Chapter 14 The Wrong Sister
LORENZO
Don Carmello was livid and barely controlled his anger as we strode into his office, but the man's anger exploded with the click of the door shutting. He whirled around and marched towards me; Luca was instantly there, blocking him.
“I'll warn you against doing something stupid, Carmello,” Luca gritted.
“Get out of the way, Luca,” I said blankly; I'd expected this, of course. I knew exactly what I was doing; I also knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I didn't fucking care.
I want that little witch, and no one else would do, and Carmelo may not like it, might even try to deny me, but in the end, he would give me what I want.
He needs me to handle the Russians, the Mexican cartel, and, of course, give him access to the safest routes to deliver his goods, which are all under my control, well, technically, they are under my underboss's control, but he answers to me.
He wouldn't jeopardize this new and fragile alliance. He's smart. I'll give him that; he wouldn't have been able to rule his family for more than two decades if he were an idiot. He and I know Sancia is already mine.
But I will allow him his dignity, let him huff and puff and show his displeasure for appearance's sake.
Because that's all this was. A part of me finds him utterly distasteful that he's so easily willing to use his daughters to get what he wants.
But what does that say about me, because I'm capitalizing on that to get what I want? I'm not under any illusion that I'm a good man, but I'll say with a hundred percent surety that I would never use my daughter’s life to further myself.
We might be brokering an alliance that might make me his son-in-law in the future, but that didn't mean shit to me. I still hate the fucker, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual. We don't have to like each other to have a truce.
“What the fuck did you do to my daughter, Lorenzo?” he asked darkly, poking me in the chest. I chuckle, but there was no mirth in my voice. All the amusement of earlier suddenly drained, and my face hardened.
“Firstly, you will take your damn finger off of me and fucking control yourself, Carmelo, or this alliance won't be happening,” I said calmly, but the dark look I sent him was enough to tell him blood would flow if he dared to touch me again, right here in his home.
“Secondly, trust me, if I had fuck Sancia, you would have known about it,” I replied darkly. Because I know that's what he's thinking.
That I had ruined her, dishonored her, and that's why I'm asking for her hand in marriage. I'm very much aware of their tradition of the bloody sheets and how they expect their women and daughters to remain untouched until their wedding night.
“How dare…” Romero was the one who quickly got in between us.
“Easy, let's calm down and talk like gentlemen.”
“Listen, Carmello, I don't lack whores to fuck that I would go after an innocent girl. Sancia and I met years ago, but it was nothing like what you're thinking now. I elaborate not for his sake but for hers. I didn't want him to give her hell over nothing. That would be my job.
“I will believe you, but if it turns out you are not a man of honor, there will be hell, Lorenzo,” he said.
“Do not fucking threaten me, Carmelo,” I warned; I might be willing to let people underestimate me by acting the opposite of what they expect, but there are times when the darkness inside can not be hidden. I'm already starting to get pissed.
“I believe Lorenzo, brother, you need to calm down,” Romero said. “Lorenzo, would you like a drink?” he asked, trying to diffuse the tension still brewing between us as Carmelo and I glared at each other. I smirk.
“Bourbon, if you have it.”
“Of course,” he said, forcing a lightness in his voice. He stalked to the small bar where a few bottles of alcohol were and poured drinks into four glasses. He handed the drinks out first to me, his Capo, and then Luca, holding his drink in his hand, he said.
“You'll have to agree, Lorenzo, that what you did was unexpected, disrespectful, and not what was agreed upon.” I took a sip of the bourbon before I answered.
“No, I don't agree. As far as I'm concerned, we already shook hands on the marriage alliance when I agreed to marry your niece. What difference does it make whether it's Sancia or Isabella? You never specified which daughter I was to marry. So I did.” I know I was speaking out of my ass, but I'm not backing down on this.
“Sancia was not part of our agreement, Lorenzo. Even if she wasn't promised to another man, you still can't marry her. Naturally, as the oldest daughter, Isabella has to be married before Sancia is.” Don Carmelo finally said, "I could see he'd calmed down, and he was trying to be reasonable."
“Who made such rules? She's of marriageable age, and you're the Capo and her father. I have agreed to all your terms and demands, but you won't agree to mine? Are you backing out, Carmello? Don't forget that this alliance was your idea, an honorable man would never go back on his word,” I said coldly.
