FRANCIS
When Francis entered the parlor, everyone else was ready and waiting. They were looking to Luca to explain why the meeting was called. Except for Tracy and Gianni, the family knew Luca to be the man in charge of the darker side of the family. But if he were a gambling man, Francis would bet that Natasha knew the truth as well.
Francis’ eyes landed on his donna. With no makeup and her long hair in braids, he could see exactly how beautiful she really was. Tracy’s natural beauty was actually making him long for a daughter that would resemble her.
“Would you like a drink?”
Francis turned from Tracy to the feminine voice. It was a woman he’d never seen before.
“No. Thank you,” he responded, turning to Luca.
Luca gestured with his head to meet in the hall. Once in the hall, Luca explained that the woman was Tammy’s long lost, junkie mother. Halfway through the long story, Francis interrupted.
“Get her out of here. We don't know her, and this is a family meeting.”
Luca simply nodded his compliance.
“Have one of the men take her to wherever she’s staying so that we can get started.”
“Si,” Luca acquiesced as he walked away.
Francis re-entered the parlor and walked over to the bar. The woman, Beverly, narrowed her eyes at him as he poured himself a whiskey. He knocked back his drink without a second thought about her offended glare. For some reason, Francis instantly didn't like the woman. Though most didn't realize it, Francis made it a point to watch the people around him. In the short time since he’d re-entered the room, the woman’s eyes went from him to Jack, from Jack to Gianni, from Gianni to Luca, then back to him. It was as if she was picking her meal from a menu. Her wandering eyes wouldn't have been so intolerable if they hadn't landed on Luca, her daughter’s fiancé. This was not a woman that could be trusted.
Lorenzo entered the room and walked over to Beverly. “Please come with me, donna.”
“What? Where am I going?” Beverly protested.
“It’s safe now. I’m taking you home.”
“Home? But—”
“This way please,” Lorenzo insisted.
Beverly’s eyes landed on Tammy as if waiting for her to intervene, but Tammy said nothing. What Francis saw on Tammy’s face was relief as Lorenzo hurried her from the room. The look that Gianni and Jack shared gave Francis the impression that they were pleased that she was gone as well. Francis didn't know what all he’d missed where Beverly was concerned, but it wasn't a priority for him.
“There was an issue of safety,” Luca began, getting the family’s attention. “But it’s been resolved.”
“What kind of issue?” Victoria asked.
Somehow, Francis knew that she would be the first to ask a question. Victoria was fearless, and she could be relentless with her curiosity. Tammy would never ask, and Tracy wouldn't ask in front of others. Natasha was like Francis. She did more listening and watching than talking.
“The kind that’s been dealt with, so we can prepare to leave for Paris, right after Tamara’s dreadful bachelorette party.”
Luca’s frown made the ladies giggle. His cousin was not pleased that Tammy was having a party that involved sweaty, naked men. And Francis didn't blame him. If they were to marry, Tracy wouldn't have been allowed to have such a party.
Damn! Was he really thinking about marriage?
If he were to be honest, marrying Tracy wasn't the worst idea. After all, they were having a baby. In Sicily, people married for much less. Business, family promises, and debts owed were just a few reasons.
“You can go back to business as usual.”
“Oh, byusualyou mean…we go to work, and big, mean Sicilians will follow from twenty feet behind?” Tracy quipped.
“Yes. Normal,” Luca confirmed with a smirk.
Tammy stood from the sofa and walked over to Luca. “Well I, for one, am ecstatic. I can't wait to marry you,” she said, wrapping her arms around Luca’s neck.
Luca eyes lit up as he pulled her close. Seeing love radiating from his cousin gave Francis peace. With his gruff exterior and playboy tendencies, Francis never thought that Luca would settle down with a wife. And he never thought that he’d turn out to be the type of father that he’d been to Tammy’s son, David.
