Page 56 of Third Degree

The deal back then was to always open the club. Don’t get involved in the day-to-day, but let us launder the money through the club with you. I kept Bea safe. I kept her and the kids safe. So, I took a page from that book. I needed to keep Gianna safe. I couldn’t let the family win again, but that didn’t mean that the last two months hadn’t been the worst and longest of my life.

Briefly, the thought crossed my mind—how she must have felt when I abruptly left. I even wondered if she still wanted to be with me.

I looked around to see Ricardo and Julian at the bar pouring drinks for us while we waited and Alex anxiously pacing among the security detail that had started to get in place.

“In all honesty, is this level of security really necessary?” I asked, taking a seat in the opulent room adorned with exquisite furnishings, a cozy fire crackling in the corner.

“You know how it is these days, the need to show off and prove who has the upper hand.” Ricardo chuckled, glancing around at us. We exchanged amused looks.

“A simple ‘thank you’ would suffice, Papa,” Julian interjected, tossing me a gin.

“Well, let’s go over the plan once again,” Alex said, expressing his nervousness.

He had a lot at stake if word got out, but I had reassured him countless times throughout the process that no one would discover our scheme. He only risked exposure for twenty-four hours before her father would realize it wasn’t him standing at the altar.

Tonight and tomorrow morning, he just had to play the role.

“I can’t believe you’re marrying Tatum’s friend, Papa,” Julian added, and Ricardo shot me a glance.

“Oh, you didn’t know?” Julian quipped, raising an eyebrow. “Daphne, or Gianna, or whatever the hell her name is, happens to be my wife’s best friend. Thank God I didn’t find out until today, or else my wife would’ve blown the cover on this entire operation.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me, Marchetti.” Ricardo looked at me, aghast, and I simply shrugged.

“Not kidding.”

“All right, who am I to judge a man’s youthful taste?” Ricardo laughed, joined by Alex.

“Enough with the banter,” I intervened, growing weary of this circus as I waved them off. “I’m done with it.”

“The plan?” Alex inquired.

“Right.” I began to explain what was going to happen yet again to the boys, making sure that we all were on the same page. “Without saying anything, we are simply agreeing that an eligible Marchetti man will be there tomorrow. They won’t suspect me because I never married after your mama.”

The boys shared a sorrowful look with each other.

“I don’t want you to say anything, Alex. Just stand there in the corner and nod every so often.”

“It is imperative no one agrees to a name over who is getting married. It is how we will prevent a war between the two families. The document we are going to sign is simply going to say Mr. Marchetti.”

“I forgot how old-school the Mafia treats marriage.” Julian ran a hand over his chin, clearly disgusted with the archaic tradition of marriages actually being arranged like business deals in this world, having just been married himself. “I didn’t get married to connect two families together or some other bullshit. I simply loved Tatum. I protected her.”

“I still don’t understand why Papa has such a big hold over this guy. Isn’t he the capo of the entire Ricci family? Like, why does he need Elio Marchetti?” Alex asked Ricardo and quickly shot an apologetic look over at me.

“No, son, you are right,” I offered.

“He needs the clubs to launder his money. His men are all felons technically, and none of them can open a business without it being completely inspected by the Feds. Because of you guys and what you have built, you have given Elio the green light to go ahead and open enough clubs that help multiple families.” Ricardo looked over at me, amusement written on his face.

“The Ricci family provide us with the type of guns and other business deals we need, so we tolerate them… enough.” I laughed with Ricardo. The Ricci family had always held a very love-hate relationship with the Gambini family.

“What are you getting out of this deal, Ricardo?” Alex narrowed his eyes toward the man.

“Alex,” I scolded.

“No, no.” Ricardo reached out to me as if to quiet me. “Your boy is right. Elio has done me well over the years. Financially.”

“There has to be more to it,” Julian prodded.

Ricardo nodded. “Your father didn’t have to return when your mother passed away. He did this deal with the Ricci family for love. I am a monster, but I can admire when something is worth admiring.”

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