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I followed Lucia to the dining room where we found the men seated and drinking what looked like port. They turned their heads to Lucia when she stepped into the room.
“Nikita and I are going shopping and putting the arrangements in place for the wedding.”
"There is nothing to be done, Mother. I have everything ready. Father Patrick will be here at 4 pm on Saturday to marry us here."
Lucia shook her head. “You will be married at St Giles. I am quite sure Father Patrick will accommodate my request. I won’t have time to send formal invitations to your guests so I will call people personally.”
I watched as the more Lucia spoke, the redder Benvolio’s face became. He shot to his feet. “No! This wedding will not be a public affair. I forbid your interference.”
Glancing at Lucia, I saw the fire spark in her eyes. She was not a woman to be crossed.
Lucia stalked to her son, tipped her head back slightly and slammed both fists on her hips.
“You may be head of the famiglia business, but you are my son. As your mother, you will respect my word. You will give Nikita the wedding she deserves. She will not be kept locked in her room and is to be free to roam the property. If she is offered a position as a schoolteacher, you will celebrate her success. She will be on your arm for galas and functions, will take the Abruzzenesa name, and son…?
"Yes, Mother?"
"If you ever threaten to send her to Segreti, to make her disappear, or threaten her father with death again, I will ensure you are no longer in charge of the Abruzzenesa business. Behaving in such a manner dishonours our name and you will no longer be worthy of your position. Do you have anything to say?"
"No, Mother," Benvolio spoke quietly but I noticed the vein throbbing in his forehead. He was angry.
Lucia then turned her attention to Benvolio’s men who had shocked expressions on their faces and lips slightly parted.
"I'll also warn all of you since you are like brothers to Benvolio and sons to me and Enzo...If you disrespect Nikita in any way, you will answer to me, and using the excuse you were instructed by Benvolio, will not be acceptable. Am I understood?"
There was a chorus of, "Yes, Ma'am."
Lucia then faced her husband and his shoulders lifted as he cringed slightly. The room was filled with powerful men yet not one of them had dared speak against Lucia.
"As for you, Enzo...Your agreement with Ashe was fucking ridiculous. I warned you at the time not to meddle and I will not force you to break your word. BUT! You put these young people into a disgraceful position and now you will give unquestioning support as I help them navigate this mess. Capisce?"
Enzo nodded in what looked to me like defeat.
“Father,” Benvolio whined.
“It’s not worth my life to speak against your mother, Son. I have so little time left and I would like to be around to see you married.”
Lucia hooked her arm through mine. “As I said, we are going shopping and then Nikita will be staying with me until the wedding.”
We made our way outside to where a limousine was parked at the bottom of the steps. The driver who was introduced as Mario, and who had been leaning against the car, immediately straightened and opened the rear door.
Lucia and I slid onto the rear seat. Mario closed the door and climbed behind the wheel.”
"Where to, Ma'am?"
“Sonya Petal Wedding Designs in Double Bay.”
Mario headed away from the estate, and for the first time in hours, with Lucia in my corner, I felt protected. Even though I was powerless to change my fate, I felt ready to handle anything thrown my way.
Chapter Five
BENVOLIO
I watched my mother leave the room arm in arm with Nikita. Anger burned in every cell of my body. I loved my mother dearly, but I was ready to see her six feet under. Not really, I would never harm a hair on her head, but man she pushed all my buttons sometimes.
I poured myself a whisky and dropped into a chair before gulping a mouthful and slamming the glass down on the table.
The men remained quiet, they knew now was not the time to speak.
