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I shouldn’t feel as comfortable as I do. This is all very dangerous, the vibe evident. “Can I ask you something without you getting angry?”
He gives me a look that says I better watch what I say. “You can try.”
“I feel something that I can’t get past. It’s like this is dangerous, even though it doesn’t seem to be.”
“Damn, you’re a natural.” His grin tells me he’s pleased with me. “When you’re in the line of business that all the men in this room are, it’s not only the men who are in danger but also the families. You never know when a rival family will come after us. And anytime there’s a big get-together, or even a small one, the danger increases tenfold.”
The idea terrifies me. “So I was safe until I married you?”
He laughs. “You haven’t been safe since your father died. With him out of the way, you’ve been fair game. I mean, you have no one to protect you, Lisa. Look how easily I took everything from you. But now you’re protected not only by me but by my family as well. You’re safer than you have ever been in your whole life.”
I don’t understand, but I say, “Well, thank you for bringing me into the safest place it sounds like I can be. Even though I will be in constant danger now.”
“Like I said, you’ve always been in danger, but now you’re aware of it. And you have protection that you didn’t have before. You’ll never walk down the street alone again. That’s the kind of protection our family gives its members.”
“I’ll have bodyguards?”
“Yeah. When I can’t be with you, there will be others watching over you.” Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he pulls me close. “You’re in good hands, Lisa Vietti, and you have my brother, Enzo, to thank for that.”
I glance at the far end of the table and see no smile on his brother’s face. In contrast, his wife is doing nothing but smiling. “They’re very different from each other, aren’t they?”
Frank follows my gaze. “That they are. She was eighteen when she married my brother, who was eight years older. Our father ruled this family, and everyone knew Enzo would take over at some point.”
“So he was raised to be the leader of the family,” I say.
“He was. And he went into his marriage knowing he had to gain the upper hand right away. He let his young wife know that he was top dog, and if she was good and did everything he wanted her to, she might one day win his respect.”
“Has she won it yet?” I ask because it seems he is paying no attention to his sweet, beautiful wife, who dotes on him.
“That’s not for any of us to ask. It’s none of our business what goes on in their home. It’s not like it would matter if she disrespected him or not. He has the right to act any way he wants to whomever he wants.”
“There are laws though,” I say. “If she’s being abused—”
He places a finger against my lips to quiet me. “Don’t ever talk like that again. Do you understand me?”
I do understand, but then again, I don’t. Nodding anyway, I pick up the fork and spoon and begin twirling my spaghetti. “I think I’ll just enjoy this wonderful pasta. I haven’t eaten anything today. And what a feast we have here.”
“Good.”
I can see that this is going to be one of those relationships where I have to watch my every word.
As I eat, I scan the table full of Viettis and try not to think about the relationships of the other couples. I had no idea I was so nosy, but I can’t help but wonder about the members of this family that I am now, in a weird way, a part of.
This is not how I saw my day going at all. I thought the most dangerous part of my day would be delivering the flowers to Frank. What a strange turn of events.
Later, after the meal and after cutting the cake, I find myself sitting alone. Sheila comes to sit next to me. “What a day, huh?”
Not sure what the hell to say, I lean back and stretch out my legs. “I’m feeling overwhelmed,” I say as tears threaten.
“That’s natural. You wouldn’t be human if you felt any other way. This little gathering is coming to an end, and you’ll go back to a home that was once yours and yours alone.” She loops an arm through mine, rests her head on my shoulder, and sighs.
“But now everything is his. Nothing is mine anymore. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.”
“Your husband will tell you what to do. Whatever he says, just do it, Lisa. Don’t make things hard for yourself.”
“Is that how you keep the peace in your marriage?” I know Frank said not to ask about people’s relationships, but I’m curious.
“Keeping the peace is something I gave up on a long time ago. I’m just happy I get to keep breathing.” She laughs like it’s a joke, but I know it’s not.
