Page 30 of Love & Power

The patio was elegant but not overly fancy with trellises covered in ivy and string lights strung up between them. Seating was a mix of traditional restaurant tables and chairs along with patio furniture, couches, and armchairs. A wonderful breeze moved through the air, spreading the fragrance of all the flowers hung in planters on the railing.

“Here you are, Madam Raffa. Your server will be over shortly as well as our sommelier, should you have any questions,” the hostess informed, stopping near a corner section with two couches and armchairs surrounding a low square table.

“Thank you, this is perfect,” I said with a smile.

Never one to be rude for no reason, I didn’t tend to worry about my interactions with people. However, now that it was safe to say everyone knew who I was, my first impression on this town was important. Braxton and Jace joined us just after we sat down, taking two of the chairs. I noticed something peeking out of Jace’s pocket and grinned, knowing it was my underwear.

“What’s got you looking like the cat who caught a mouse?” Liu whispered in my ear.

Not wanting to spill the secret, I smiled. “Let’s call it an inside joke. It means something to me, but no one else would really get it.”

“I know I pride myself on not keeping secrets from you, but even I understand some moments are meant to be kept between two people,” Liu reasoned.

Cocking my head, I frowned. “What brought that up?”

“Nothing, I just felt like it needed to be said,” Liu assured me. “What I mean to say is there’s a difference between being asked to keep something from someone that might cause harm by divulging the information and a person trusting you with information about themselves they don’t want others to know. I’m not looking to live a life of radical honesty with you where there are no secrets of any kind between us. My goal is that you trust me to tell you the whole truth about any situation I find myself in.”

“I’m still not following…” I admitted.

Liu took my hand in both of his, holding it gently. “My mother and father do nothing but lie to each other to get ahead in life. As a female politician, Mother had to work twice as hard to get the respect she has today, but that respect is built on a mountain of lies. My parents will never divorce, their marriage being about power and money. Yet I think there could have been love if my father could ever trust a word leaving my mother’s mouth. Seeing what lies for personal gain could do to a relationship, I vowed I’d never be like them. I want to have a life with someone where there’s mutual trust, but I know I can’t expect you to be as honest with me as I am with you. That’s not how it works in the mafia world, and I accept that reality. All that to say, if you need to keep something from me, I don’t want you ever thinking I’ll be mad about you not giving me the same level of honesty.”

I rested my other hand on his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “It means everything to me that I never have to question if you’re being honest. That is a treasured gift in this life I live, and I will do everything I can to reciprocate that. As you said, some things I might have to keep to myself if it pertains personally to one of the guys or in order to protect you. Keeping the balance between relationships and responsibility is a tricky one, to be sure. Yet with mutual trust, it makes my job of pulling it off easier.”

Liu kissed me then pulled me to lean against him with his arm wrapped around my shoulder. “You are an amazing woman, Astin, and what we plan to do here in Nepreea is just the beginning of your story. I can’t wait to see what else life has in store for you.”

Melting into his hold, I took in the sight of all my guys sitting here with me, wishing I could take a mental picture of this moment. “It better have more moments like this,” I whispered to myself.

thirteen

The following morning, I woke up feeling much better about pretty much everything in general. We’d spent the night drinking wine, eating delicious food, and just spending time with each other as a family. While the guys had all known each other before I entered the picture, they didn’t have a reason to bond. These seven men were so vastly different from each other and without something to link them together, they’d have no reason to spend time together. Yet something told me they needed each other as much as I needed them. Everyone needs people they trust to watch their back or talk to, knowing they will understand their life. It was a beautiful moment I plan to treasure always, but we weren’t here for a family vacation—there was work to be done.

Arriving in the dining room, I spotted Frediano reading a newspaper seated to the right of the head of the table. It gave me pause, but I needed to accept the reality that this particular change in status was happening even if I didn’t choose it.

“Good morning,” I greeted Frediano.

He smiled and folded up the paper. “Good morning, Astin. Did you have a nice evening?”

Just as I was about to sit, Beatrice hurried forward and pulled out the chair for me.

“Ah, Bea…” I started then stopped. “Do you mind if I call you Bea?”

“No, Mistress Raffa, you may call me Bea if you like,” she answered, blushing slightly. “That’s what most of my friends and family call me. Hardly anyone uses my full name.”

“I’ll call you Bea if you switch back to calling me Lady Astin,” I countered. “You’ll find I’m not big on formality for formalities’ sake, such as pulling out my chair. I admire you for wanting to show respect to the head of the Family, but you and Gemma are my bodyguards first and foremost.”

Beatrice dropped her head. “Forgive me for overstepping, Lady Astin.”

Reaching out, I lifted her chin to look me in the eyes. “Bea, don’t drop your chin to anyone, not even me. Stand tall and proud. You’re a personal bodyguard to the Don of the Raffa Family.” Dropping my hand, I looked over my shoulder where Gemma stood by the dining room entrance. “Gemma, could you come here, please?”

Once she was standing next to Beatrice, both still in their simple gray dress that marked them as staff. I understood what Frediano was trying to accomplish doing this, but it wasn’t working for me.

“Ladies, from now on, I want you to dress in all black. I’m going to have a few suits made for you. Until then, wear something you feel you can do your job in which isn’t acting like a maid. From this second on, your only job is to keep me safe and alive, understood?” I asked.

“Yes, Lady Astin,” they answered.

“Ralph, could you step in here?” I called, not bothering to question if he was close by or not. Sure enough, he stepped in from the courtyard as if appearing out of thin air. “Ladies, this is Boykov, and he is in charge of my bodyguards. He is who you go to first if there is trouble, you have questions, or anything else related to doing your job. If you can’t reach him, Master Ryker is your next call as the head of security. On the rare chance you can’t reach either of them, Master Jace would be next on the list to contact. Any questions on that?” I inquired.

“No, Lady Astin.”