Page 65 of Christmas with the Mafia
NICO
When the women leave,they suck all the joy out of the room as my father hands us all a cigar and waits until they are lit before he speaks. With one hand on the cigar and the other cradling a glass of bourbon, and as the fire crackles in the grate, he says with a dark undertone, “The Spinellis are becoming a problem on the East side.”
He turns to Simeon. “What can you tell me?”
Simeon leans forward, his face an inscrutable mask of no emotion.
“They attempted to muscle in on the protection aspect of the business on the East Side. They kidnapped Sonny Stevens’ daughter and held her to ransom until he agreed to set up a contract with them. Word spread, and other businesses followed, and now they’re paying two forms of protection, meaning they will go out of business shortly in the new year.”
“And your solution to this problem?”
My father’s voice is low, but his tone is ominous.
“On Christmas Eve, the Spinellis sail theirmotorboat from Long Beach to Catalina, where they hosta party for their business associates and their families. This year will be a blast, so I’m told.”
My father nods, a thoughtful gleam in his eye as illuminated by the lit end of the cigar.
He turns to Julius. “What about the Colombian program?”
“On schedule to hit on January fifteenth. It’s all agreed, and Diego is finalizing the details now.”
“Any surprises expected?”
Julius shrugs. “You know, Diego, I’d be surprised if they weren’t.”
My father nods, exhaling smoke rings toward the painted ceiling.
“Joseph.”
My younger brother shifts as the focus is now on him.
“Business is good in London?”
“Of course. We are on track to exceed our goals and have opened an office in the Canary Wharf financial district.”
Finally, he turns to me and sighs heavily. “Nico, you are a loose cannon, and yet I cannot fault your contribution. Twenty-five million dollars in one night is impressive even by your standards.”
“Thank you.” I accept the praise while anticipating the takedown, and I’m not wrong as he says wearily, “Regina. Does she know about the business?”
“No.”
His frown burns into me, and he shakes his head. “When she discovers the nature of it, you will have a problem.She is not of our world, which is why I am against your marriage.”
“Leave Regina to me. She will accept this life and adapt to it.”
He raises his eyes. “She is stronger than I first thought; I’ll give you that, but remember who is coming to stay tomorrow.”
My skin prickles with disgust at the thought of Desiree Bendetti anywhere near Regina, and my father hisses, “It will be a test. Whoever wins will be your bride. If Regina decides it’s not for her, you marry Desiree, and that is final.”
I catch my brother Julius’s eye, and if anything, he appears sympathetic. Probably because this conversation will involve him next time, and it’s up to me to break the cycle for their sakes as much as mine.
Regina is strong and will be more than a match for Desiree.
My inner voice reminds me of the urgency as I vow that I will do my best to ensure that Regina doesn’t fail. The stakes are high—too high, and failure is definitely not an option.
When the women head back into the room, I breathe a little easier. The cigars have been clipped, and the bourbon drained, and as the maids deliver coffee and Amaretti, Regina sits beside me and rests her head on my shoulder.
“I missed you.” She whispers, and I’m surprised to discover that I feel the same. I’m not even sure what’shappening to me, and as we are served our coffee, I struggle to place her where she belongs. Regina is a tool in my weaponry and nothing else. She will deliver on our agreement, but that is all. She’ll become my wife to set me free, which is all this is, and I must not lose sight of that for both our sakes.
