Page 51 of Red Retaliation
“Can I ask why the wedding has not been previously announced?”
The young hack I initially had my eye on stands up, his dictaphone on record.
“Does it not go against the norm?” The man looks around at his fellow journalists. “I suspect I’m not alone in wanting to ask this question, but what with your reputation...”
I stiffen.Reputation?
“... and without wishing to put anyone in an awkward position,” the hack continues, “Mrs... erm... ‘Bateman’, as you apparently are now, am I correct in thinking that until just a few days ago, you were, in fact, MrsBristoni?”
A collective intake of breath, followed by an uncomfortable hush descends, and I rapidly realize, despite what I presumed, Arianna has not been paraded around the city under Galvatore or Bristoni colors. She’s been kept mainly under wraps. Or shehad, until now. But clearly... I peer closer at the young journalist, who being on the front row, I’m able to focus in on his name badge - Harry Taylor - knowsexactlywho she is.
“I’ve heard about the tragic ‘heart attack’ yourprevioushusband suffered,” Harry Taylor continues. “In fact, our own paper reported on the statement given by your... yourpreviousfather-in-law, as didallof these other good people here...”
As he waves his arm around the room, pausing for a reaction, I’m about to step in. I just need to ensure my response doesn’t come across as defensive or paranoid and...
“Then there’s the ‘small’ issue that statement also included that you,Mrs Brist... sorry, MrsBateman, were seeking solitude to recover from your husband’s tragic demise, yet here you are...” His eyes sparkle jubilantly. “Was the ‘secret location’ mentioned in the statement somewhere with Mr Bateman, by any chance?”
Murmurs rumble, and I glance at Arianna, who turns white as a sheet. My fists clench.I’ll kill this cunt, but first I’ll take the excellent opportunity to denounce the Bristonis.“The statement you refer to was incorrect, Mr... Taylor.”
Harry Taylor has the audacity to look unconvinced and raises his hand likehe’scommanding the room, the fucking jerk.
“I find it difficult to believe thatallof these papers could have got the statement ‘incorrect’, as you like to put it, Mr Bateman. Or are you suggesting Mr Bristoni didn’t know what he was saying?”
“Are you calling me aliar?” Arianna pulls my hand, reminding me that I’m losing it.Shit, I am. Control, control!
“A liar? Not at all, Mr Bateman.” Harry Taylor wears a shit-eating grin, pleased he’s got the upper hand.
Or so he thinks...
“All I’m saying is that your new wife has had a remarkably rapid recovery from her distress. And if my understanding is correct, and please correct me if I’m wrong,” the hack says, his voice contentious, bolstered by his captive audience, “...is this marriage not a trifle hasty? Mrs Bateman, was it not difficult to wed a member of, what I understand, a rival faction where London ‘businesses’ are concerned, a week after your first husband’s tragic death?”
I bristle further, but Arianna squeezes my hand tighter, forcing me to take a deep breath instead of automatically retaliating in a way that would not be helpful. Even though the question was put to Arianna by this jumped-up little shit,I’llanswer it. I promised her she wouldn’t have to speak, and I’ll honor that.
And I’ll do so calmly.
“Mr... Taylor...” My smile remains bright. “...Speculation is an unhealthy pastime...” I look around, seeing alert faces and poised notebooks. “...I’m sure if the Bristonis and Galvatores were here with us now, they would indeed confirm there’s no cause for bad feeling. If you knew anything at all, which you quite clearly don’t, Arianna and Roberto have been separated for some time...”
Another gasp sounds around the room, and my eyes gleam with triumph.Fuck you, Taylor, and fuck you, Bristoni!“Of course, it’s tragicthat Roberto sadly died. Arianna is most upset about it, but like I said, their marriage was over a long time ago and since their estrangement, she has been withme!”
Henry Taylor is flustered by my response, but the prat presses on regardless. He really doesn’t know when to leave it, does he?
“But surely you must agree this is sudden by anyone’s standards? Although I realize you’re not of the same culture as your new wife, Mr Bateman, I believe Italian families such as the Bristonis and Galvatores follow tradition, where marriages only occur between their own kind. Unless, of course, there are ‘extenuating circumstances’... such asshotgunweddings...?”
The emphasis on the word “shotgun” does not escape me, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.
I’m definitely killing this cunt. Carry on, Mr Taylor. Not only are you making it easy for me to expose Bristoni’s lies, but you’re also guaranteeing your own death.
“The tradition of Italian families that my wife and herfirsthusband were part of, like you feel the need to remind me of, utilize the protocol ofnotdiscussing personal matters, such as separation, outside of the family until a fit and acceptable time. Why Mr Bristoni didn’t take the opportunity to mention the separation during his statement so that our marriage would not appear so ‘sudden’ is something you should perhaps put tohim.”
I then laugh good-naturedly, whilst inside plotting Taylor’s demise. “I think you must read too many crime novels, Mr Taylor.” I enjoy the echoing of humor from the other journalists. “Sorry to disappoint you, but there’s no cloak and dagger stuff involved.” I pull Arianna into my arms, thankful she does not resist. “There’s also nothing ‘shotgun’ about our wedding either! Although...” I shoot a saucy wink to the crowd. “...perhaps within a year or two I hope I’ll be able to announce an impending addition to my family...”
Arianna dutifully rests her hand on my chest and looks up at me with a believable expression of loving her new husband.Good girl, you held it together, despite this prick.
Another journalist stands up. “Where are you going on your honeymoon?”
The young hack, deflated at his failure to rile me, sits down sulkily, the tension he tried to cause diffused. I covertly scan his face because I’ll need every detail when I go after him and rip him the fuck to pieces.Meanwhile, I’m grateful for the change of subject.
“Unfortunately...” I smile at the attractive brunette pointing her dictaphone in our direction, “...work commitments mean deferring our honeymoon until later...” I grin mischievously, jerking my head at Arianna, “...I’m taking her on a cruise to the Maldives later in the year.” I tap my nose. “But don’t tell her because it’s a surprise!”
