1
Natalia
Idiots.
I knew I could slip past them easily enough. That was part of the goal. Did I want to go to the Bonifacio’s? No, I didn’t. I don’t think any of us did. I was sure that my father had let Romeo know about the meeting ahead of time. Little did he know, I was going to get my revenge — and in a small way, I already had.
The goon that I’d bought the information off of was standing around, peering at my father as though he knew the truth already. He was stupid, but it was worth it. Finding out what was going on in the family was something I was never privy to. So, why not buy someone’s secrets? It made sense. My father did it all the time.
We’d already made it to the house, and I already wanted to leave. My father was making a show of the house, pointing out all of the fine details of the mansion, as though it was important. He wasn’t looking at the right things.
You had to look closer to find just what kind of wealth they had.
I was definitely curious to find out. I saw their grunt standing next to the door. Everyone was too preoccupied listening to my father and getting out of the vehicle to notice the grunts on either side. Our own guards were in the vehicle, all locked and ready, in case the shit hit the fan. Knowing my father, I wouldn’t doubt if he’d set them on the Bonifacios the moment they said something he didn’t like. He was far too reactive for a man in power. I often wondered if it was his erratic behavior that kept everyone in line.
I waited outside the SUV alongside Savio, who was busy checking his reflection in the tinted car window. He ran his hand through his hair, allowing it to rest lightly on his forehead. He had the same features as our mother. The only picture we were given as kids has always been burned in my mind — the dark hair, the light eyes. Most of my brothers had those same dark features. I wished I could have her eyes, but I was only given that same Cavetti dark hair. My tan was prominent next to his, the olive undertone of my skin a stark contrast.
I didn’t bother checking my reflection. I’d already made sure that I looked the part, not that my father would have noticed. I doubt he’d even checked to see if I was there. Not that his eyes were averted for long. He was just too busy. It didn’t stop him from being my own personal dictator, always making sure that I wasn’t out doing anything I wasn’t supposed to. My brothers were given free reign of their lives, so long as they did as he said during work hours.
I was given even less than that. Total disregard, so long as I stayed in view. I had to remain close, as I’d be the one he could use as leverage. It was like a sick game of chess — but if I could marry a Bonifacio, like my brother, it might just work.
I could finally get the freedom I was desperate for.
There were two Bonifacio’s that I knew of and they were both of interest to me. I couldn’t help but feel my stomach rising as my father finally headed toward the entrance. Savio was the first to start toward the stairs, and Romeo was peering around to Marcello, who was busy sighing. I, on the other hand, was enamored with the thought of meeting one of the young men. I’d heard so much and I did not doubt that I’d be able to get under his skin. Usually, it only took one look from a man to have him wrapped around my finger. I knew what assets I had and I used them to get my way.
“Come on,” Romeo hissed, glaring at me. “He wants us all to show up together.”
His tone pissed me off, but I tried to force it back. There was no point in giving him a dirty look back. That would only end in a fight, and I always lost. My father picked favorites. Of course, Romeo, being the eldest, would be the favorite among us. He was also a man, which made him my father’s golden child. He hit the jackpot in our genetic pool, all because of timing. I, on the other hand, was the one that killed my mother by existing.
I was silent as I hurried my way up the steps towards them. My father was standing in front of the door, a sick smile on his face. I could tell that the gears were grinding in his head and that he was considering ways that he could use this meeting to his leverage. It was surprising enough that they’d accepted his offer — now he was ready to milk it until it was dry. I hated him for it.
He knocked on the door hard and stood back. Their silhouettes were visible through the window embedded in the door, and I could see Lucia making her way down the stairs.
What the hell, though.
Where were the Bonifacio brothers? I’d been told that there were two Bonifacio brothers, both of whom were decently attractive. I hadn’t been told much about their personalities, but I’d had cemented it in my mind that I would get under the skin of at least one of them. And they were nowhere to be seen.
I sighed as my father stepped forward and opened the door. The chandelier above gave off a warm light as the door opened and the Bonifacio family greeted us. The twins were there, and Lucia had finally taken her place next to her father. I had to contain my grin when I saw that their mother was off her rocker. She was swaying slightly from side to side, her eyes barely able to stay open. I wasn’t sure what she was on, but I was wishing I’d taken the same dose.
They exchanged pleasantries and I grimaced as my father tried to be as sweet as possible. It didn’t suit him. I hated it when he was being fake.
I glanced at my brothers, who were already making short work of the Bonifacio twins. Great. So, it’s just me. Alone in my own silence. I went to grab a glass of wine, watching as the hors d’oeuvres were being brought out on platters. It seemed overindulgent for a small get together, but I didn’t doubt that the Bonifacio’s wanted to make a show of it.
My father was doing the exact same thing.
* * *
It wasn’tuntil later in the evening that I saw him enter through the front door. I was making my way through the house, giving myself a tour, when the two brothers entered. The twins had already gone to bed, but they had barely said a word all night. The only one that had spoken had been talked up by Savio. He had that effect on women, whereas Marcello had the opposite — he was cold and brooding compared to Savio. I liked to think of Savio as the Casanova of our family. In all regards, it should have been Romeo since he had the name and the looks and the power over our father, but he was too psychotic for any of that.
And now he had a target in the form of Lucia.
The other brother was all right, but it was the tall one that caught my attention. He wasn’t as tall as Marcello, but he was still formidable. And goddamn - he was handsome. My brothers were usually considered the attractive ones in the Chicago criminal underworld, and there was some truth to those rumors. But why hadn’t I heard anything about this Bonifacio brother? He was, for lack of a better word, gorgeous.
I stood straight and adjusted my hair as they entered, letting my eyes wander all over his body. He could tell I was watching him, and I was fine with that. Some men were intimidated by the fact that I was so brash. I didn’t play games. I let men know immediately when I was interested, and this was no exception. He was worth the wait.
I stopped towards the edge of the parlor, watching as my father greeted the two brothers, his face red from alcohol. Even though he was drinking, I knew my father would still be tactical. He never let his guard down in front of strangers. He might have been acting the part of a belligerent drunk, but I knew he could change that in an instant.
I forced my attention away, bringing it back to the brother. His dark hair fell in front of his ears, framing his face in soft waves. He had those light eyes that I was always attracted to and brought them to mine with a smirk on his lips. It was enticing, and he knew it.
