Page 81 of Christmas with the Mafia
Regina gasps as she unwraps a beautiful fur jacket, andher mouth drops as she says to Mom, “Thank you so much. This is beautiful but way too much. I am overwhelmed.”
“You deserve it.” Mom’s smile is warm as she holds up the Hermes scarf, supposedly from us as a couple, and says thankfully, “I love this. You are both very kind.”
Desiree’s gaze could cut the turkey as she throws imaginary daggers at Regina and as she unwraps the expensive perfume from us, she flings it to the floor and says dismissively, “I’ve already got three of these but thanks anyway, I’ll donate it.”
Vito pretends not to notice the disrespectful comment and booms, “You have outdone yourself, Sophia. You always were the greatest hostess.”
“Thank you, Vito.”
Mom smiles, but I can tell she isn’t enamored of our guest and never has been. Vito Bendetti came from the streets of Sicily and clawed his way into a rival family. The Morales mafia was a small operation, but when Vito married Desiree’s mother, it gave him the opportunity to take over. He was responsible for building it up and moving it to New York when he was driven out by the bigger families in Sicily. He was always a firm friend of my father’s anyway, and it made sense to align himself with the Raveras in the United States. Two is better than one, and they built their empires uniting two black souls. Where my fathers grew exponentially, Vito’s did not, and now he is here out of loyalty rather than equality.
Once the gifts are unwrapped, Mom smiles at the women in the room.
“Let’s leave the men to talk. I have a more lighthearted way for us to spend time before dinner.”
Regina’s smile is brilliant, but her fingers clasp mine firmly, and I whisper, “You will be fine. Mom loves you.”
She says nothing and merely follows the women from the room, and as the door closes behind them, I’m surprised how empty the space is beside me now.
“Nico.”
My father’s voice is gruff, and I swing my gaze to him, my heart dropping at the determination in his expression.
“You will propose to Desiree at dinner.”
The air stills as his eyes flash, daring me to disobey him.
“For what reason?”
My tone is measured, calm, betraying the swirl of emotion building inside me.
“For Desiree to believe that her plan is working.”
“What plan?”
I need facts, and Julius adds, “She is in contact with Flavio Rossi. They spoke only this morning.”
Joseph speaks up. “We bugged her room, and overheard her telling him that the plan was changing. The engagement was under threat, so they must revert to Plan B.”
“Which is?”
“She didn’t say.” Joseph shrugs. “However, if she believes the original plan is working, it buys us time to discover what Plan B is.”
“So you want me to humiliate Regina.”
My tone is sinister because the fuck I’m doing that, and Simeon snaps, “You should never have brought her here in the first place.”
I make to stand, to teach him the perils of calling me out on anything, and as he half rises to meet me, my father growls, “Enough. I will speak with Regina. The engagementto Desiree must be announced, and that is a direct order.”
Vito’s smug expression causes my trigger finger to itch because as long as he keeps my father on side, he will agree to anything. All he wants is a family tie between our families, and he will be loving this latest turn of events.
I am now caught in a web I can’t escape from. Family is everything to a Ravera, and Regina is not blood. She is disposable. I understand how it works, and yet the idea that she will be hurt, humiliated and surplus to requirements causes me more pain than I imagined.
My mind races as the conversation turns to Joseph’s acquisitions in London, and Julius leans over and whispers, “Go along with it for now. It won’t involve a wedding. I can promise you that.”
If that’s the only thing bothering me, I would count myself lucky, but I’m shocked to discover that Regina’s welfare is my main concern. I can’t do this to her. Iwon’tdo this to her, but I have no choice. This is bigger than both of us, and if only I could speak to her first, this could work out.
Simeon surprises me by heading my way and nodding toward the bar in the corner of the room.
