballroom. There's a routine security check that we have to pass through, but then we're good to go.

We're about to enter the ballroom when someone calls out my name.

"Marcello!" Catalina's hand tightens on my arm.

I school my features and turn to greet my uncle. This wasn't the way I wanted to see him again. I'd been in touch with my underbosses, but not with him. I'm sure he's taken offense at that, with him being the Consigliere and supposedly my right hand. I almost snort at the notion.

"Uncle," I greet him.

"Is this lovely lady your new wife?" He starts in a saccharine voice that's uncharacteristic of him.

"Yes," I respond, and tug Catalina slightly behind me, putting my body in front of her.

"Marcello," Nicolo shakes his head as if disappointed. "You didn't think to invite your family? Imagine my surprise when I find out my nephew," he pauses, "my capo got married and no one in the famiglia was invited." His criticism doesn't get past me. I'd known from the beginning that a small ceremony would raise eyebrows in the famiglia, given their penchant forextravagant weddings. But I couldn't... wouldn't subject Catalina to something like that. Not after what she'd been through. Besides, expediency had been paramount.

"It was rather sudden," I reply, closing the subject. Catalina is off limits. To everyone.

Nicolo narrows his eyes at me but doesn't comment further.

"I'm glad you could be with us tonight." He fakes a cough and walks past us.

"So that was your uncle..." Catalina frowns at his retreating figure. He's come alone tonight, it seems.

"Stay away from him. He's dangerous."

"Why?" She peers at me from beneath her eyelashes.

"He doesn't think I should be capo," I answer grimly. And because of that, I don't know what he's capable of.

"Lina!" Enzo comes to our side. He's looking immaculate as always, dressed in a white suit and a black shirt.

"Enzo." Catalina releases my arm to give him a hug.

"And your wife?" I ask, noting he's alone.

"She'll be here at some point," Enzo shrugs.

Dropping the topic, we head inside the ballroom.

There must be around fifty people inside, all of them highly ranked within the five families. Or four... I scan the room and see that DeVille hasn't shown up or sent anyone on their behalf.

"DeVille's not here."

"Did you expect them?" Enzo raises an eyebrow.

"Not really, but stranger things have happened," I remark, my eyes focusing on the crowd once more.

I zero in on Benedicto Guerra, the current capo. He's in his late forties but still looking fit. I remember him from back in the day, but I can't say we've had many interactions. Next to him is his brother, Franco, Antonio Guerra's father. He's the one holding my attention because he's the first one who'd like retribution for his son's death.

---