Page 72 of Christmas with the Mafia
“We had an agreement.”
There is an ominous tension that’s almost palpable, and a part of me dies inside. Here we go.
“What agreement?”
I fix him with an enigmatic response, and he leans forward. “My daughter. I was under the impression it would be your ring on her finger and not this stranger.”
“Regina.” I remind him and shake my head. “You are wrong, Vito, with respect. Your agreement was with my father, not with me.”
The man himself is watching with a blank expression, offering no insight into what his thoughts are right now.
Vito says angrily, “You disrespect me and my daughter, and I want you to give up this woman and do your duty.”
“My duty?” I shrug. “My duty is to my family, yes that is true. It’s to my job as CEO of Viper Holdings. That is my duty too. My duty, however, is not to your organization, Vito. I have my hands full with this one, and I apologize if you thought otherwise.”
Vito makes to speak, his anger evident, and my father’s voice cuts through the atmosphere like a machete.
“Vito.” His husky drawl commands attention, and I’m on edge wondering which way the blade will fall. It could go either way, and I am prepared for the fight.
“You are my oldest friend, and almost a brother to me.” Vito nods, a triumphant gleam in his eye already revealing he expects to get his way.
“But Nico is my son. My heir, well, one of them anyway.”
I detect my brother’s interest because, like me, they are probably wondering how this will end.
My father leans forward and fixes him with a thoughtful gaze.
“While Viper Holdings has grown considerably over the years, Vitoben has not.”
The air is sucked out of the room as my father fixes Vito with a blank glare.
“You have one child, no son or heir to hand the business to, so you are relying on longevity by merging with Viper Holdings because Desiree would bankrupt your business within weeks, and you know it.”
Vito nods, regret heavy in his expression.
I am aware that Vito had a problem in conceiving children, despite the number of women he went through in an attempt at securing a dynasty, and yet Desiree was the only result of that. Rumor has it his wife at the time was having an affair with one of the guards, which would also explain why Desiree looks nothing like her father. It’s an impossible situation, and the only hope he has is of merging with our family to continue his empire in the long term.
My father turns to me, and I’m worried about the thoughtful gleam in his eye.
“What do you say, Nico, would you be willing to help out your uncle Vito and push aside your infatuation with this woman for the good of family relations?”
I don’t hesitate.
“No, I would not.”
I swear nobody breathes in the room as Vito’s sharp intake of breath could cut the tension building. Despite his lack of heirs, Vito runs a business that is not to be overlooked. He has many contacts and affluent businesses, and if we don’t merge, somebody else could swoop in and takeit all. It’s a cutthroat world we inhabit, more than most, and he will be relying on our protection, with his company the reward.
I add, “I have grown this business exponentially over the years. It is financially stable and one of the most successful in private hands. I have nothing to prove and nothing I owe. This is your agreement, but I am my own man and will not be dictated to about my personal life.”
I lean forward, fixing the two men with a hard glare, wondering if this will indeed work out in my favor. Bringing Regina here was always a fifty-fifty shot because no matter how much I fight this, if my father decides it’s happening, there is little I can do about that.
“There is another way outside of marriage.”
I have Vito’s attention as he puffs on his cigar.
“We merge as a business only, making certain you and Desiree are catered for. She will be wealthy and free to pursue her interests without sacrificing her freedom. It’s what I do. I take businesses and merge them with ours, paying a good price for them while strengthening our position. You will be free to enjoy your retirement knowing your business is in safe hands and your daughter has our protection.”
My brothers are silent; this is not their fight, and yet my father decides to involve them with his next question.
