Marzio’s brother handing over the microphone to his nephew was emblematic. He was an older member, had a direct connection to Marzio, and was giving his blessing.
My eyes scanned the crowd for Lothario, who was standing with his own faction, watching with eyes that didn’t seem like they would miss a fly in the air.
Lothario stood tall, his shoulders back, chin up, but I wondered if his heart was thundering as loud as mine.
If he denied Luca this, blood would be spilled.
I didn’t think anyone would be watching me, since all attention seemed to be on the stage, but I felt it. When I turned my eyes from Lothario, they landed on a man standing close to him.
Our eyes met for a second before I turned forward.
Maybe that guy’s heart was thundering too. Whoever he was, he was with Lothario’s faction, and whatever was going to happen, he had to be feeling it on a deep level.
The old man’s speech was to the point, and when he introduced Luca and handed him the microphone, Luca set it back on the stand. The two men embraced, a hug and a kiss on each cheek.
The exchange seemed meaningful, and the old man left the stage, looking moved.
I felt eyes on me again. I turned in the direction Lothario was in and met the same stare from before. It was…hard, intense even. I couldn’t hold it, even though I gave him a small smile before breaking the connection, not even sure why.
I turned back just as Luca stepped up to the mic.
He made a joke about forgetting his notes, patting his suit like he was worried he wouldn’t remember his speech without it. The crowd ate it up, me included. He was more than charming. He was charismatic. I could feel myself being pulled closer and closer into his circle.
“Ah, well, notes are too formal for this occasion. I find that the truth is spoken from the heart, not the mind, where it has to be rehearsed.” He went on to thank everyone for attending, for all the generous contributions to all the charities, and he hoped the night’s festivities lived up to expectations. “This night would not have been possible without the help of my daughters. Scarlett Rose Fausti.”
Brando helped Scarlett up the steps to the stage, then Rosaria, Carmen, and Juliette followed with the help of their husbands. Luca had called them up in the order of his son’s births. They surrounded him in support.
“A round of applause for these women who not only shine on the outside, but on the inside as well. These are the daughters of my heart.” He applauded each one with the crowd, then called them forward separately to introduce the charity of their choice. Each women gave a short speech on why they were championing for that particular charity.
Romeo’s wife went last, and she finished her speech with, “Later on in the night, there will be auctions to raise even more funds, for those who are willing to dig a little deeper. Not only in your pockets, but in your hearts.”
There was another round of applause, Luca still giving them praise as his “daughters” were helped down from the stage, taking spots next to their proud husbands. Once the noise settled down some, he went on to say how important family was, and then dived deep into who the Faustis were.
His speech dug into the history of the family, and he told the crowd how they had lived and loved in Italy for generations, and how their hearts and blood were tangled in the soil, rooted like an ever-expanding tree.
“I would do anything for my family, for my country. I would even die to see my father’s wishes come true. This night is one for wishes to come true,” he finished with.
He gave the crowd a little time to absorb his powerful speech. Most of them were still under his spell, but I was looking around, trying to see past masks and into the truth, especially from Lothario’s faction.
I would even die to see my father’s wishes come true.
Did that mean it was going to be war if Lothario didn’t concede the throne?
Yes, I fucking thought it would be. Someone was going to shed blood—either Luca or Lothario—in this power struggle.
My breath got stuck in my throat when Luca called his brothers and his sons to stand around him. One man was apparently missing from the circle—Lothario.
In no uncertain terms, I was sure Lothario was sending Luca a big fuck you. He wasn’t giving up the throne, not without a fight.
Luca gave a subtle nod, but I really thought it was a war cry.
A roar of “Saluti!” came from the crowd, and the music started to play again.
Neil touched my arm. “What’s happening, Peps?”
I’d forgotten he and Milo were still standing around me. Rainer too.
“Lothario didn’t concede control,” I whispered. “He refused Luca by not shaking his hand. What happens from there…” I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
