His gaze clashes with mine, and I’m simultaneously surprised and intrigued at the tempestuous fire burning within his usually irreverent green eyes.
Both men’s eyes shift from me to my right when Aurelia walks out onto the steps beside me, every inch the Caruso queen our father reared her to be.
When I’d confessed to her, detailing the alliance with Santino, she’d handled herself with more dignity than most. Following the trauma she’d just lived through, many women would have crumbled, but not my sister.
I glance to my right, finding her watching both men approach with a cool regality in her mahogany eyes. Her chin tilts upward as she clasps both hands behind her back.
A floor-length black dress with long black sleeves covers her body, hiding several remaining bruises from her time with Conti, but I fear the internal scars may never heal.
I turn my gaze back to the DeMarco men, instantly noting how Santino has shifted his eyes away from Aurelia, focusing instead on the ground as his feet close the distance.
It’s the look on Cesare’s face that give me pause when I look back at him. Pale brown eyes devour my sister, running the length and breadth of her body unashamedly, and a deep-seated sense of foreboding permeates my body.
“Welcome, Cesare.” I nod at the first Don to arrive at our newly formed Conclave, the gathering of the Four Families, replacing the outdated Congress.
Conclave will occur annually moving forward, and will rotate between each household’s main compound, alternating alphabetically.
Caruso. DeMarco. Medici. Salvatore.
Even as he nods his thanks and accepts my outstretched hand, Cesare keeps his eyes glued to Aurelia, though to her credit, she remains wholly impassive.
“My most sincere thanks for your help in taking down Conti.” He finally meets my gaze with a self-satisfied grin, though it falters as I continue. “Your heir is an exceptional fighter, Cesare. Particularly with a blade.”
My eyes flick to a reserved Santino, and I tip my chin in acknowledgment. He nods with a tight smile, his jaw ticking as he grits his teeth. “Grazie, Rafael.”
Cesare snorts a laugh. “I suppose we’re all good at something,corretto? And my son has had years to perfect the art of fightingmeat every damn turn.”
His laugh becomes louder as he clearly baits his son, and I can even feel Aurelia stiffen beside me. I’m suddenly grateful that Elodie had thought it wiser to remain upstairs with Alessio while our guests are here.
My oldest brother’s ability to control himself following his time in captivity, having suffered God knows what at Conti’s maniac hands, has led to some erratic behavior, though Elodie appears to be making headway with him.
I can practically feel the rage bristling from Santino’s body, and in an effort to keep the peace before Conclave has even begun, I try another tactic.
“Would you like to wait in the Den, gentlemen? Our companions will be here shortly, and then we can get started on making some long-lasting alliances.”
My forehead puckers when I note Santino clench and unclench his fists several times before his father speaks.
“Si, Caruso. Marriage alliances are an old tradition, but they work for a reason.”
I nod at Cesare’s observation, agreeing with him to some extent but not particularly liking the fact. “I suppose you are right. These alliances are a good move on all our parts.”
Cesare steps closer, reaching out a hand toward Aurelia. Her brow wavers ever-so slightly, but she accepts his hand with that same indifference I’ve come to expect since her return.
“You’ll see that it’s a very good move. And I truly believe Aurelia will be very happy as my wife.”
My stomach swoops nauseatingly, and my eyebrows pinch together as I watch Cesare leering at my sister. “Happy with you? I’m afraid I don’t… I don’t understand.” His gaze swings back to me, and I immediately note the gleam of triumph shining in his murky eyes.
“Of course, I would never insult your family by offering marriage to my heir apparent.” His tone is gleeful, and my chest tightens. “It’s only right that Aurelia marries according to her station. Becoming my wife is theonlyoption here.”
Knowing Conti’s whereabouts when it suited him. Demanding an alliance between our families as payment for his help.
The motherfucker played me. Backed me into a corner. And I’d been so focused on getting Elodie and Aurelia back that I’d seen what I’d chosen to see.
But now that Conclave is in motion, he knows I can’t backtrack without upsetting the already precarious balance.
And as though thestronzohas just heard my thoughts, he steps around me toward the front door of my house, holding my eyes as the second SUV containing Franco and Ignazio Medici grinds to a halt on the gravel.
“After all, we must do everything in our power to prevent the remaining four from succumbing to the same insanity that you’ve just dispatched by ending the Conti line.”
