296 - Leon Carter

296 - Leon Carter
Leon Carter

For the reception, one of the most luxurious hotels in the city was chosen. All the guests were instructed to go directly to the reception venue, but before Ella and I could head there, we had to stop somewhere else first.

"Are you ready?" I asked as soon as the vehicle stopped in front of the “First” headquarters.

"I’ll never be fully ready, but I’m determined to become a true Carter," she said, and I saw the courage appear in her eyes.

Bear was with us, as well as Harry. I wasn’t entirely sure what Gavin had to do, but he had to go somewhere before attending the ceremony, something I’m certain would make my father and godfather very irritated.

"I want you both to keep your eyes open. I’m sure my father is planning something for Arnold, and I don’t want to be caught off guard," I said, looking at Bear and Harry.

"I’m sure too, but I couldn’t get any information from the people around Mr. Carter," Bear replied.

"Why are you so sure?" Ella asked.

"There were over a hundred soldiers scattered throughout the Cathedral during the ceremony, and that’s just from the Carter side. Each of the other leaders had their own security teams as well."

"Maybe it was just security. Fay and Charlie said the most ruthless members of the mafia were there..." she said thoughtfully.

"Maybe."

I took her hand and kissed her fingers gently. Over the past year, Ella has been training and learning everything she needs to know. She’s fully aware of her role within the mafia and what she will become once my father is ready to hand over the power and leadership of our house in New York. I’ll take care of everything and everyone, with Ella by my side.

My mother already said that for someone who wasn’t born into the mafia, Ella is learning fast, and she’s confident that my wife will bring great pride as she leads just as she does to this day.

We got out of the vehicle in the building’s underground garage and entered the elevator to go to the top floor, where several people were already waiting for us.

As soon as I opened the door to my father’s office, everyone was already there, and with them, a man I didn’t expect. I looked at Alex Spanos, who was accompanied by his wife Bonnie, engaged in a lively conversation with Joaquim Garcia’s wives. Zakhar and Marzio were speaking nearby.

My mother came over and took Ella to join Atena and Bonnie, while we began the initiation of my wife into the “First.”

My father smiled and glanced sideways at Arnold, and I think I’m starting to understand what he’s trying to do. Maybe he wants to put a leash on a rat’s neck to lead him straight into a trap and finally put an end to that miserable man.

"Arnold, how good of you to come to us!" I said, standing face-to-face with him.

"It felt like the right thing to do, and I want to end this rivalry with the 'First.' Maybe even form an alliance," he said, and I nodded.

"Perhaps we can discuss that another time. Today is about my wife..."

"It was about time we had the billionaire princess on our side," my uncle Matheus said, laughing.

I watched as my mother and the other women instructed Ella on what was about to happen. We kept a light conversation going about the wedding and how many important people were there.

"I want to talk to Oleg. Apparently, he’s been doing some business he shouldn’t be," my godfather said, and Marzio approached.

"We’re already investigating the routes being used. As soon as we have more information, I’ll report back," he said, and I nodded.

"I’m ready!" Ella appeared beside me, and I was surprised to see her wearing a plastic apron over her dress. "Just avoiding stains," she said with an innocent smile.

"Then let’s begin," my father began to say... The silence around us was like a funeral, there was immense respect.

"At this moment, Ella Carter ceases to be a member of the organization her parents served," my father said, approaching a tray with a blade carved with the family crest.

I noticed that everyone began to gather around to witness what was about to happen. Ella stood by my side, her smile fading as tension filled her body, she was analyzing everything taking place.

"Repeat after me," he continued, looking at Ella.

We all watched as he made a deep cut in his own hand, a gesture of initiation for anyone joining our family and the “First.”

"I pledge loyalty to the Carter house, no longer to the government, nor the church, nor political parties, nor the people, nor my family, nor God, not even to myself..."

My wife took a step forward. I saw the confidence in her at that moment, and I felt an even deeper sense of pride. She raised her right hand and offered it to my father. My gaze was fixed on my wife’s face, which didn’t show a hint of weakness.

I stepped forward when I saw my father cutting into the palm of her hand, a deep cut that would certainly need stitches.

Then she said…

"I pledge loyalty to the Carter house, no longer to the government, nor the church, nor political parties, nor the people, nor my family, nor God, not even to myself." She pressed her hand against my father’s, and I saw new courage being born in her.

A blood oath is not something to be taken lightly. From now on, anything my wife does that isn’t accepted by our organization can be considered betrayal, and death would be the least of her problems.

"If I may, Father-in-law, I’d like to give Leon my wedding gift!" I tilted my head, not knowing what she was up to.

"The floor is yours, my daughter-in-law!" I heard pride in his voice.

Ella turned to me, and I smiled before kissing her forehead.

"I love you, Leon. I would give my life for you. For your peace of mind, I would give you everything that troubles you. And for you, I give back the peace you lost so many years ago..."

I was so moved by what my wife had just said that I hardly noticed when Matheus and Zakhar positioned themselves beside Arnold.

"You hurt my husband because he killed your wife, who was cheating on you with your second-in-command..." Then she walked toward him, and I saw the fear in his eyes as he realized what was happening.

My eyes shifted to my mother and all the women who were now looking at my wife with admiration. In a swift move, Matheus kicked the back of Arnold’s knee, making him fall to his knees in front of my wife, and I saw her drive the blade into his neck, killing him right there.

I was so shocked, I couldn’t move in any direction.

"That’s right, Ella..." my mother said, and I saw my godmother smiling.

"Damn!" we jumped when the door suddenly burst open.

Gavin appeared in a hurry, and there was something in his eyes, completely different from how he was earlier. I saw my godmother looking at him, while I stepped closer to my wife and took the dagger from her hand.

"Magnificent..." I said for everyone to hear, and then I leaned in and whispered, "That made me hard."

I smiled and pulled her away from the man who was dying in front of us.

"You can’t get your beautiful dress dirty," I said, touching the apron that now made perfect sense.

"Did you like your gift?"

"You couldn’t have given me anything better, my love," I replied, holding her face tenderly before kissing her.

"Can we enjoy our party now? And I also want to know what happened with Gavin," she asked, and I nodded.

I looked one last time at the dead man, the monster from all my nightmares, and the feeling of freedom calmed me. I held her uninjured hand and thanked my mother, who helped clean and dress the wound discreetly.

"Now tell me what happened, you’re different..."

My cousin smiled, and I saw happiness and peace light up the room at that moment.

"She came to me. She was with Lessie, and she said..."