Page 5 of The Don

“I agree,” Ruben says from beside me. I turn to look at him and smile when I see his hard, dark eyes glued to mine. A chill runs over my arms, but I turn and silently follow Dominic and Rose out to where a table is beautifully set. “Maria has prepared a delicious meal for us.” I awkwardly wait to be told where to sit. Dominic pulls out a chair for Rose and she takes her spot beside him. “Eliza.” Ruben does the same thing for me, seating me adjacent to him, opposite my sister and Dominic.

“Thank you,” I say as I sit and he pushes my chair in. He takes his seat and I wring my hands together in my lap. With lowered eyes, I try to act normal as Dominic and Ruben make small talk.

“Are you looking forward to the wedding, Rose?” Ruben asks.

“I don’t know why we have to get married in a church,” she candidly replies. I can’t help but smile when Dominic and Ruben both chuckle. If I dared say anything like that to him, he would’ve backhanded me.

“In our family, tradition is important,” Ruben replies.

“Yeah, I know,” Rose acknowledges. “However, I’d be happy to go to a justice of the peace too.” My little sister has so much courage to speak her mind. I could never do that.

“No,” Dominic says with finality.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. It’s just not important to me.” Rose flicks her hand dismissively.

“What do you think, Eliza? Is getting married in the church important?” Ruben asks.

I raise my chin to look at him and slowly lift my shoulders. “Rose and I aren’t really religious, so it wouldn’t matter to me either. But I know how important it is to—” I clear my throat. “—the family.”

Ruben is staring as if he’s looking through to my very core. I avert my eyes and lower my chin again. Is he angry? Have I overstepped my place? Should I have agreed with whatever Dominic and Ruben said? Should I apologize for my contempt? “I respect that answer,” Ruben replies. A relieved breath escapes from me. I’m not in trouble. “I’m sorry, Rose. There’s no other option for our family than to marry in the church.”

Rose barks out a carefree laugh. “You respect us not wanting a church wedding, but too bad, so sad?”

“Yes, exactly,” Ruben replies with ease. “How are the wedding preparations coming along? Have you picked your dress and do you have everything you want?” A gentle burst of cool air circles the table and causes my skin to break out in goose bumps. I shiver from the cold and instantly regret the sundress I’ve worn. Ruben stands, shrugs out of his suit jacket and drapes it around my shoulders before sitting again.

I look over to Rose, who smiles, before I turn to glance at Ruben who’s waiting for Rose’s response. Does he realize what he’s done? “Everything is coming along well, but Dominic refuses to pick a cake flavor.”

“I told her she can have whatever she wants.”

I feel like I’m in an alternate universe. Ruben, Dominic, and Rose speak to one another with respect and dignity, and no one is attempting to project their power. What is going on? How are they so...normal?

“And I told him I want his input on the flavor.”

“I’m a fan of plain old vanilla,” Ruben says. My head snaps to the side as I stare at him. “What is it, Amorina? You don’t like vanilla?”

Vanilla is not what I thought Ruben would prefer. I hold in the smile and shake my head attempting to dislodge the inappropriate thoughts. “I apologize; I’m sorry.” I hang my head, ashamed and embarrassed.

“I always thought you’d be more of a decadent caramel kind of guy,” Rose says.

A tiny giggle escapes from me, and I lift my hand to cup it over my mouth. “Sorry,” I repeat without meeting Ruben’s eyes.

“Sir.” An unfamiliar male voice jolts me, and I suck in a breath and sit on my hands.

“Are there problems, Dante?” Ruben’s voice shifts toward hardness.

Dante moves to stand beside me, and out of the corner of my eye, I see a black German shepherd beside him. I whip my head around to see the most magnificent dog. “Oh my,” I say as I bring both my hands to my mouth and stare at the beautiful animal. I look up to Dante, then over to Ruben. “May I?” I want to reach out and pet the dog’s shiny coat.

Ruben gives Dante a nod. “Gratuito,” Dante presents the dog with a command which relaxes him.

I push up, sling Ruben’s jacket over the back of the chair and sink to my knees to pet the dog. “What’s its name?” I ask as I gently run my hand down the back of the dog.

“His name is Storm,” Ruben replies.

“You’re so beautiful, Storm.” I could stay here for the entire lunch just petting him. Storm looks at me and pants, then turns onto his back so I can scratch his belly. I laugh a little when his back legs flop open.

“He likes you,” Dante says.

“What did you say to him?” I ask Dante as I continue petting Storm but look up to Dante.

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