“I'm not backing out, but you are deliberately asking for the impossible. Her fiancé is alive, not dead. It would be dishonorable for me to call off their engagement just like that. I would lose the respect of my underbosses and soldiers, or is that what you want? Do you mean to humiliate me? Is that why you agreed to the alliance?” Carmelo gritted angrily.
“Now you exaggerate, don't tell me you can't control your men. And if I want to humiliate you, I have more effective ways than getting married to your daughter,” I replied, arching a brow. I could do that and more.
“Watch what you say to me, I'm old enough to…” he started.
“What? My father?” I spat. Eyes glaring at him.
“Carmelo, my Capo did not make this decision based on a whim; it's well thought out.” Luca quickly cut in
“If I'm not mistaken, Orazio was Isabella’s fiancé; how do you think she'll feel about getting married to a man who was responsible for the death of her fiancé? Have you considered what your underbosses will say?” My brow arched at Luca. Hmm, this might work.
“They might consider this a betrayal. You know as well as we do that there are those in both our families who do not agree with this alliance. If we fail to come to an agreement now, there will never be peace between us for another decade, probably another century, so think about this carefully,” Luca said.
Both Carmelo and Romero were quiet as they thought about what Luca said.
“We'll think about it,” Romero assured. I nodded and placed the glass of bourbon on the desk.
“Let's get one thing straight, Carmelo; you and I are on equal footing. So, do not think of using your age as a tool to earn my respect or mercy. I don't fucking care if you're as old as the ground we stand on. We're equal partners. I'll respect you when you fucking deserve it. We'll leave you to think about whether or not you want this alliance,” I said, holding his eyes, making sure I get my word across before nodding and heading straight for the door.
He will call me. I do not doubt that.
“You should have fucking told me what you were planning; I walked in there with you thinking we were going to your engagement, only for you to make a spectacle of the whole thing,” Luca rants frustratingly.
“Disrespecting a Capo in his home with a shit-eating grin. Do you have any idea how close we were to starting a bloody war? And we went in there with just you, me, and Fabio.”
We just got out of the car, and we're walking into one of our casinos. Located on the Las Vegas strip. Fabio was right on our heels as we made our way to the private office at the back. The manager, Julio, nodded at us as we strode past him.
“I'm sure you could have taken them,” I said with a grin. “Besides, I know what I was doing, Carmelo, a fucker though he is, he wasn't a man who would endanger his family. He wouldn't risk starting a war when he's at a disadvantage, and you forget he desperately wants this alliance.”
“Right, you've calculated everything. But explain this to me because I don't get it; why did you choose that viper? Did you see how she was glaring at you? Your life could have been easier with an obedient woman like her sister by your side, but you chose the one who would rather see you dead?” he asked, bewildered.
My lips twitch. “Easy is boring, Luca. How many times must I tell you that?” I replied, chuckling, reminded of the Tigress.
Luca was right. She's a viper, and those golden eyes glaring at me were the highlights of tonight. Seeing her shock and surprise was exhilarating; she looked as beautiful as she did back then, only more mature, and her body in that dress was a killer.
I shake my head and think about the other important task that brought me to this city.
Sin City hadn't changed much since I was last here, a couple of months ago. The nightlife was robust, with clubs and casinos filled to the brim with rich people looking for fun, with beautiful and exotic men and women in their arms, gambling, drinking, etc.
It was all so familiar, and of course, we encouraged it. This is where I made my first millions.
If I were asked, I would say Las Vegas was the thumping heart of the States. It brings all manner of people, especially the adventurous and depraved, and it was exactly what I had counted on, so I started my own business here a couple of years ago.
Marco wasn't aware of this, of course; he thought we only ran the family business here whenever I was down. And I never gave him a reason to doubt otherwise.
My men were loyal and never told anyone about my club and Casino who could get the word back to my Nonno.
I take off my coat the instant we enter the office. I couldn't help seeing her golden eyes in my mind's eye. Sancia had no idea what I wanted from her, and the truth is, I want every damn thing.
I don't care if she's in love with some idiot; I will make her mine. Because whether she knows it or not, she fucking owes me, and I'm here to collect every drop of blood.