Page 123 of Capo
“No! Luca. Don’t! There’s so much else you can do in life. Don’t get caught in his claws too. I’m losing everybody! I’m gonna fucking murder him!”
Matteo turns to us. “That sounds interesting. Who’re you gonna murder?”
“No one,” I mutter.
“Uncle!” says Luca, cheerily.
“Oh, well, good luck with that.” Matteo looks over at Eric Reed and Ivan Sokolov who sit close to Uncle, and well within hearing distance.
Eric looks up and meets my gaze and I blush furiously. I glance at his Anna, and then back at the devastatingly handsome enforcer. I wouldn’t have declined a night with him, had he been single, but fuck me, who chooses to live with him? She must be pretty damn spectacular.
Life can change in a flash. I take in Salvatore and this Chloe by his side. They laugh and sit with their heads together, whispering to each other. She looks content. He looks… happy.
The toastmaster, a guy named Charlie Bourne, stands.
“The mothers have spoken. The Godfathers, or whatever, from Sicily has spoken. The friends and the brothers have spoken. I give the floor to Miss Angela Russo, Christian’s sister!”
He extends a hand to me and I stand. My heart pounds, I hate that all eyes are suddenly on me. I’ve tried to fly under the radar for so many years, and here I am, in the dragon’s den despite my efforts. I wipe my sweaty palms on my skirt, smoothing out the little wrinkles.
“Christian. My brother, my idol, and my greatest supporter. I never thought I’d see the day when you settled down. When I heard you found the one, in the most impossible way imaginable, I honestly didn’t believe it at first, but you’ve always had a good heart, deep down. You didn’t see it yourself, but I knew it, and Kerry knew it. I want to thank you—” I turn to Kerry, “from the bottom of my heart, for saving my brother even though I know it’s not what you thought you did at the time.” Kerry’s smile widens and lights up the room. “You have the most beautiful daughter and—” I glance at her glass of wine that I’ve noticed comes from another bottle than the rest of us gets, “I hope to see many more little Russos, because by God, you make cute kids! I also hope to see you in New York. Lots!”
“We hope to see you in San Fran a lot more,” shouts Christian and winks.
I cut Uncle a quick glance and he looks creepily satisfied. If he has plans, I’m out of here!
“New York,” I say. “I offer up Nathan and Sydney’s place. They have plenty of space.”
“Not for long,” says Nathan and lays a hand on Sydney’s belly. She slaps it away and glances around the table, a blush spreading on her cheeks.
“Get out of here!” I squeal. “Congrats!”
“You weren’t supposed to,” she hisses, loud enough for us all to hear. “Not yet. God!”
Nathan laughs. “I got carried away by the mood.”
“I propose a toast to the happy couple,” I say and raise my glass. “I love you, Christian. I’ll be your new best friend, Kerry. You’ll see a lot of me! To love and eternal happiness!”
Nathan stands, as does Matteo, Luca, and Salvatore, then everyone follows.
“To love,” says everyone in a thunderous sound as they raise their glasses.
When the happy couple’s noses have been dipped in cream and the cake has been eaten, we all stand. I rush over and grab Luca’s arm, pulling him with me.
“You are not gonna work for Uncle!”
“Why so sour, sis? Jealous?”
“Fuck’s sake, no! He’s a murderer and a cruel beast. You’re dooming yourself. You’ll regret this!”
He gives me a quick hug. “I’ll always be your brother, Ang. This is who I am. It’s what I’ve wanted my whole life. Bianca has treated me like a kid. Luci has treated me like a kid. I’m finally being acknowledged.”
“There are other ways to get respect, bro.”
“Not for me, there isn’t. We were born for this. You were born for this.”
“I am—” A shadow towers over us and I spin around, staring at the broad chest of Uncle Salvatore. Fuck! “I’m gonna fucking murder you!” I snarl. “Don’t pull Luca into your business too. Take me instead!”
Salvatore laughs and grabs my arm while he looks at Luca. “I’ve been meaning to have a word with your little spitfire of a sister, may I borrow her for a while?”