Page 99 of Vicious Seduction

At one point, I sat with Nana and Paddy Byrne while Oran was off talking. I’d learned that Paddy didn’t say much. He smiled a lot and enjoyed being around everyone, but Nana ran the show, and he seemed content with that.

“I’m glad you came over because we’ll need to head home soon,” Nana said. “Paddy doesn’t like to be out late.”

I peered over to the man tapping his foot to the music and grinning as he watched people dance. Someone may not like to be out late, but I wasn’t sure it was Paddy. He looked like he’d go along with just about anything.

“I’m not one for late nights myself, anymore,” I agreed. “And I’m sure things will wind down soon.”

“Indeed. You did a marvelous job, lass. It was a beautiful wedding.”

“Thanks, but Oran did a lot of the planning. He’s pretty incredible.”

“Aye, he is.” She beamed at where he stood not far away. “It’s going to be interesting to see the family under his leadership—he and Keir and Conner, and even Torin. They seem to have settled into their roles nicely. This new generation looks at things differently—instead of outsiders, they see allies. I hope it continues to pay off for them.”

“Outsiders?”

She discreetly angled her head toward the cake table. “The one there with the tattoos all up his neck. That’s Renzo Donati. Italian.” She said it as though it explained everything.

“Isn’t he Noemi’s uncle?” That was how he’d been introduced to me. I hadn’t thought any more of it.

“Aye, but that’s not all he is. He’s the new head of the Moretti family—that’s not something you want to forget.”

“Oran said he helped bring down Lawrence Wellington.”

“Very likely. Wellington was in shipping. The Morettis run the unions, including the dock workers. That makes them incredibly powerful. What happens if they notice the champagne on that table was imported illegally without their consent?”

I wasn’t sure if her question was rhetorical, but I couldn’t answer it either way. I had no clue what would happen.

“And you see that young man chatting up your sister?” Nana added.

I jerked upright and scanned the room for Amelie.

“That’s Sante Mancini.”

I relaxed a smidge when I spotted Mellie and the guy she was talking to. “He’s Noemi’s little brother.”

“No, Lina.” Nana took my hand in hers and leveled me with a hardened stare. “As Oran’s wife, you can’t afford to see things in such simple terms. You have to hear what isn’t said and see what is hidden away. That young man has been Renzo’s ward for the past year. He’s been troubled ever since he learned that his father killed his mother. I don’t believetime with Renzo is helping, and if I’m not wrong, he’s been spiking your sister’s punch for the last hour.”

“What?” I gasped, my head spinning back toward the two young people.

Nana tugged at my hands to draw my attention back to her. “I won’t be here forever, you know. Someone has to step up and keep this family running strong.”

“Me? You … think that person’s me?” I gaped at her, still half focused on Amelie across the room.

“You’re a tough one, lass. You have what it takes.”

“You can’t possibly know that.”

“Oran told me what you did for your sister. That was confirmation enough for me. Everyone in this family is loyal, but not everyone can bring themselves to self-sacrifice when the time comes. It takes a special breed of person—a mental toughness and an aptitude for strategy—to help guide a family like ours. And who knows, with the quality of you young ladies entering our ranks lately, maybe you do the job together. Sometimes change is best. But know that the role will need to be filled, and I stand firm that the female mind is better equipped for such things.” She gave a stern nod as though the matter was settled.

I couldn’t necessarily argue with her on the final point, but I still wasn’t sure looking to me to fill her shoes was the right plan. She had granddaughters who seemed plenty capable. Wasn’t Mafia mentality all about keeping it in the family?

“I wouldn’t even know where to begin.”

“You pay attention,” she offered simply.

“I don’t know—”

“There’s still time. I’m not quite on my last leg.” She winked, leaning in conspiratorially. “You’ll learn. Now, go rescue that sister of yours before he gets her alone in the dark.”

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