“So, how’d you get tangled up in all this?” I ask.
He shrugs, gaze drifting. “Got into some trouble as a kid. Luciano found me in juvie and offered me to come be part of his family.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Did you know he was Cosa Nostra back then?”
“Yeah, everyone knew Luciano was Caterina’s right-hand.”
I hesitate, then ask, “Were they… close?”
“He grew up with her since he was a teenager. Over twenty years by her side he served,” he says, shrugging like it’s just another fact.
“Out of curiosity, how old is everyone?”
“Stefano and Luciano are thirty-six, Stefano is four months older though. Carlo is twenty-nine. I’m twenty-six and Gabriele is twenty-five,” he says. Huh, that surprises me. I thought they were a bit older, especially Stefano.
Mattia pulls me closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “You know, you’re just like Caterina.”
“How so?”
“You’re both feisty and know how to stand your ground, both smoking hot—” I whack him on the shoulder. “Joking. You’re determined like her. You know, she was around your age when she started taking over?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah, rumor is she disappeared for nearly five years and came back one day and just started calling the shots.”
“And my grandfather just let her?” I ask.
“Yep. It’s not written in the journals, but Luciano said he was dying. Only had a couple years left to live.”
“So that’s why my mother had to come back. My grandfather only gave her five years because he knew he wouldn’t survive much longer after that.”
It’s all starting to make sense now. But if my grandfather died not long after my mother returned, why didn’t Dad let us come be with her? What was the other reason for keeping us away?
“I guess so.” He shrugs, then turns to me. “Tell me something no one else knows?”
“I’m scared…” I start to say, trying to find the right words.
Mattia pulls me closer to him. “What are you scared of? Us? If I’m around, I’ll protect you, Red.”
“I’m scared that I will fall in love with everything that my dad fought so hard to shield me from.” I gulp, fighting back the tears.
Mattia puffs a ring in front of us. “What was he like?”
“He was strict, very protective of me. My whole childhood feels like a lie now. I understand he was trying to protect me, but shouldn’t I have had the choice to get to know her?”
“Families do fucked-up things when they think they’re protecting you…” Mattia pauses. “Just remember, your family is who you choose, fuck blood relations.”
Mattia let slip yesterday that there’s a meeting this morning with the Capos and brothers—one Luciano conveniently forgot to mention to me. Am I mad? No, I’m furious! How am I supposed to learn about the businesses if he doesn’t start including me?
Rummaging through my closest, I put on a tight black pencil skirt with a slit that runs halfway up my thigh. I match it with my favorite new red corset and matching black blouse and Louis Vuitton pumps. Wanting to look every damn inch the sexy mafia principessa I am, I draw my eyeliner sharp, my mascara thick, and red lipstick to match my anger. My main goal? To piss Luciano off.
Looking at my watch, it’s been fifteen minutes since the meeting started. Perfect. I stride out of my room with Rocco hot on my heels, much to my dismay, and storm into the office, flashing my sweetest, deadliest smile.
“Hi guys, sorry I’m late,” I say to the room full of men. “Someone forgot to tell me about the meeting.” My gaze zeroes in on Luciano, sharp and challenging.
The brothers? Mattia’s barely holding in his laughter like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Carlo’s his usual stone-faced self, but he’s starting to become more readable to me: he’s amused. Gabriele, glued to his tablet, pretending I’m invisible like normal. Stefano, the guy looks genuinely caught off guard. The five Capos standing in the room are looking at me completely shocked.
I can’t help myself. Turning towards them, I give them a big wave. “Hi Capos, I’m Charlotte Carlisi.” The stunned faces keep looking at me, unsure if they should believe me.
