Page 1 of To Have and To Hold

Chapter

One

Isabella

Istared straight ahead, seeing the reflection of my family as the elevator whisked us up to the capo dei capi’s apartment in the Kansas City skyline. This was a formal event. My father and little brother were both wearing suits, and my sister, Noemi, Mom, and I were all wearing dresses. Nothing but the best for the kingpin of the Kansas City Famiglia.

Biting my lip, I felt my stomach twist with nerves. Tension rippled through the air even thicker than it had in the SUV on the way to this first-birthday celebration—a momentous milestone for the capo’s daughter.

As our family drove across town, Papà reminded us of his rules—no socializing with members of the Roríguez cartel. It wasn’t the first time we’d heard his lecture. If I recalled correctly, the first time was before Mom, Noemi, and I flew to California for Catalina’s wedding shower. Papà’s bodyguards were present for our protection and to spy on our interactions.

The world of the famiglia had been turned upside down since that trip. The aftermath was easily traced to my cousin Dario marrying Catalina, the daughter of one of the Roríguez cartel’s top lieutenants. Then my uncle died, making Dario the top of the Luciano famiglia, much to my father’s and my uncle Salvatore’s mortification. That wasn’t all. Next, Dario forced his sister, Mia, to marry into the cartel. Her husband’s father recently passed away, making Aléjandro the drug lord, the top of the cartel. Dario’s last sibling, Dante, willingly married Catalina’s younger sister, Camila, another member of the cartel.

The latest marriage came as a relief. I didn’t know until later, but Dario spoke to my father about me marrying Reinaldo Roríguez, now second-in-command in the cartel. My savior was the last person I would have expected—Dario’s stray, Jasmine. She was another person Father warned us about speaking to.

Sometimes I thought it might be helpful to carry a list.

Papà’s deep voice cut through the waves of tension. “Remember what you were told. We will leave as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Papà,” my siblings and I answered in unison.

I looked down, seeing my little brother. Anthony was small for a nine-year-old. All three of us siblings shared the same coloring, blond hair and light brown eyes. I was the oldest. Noemi was next at fifteen years old. My father finally got his boy with Anthony.

At the sound of our father’s reminder, my brother reached for my hand.

Smiling down at him, I gave it a squeeze. Papà wouldn’t approve of Anthony needing reassurance. He was to be a man after all. If I was asked, I’d say it was our father’s fault that the three of us and even Mom were battling nerves.

Trips to Dario and Catalina’s home never ended well. Someone would say or do something to set Father off. Usually, it was the capo himself. We all knew that if it wasn’t for our father’s devotion to the famiglia, he’d turn down the invitation.

I sucked in a breath as the elevator doors opened to the large open foyer. The sounds of voices and the melody of music replaced the earlier silence.

“Mr. Luciano,” one of Dario’s guards said with a nod. “Mrs. Luciano,” he greeted Mom, and then turned toward the room. That was the way it was when you’re young in this family. You were invisible.

My father was the third son of our grandfather, Anthony Luciano. Vincent, Dario’s father, was the first son. Vincent’s mother had difficulty having more children. From what I’ve been told, after her death, Anthony remarried, wedding our grandmother Gia.

The different wives accounted for the age difference between Uncle Vincent, Uncle Salvatore, and my father, Carmine Luciano. That was also why Uncle Salvatore’s and my father’s children were much younger than Uncle Vincent and Aunt Arianna’s. Papà was sixteen and a made man when his nephew, Dario, was born. It’s understandable why he and Uncle Salvatore didn’t appreciate taking orders from Dario.

Papà turned, inspecting his family. “Isabella, let go of your brother’s hand,” he growled in a hushed whisper. His dark eyes narrowed at Anthony. “You are a man.”

“Yes, Papà,” my brother said.

“We must greet the capo,” Papà said, turning his attention to the living room filled with people. His neck straightened and his shoulders stiffened at the sight of members of Catalina’s family and the Roríguez cartel. “Anthony, come with me to the capo’s office.”

“Carmine,” Mom said softly, “he’s only nine. Perhaps he should stay with us.”

Ignoring Mom’s concern, Papà laid his large hand on Anthony’s back and directed him toward Dario’s office doors.

Noemi hugged Mom’s arm. “Tony will be fine.” My sister scanned the crowd and whispered, “Where is Aunt Giulia or Aunt Arianna?”

Jasmine’s flaming red hair caught my attention. I rolled my eyes. “Jasmine is back.”

“You know how your father feels,” Mom warned. Her eyes opened wide. “There’s Arianna with Catalina. We can greet the hostess and then stay near your aunt.”

Mom led us through the crowd. Ariadna Gia, the birthday girl, was sitting on Aunt Arianna’s lap. “Catalina,” Mom said with a feigned smile. “It was nice to be invited to the celebration.” She gazed down at the one-year-old dressed in layers and layers of lace. “Goodness, time flies. Ariadna Gia is growing so fast.”

Catalina stood.

Despite Papà’s disapproval of anyone from the cartel, since the first time we met, I’d liked Catalina. As time passed, I admired her ability to stay strong while surrounded by so many who didn’t approve of her as Dario’s wife.

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