My brother sees me approaching and nods to Emilio to open my door. As Emilio turned around, I felt my cheeks get red, and I began to get goosebumps while he looked as calm as ever. I didn’t mind not seeing him since the shame of my actions stained me. Now face to face, I felt like I was wearing the scarlet letter.
“Bethany,” he smiled and winked at me as he opened the glass door.
He has always greeted me by saying my name but never winked. Emilio barely ever paid me attention. Walking past him, I avoid looking in his direction. I approach my brother, seated on a chair beside a sofa. Like all the offices here, the middle of his office had a conversation area with sofas and a coffee table in the center.
“Sit B,” Luca said.
As I did so, I could feel Emilio’s eyes on me even though he was behind me. It was completely distracting.
“How was New York?” I asked.
“Fire the developer I have for the project out in the Land Ends.”
Confused, “What? Why?”
Luca was creating an area within Chicago that was like its own city. It was expected to generate 90% of the city’s revenue. It was strategically placed in the first part of Chicago my brother owned when it was a dump. No one wanted to be in that area back then, but now it’s one of the city’s wealthiest areas.
“I’m signing on someone new,” Luca replied.
“Who? You already had the best developer on it.”
“Aria Cassariano.”
The name Cassariano caused my brain to malfunction for a moment. “You hired a Cassariano?”
“Soak it in, get upset, and then get over it.” Luca didn’t even seem phased.
“Get over it?!” I couldn’t help but raise my voice as I got to my feet. “They are responsible for Marco’s death, and you want me to get over it?!”
The name Cassariano was not welcomed in Chicago for several reasons. One is that they were responsible for Marco’s death. I never understood why Luca didn’t obliterate that entire family. Lorenzo Cassariano was the king of New York but didn’t stand a chance going against my brother. The Cassarianos have ties to the Baricelli Family, which was a sticky situation. Domenico Baricelli was head of the Family, succeeding his father, Vincenzo. Domenico gave the city of Chicago to Luca as a thank-you gift—as to what he was being thanked for, only select people knew, and two of them were in this room with me. Luca was loyal to Domenico, so when he was asked to put the whole ordeal behind him, he did.
“It’s an opportunity to get some insight on what’s going on in New York and what they have up their sleeve.”
“Are you fucking kidding me, Luca?!” I reply, speaking through my teeth. “Just a few weeks ago, you freaked out on me for going out with my boyfriend on the anniversary of Marco’s death, but you… you want a Cassariano in this city working under your roof, and I’m just supposed to be okay with it??”
“Once I know what they are up to, Aria will be out of here. But for now, we play nice.”
“Wait til Mother, Rita, and Isabella hear about this,” I pout.
“They will only hear about it if you tell them.”
“You don’t think they will find out on their own?” I was annoyed.
“Let them. By the time they do, I’m sure she’ll be gone.”
I was pretty sure Luca was lying, but who am I to argue with his plan? “Fine.”
“You’ll make sure she settles into the office. Try and get to know her. Be friends.”
“Right,” I shake my head in disbelief. “Is there a crash course on how to friend a rival into being your bestie?”
“This is a curveball for everyone,” Luca replied. “Just do your best. Tell Emilio immediately if anything sounds odd or there’s odd behavior.”
In the heat of the discussion, I forgot Emilio was in the room. Now, I stiffen at the sound of his name. I can barely make eye contact when he walks into sight and I feel like I’m on fire.
“Are you okay, B?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I reply to Luca.
