Don Vicini is the head of New York and the East Coast. My father rules Chicago and its subordinate cities just as De Luca rules Las Vegas and the West, but both ultimately answer to New York when there is peace in the Trio. Our association was formed by the three most powerful mafia families out of Italy who banded together to face their common foes many years ago. Even with the changing times and occasional civil war, we persist and hold to our old ways, just as the three-headed wolf has become our symbol, known and feared throughout the criminal underworld.
“What concessions? I killed his heir. Are you going to turn yours over to them, Father?”
“No. I’ll be turning over my daughter to be a bride instead.”
His daughter to be a bride? All the oxygen leaves the room. I’m completely stunned. “Caterina is not of age,” Nico growls with none of his customary coolness.
“She is old enough to be betrothed. Two years and she will marry.”
Two years? Married? I’m still in high school. I always knew my father would choose who I’d marry someday but why so soon? What about what I want? Doesn’t that matter at all?
“They will want blood,” Nico warns.
“Your sister’s virgin blood will suffice for the sake of symbolism.”
I nearly collapse at the thought as Dante starts shouting, “Symbolism?! You cannot do this!”
“As head of this family, I can and I will.” His hand rests on the butt of his gun. That’s why he’s armed, to quell any hot-headed responses from his sons. Meanwhile, I’m swaying where I standas my brothers yell. He’s completely unmoved by their outrage or my utter desolation. “This is merely a change of cast. I had already agreed to a marriage pact between Caterina and Silvio, Jr. to ensure peace.”
“You what?!”Dante roars, looking ready to attack. Nico barely manages to restrain him - it’s death to raise a hand to one’s Capo, blood or not. As my brothers continue to argue, I’m silent, grieving internally over this betrayal by my father. I know daughters are not considered as important, that we’re only seen as something useful to barter away in marriages that might strengthen the Trio. I’ve been bartered away at sixteen to a man who tortures and kills women for his amusement and am barely informed of the fact.
But, if Silvio, Jr. is dead…
“Father?” My voice sounds small but the way Nico flinches from it makes me ask my question loud and clear. I am a Morelli, the Capo’s daughter and the future Capo’s sister. I will not cry or tremble. “Who am I to marry?”
My father glances my way at last without a flicker of guilt. “Don Vicini believes, if I offer you to De Luca’s second son, Alessio, as recompense, he’ll still accept peace terms to end the war. You will be the wife of a Capo someday, Caterina, an even better match than I could make for you in my own territory, and your compliance will save lives.”
He burdens me with the lives of others in order to secure my obedience - it is all he values in me - and makes it sound like a great honor.
“Alessio De Luca,” I repeat, testing the name on my tongue. I’ve never met him. He has always remained in Las Vegas, the seat of their family’s power when his father or older brother traveled to Chicago.
But, I have heard of him.
If half the stories are true, normal society would never dare speak his name aloud, only whispered rumors would be shared like an urban horror story.
Our men call him Reaper.
He became a Made Man at twelve, almost unheard of in the Trio. He’s been his father’s Enforcer since turning sixteen, an honor and a curse never before bestowed on one so young. He’s twenty-one now, five years older than me, and has spent years exacting revenge on traitors and punishing debtors with inventive cruelty and sadistic relish. With his brother’s death, he’s the future Capo of Las Vegas.
And my brother has killed his own. Recompense my father has named it. I’m to be the recompense for what Nico has done.
Glancing down at my bloody nightgown, I shiver with fear. I never imagined one of the brothers who loves me best in this cruel world would be responsible for my early demise. Alessio De Luca will be sure to make my life a living hell… until he chooses to end it.
2
Caterina
Two weeks later, I’m riding in the back of a limousine to O’Hare Airport with Nico. I’ve never traveled anywhere outside of our territory, barely ever left Chicago. But, due to all the concessions being made to keep the new peace, the traditional betrothal dinner will take place in Las Vegas, a change from the custom of meeting for the first time under the bride’s roof.
Mother and Father are riding separately. Mother’s beside herself with joy knowing I will marry a future Capo as she once did. I wonder if she’s ever considered Alessio’s reputation or how the De Lucas might feel about us after what Nico did.
Father has barely acknowledged my existence since informing me of my fate beyond asking my mother if there’s not something that might be done about my hair. The spiky bangs are terrible, standing straight up and barely an inch in length. Mother said time will correct my childish impulse that served no purpose. No doubt, she meant it as an additional warning to behave myself on this trip.
My ancient bodyguard Manfredi fell asleep across from us in the limo after my brother wrapped his jacket around me. He’d been staring at the horribly revealing dress Mother made me wear today. Nico watches the old man sleep, like a predator pondering his next meal, until a speed bump catches me off guard and I gasp. My stomach is swimming with nerves, but I feel the light touch of my brother’s fingers brushing mine. “You are a Morelli, and you are stronger than you know, Caterina,” he murmurs. “Show them no fear.”
“I don’t feel very strong today. I wish you were coming with me.”
“We both know me setting foot inside their home so soon after I killed Sil, Jr. would be in very poor taste. Mother would be so embarrassed.”
