We hug, tight enough to feel the tension in her chest, then I make a beeline for my father. He’s got a woman draped on one arm and is chatting with an older family friend.
“Mario, it’s so good to see you.” I kiss both his cheeks, and he sizes me up with that calculating look that always makes my skin prickle.
“Sophia, where’s your costume?” he asks, his voice sharp but teasing.
He’s dressed like Gomez Addams—slicked-back hair, pinstripe suit—and his wife, no doubt, will be dresses as Morticia. The woman with my father looks like she’s trying to be Marilyn Monroe, but the wig is all wrong, slipping slightly over her eyes.
“Yes, Sophia,” Papa says, narrowing his gaze at me. “Why aren’t you dressed?”
I take a breath, smile sweetly, and keep my tone light. “Papa, there’s been a slight change of plans. Raphael and Antonio want to speak with you inside.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Is that so?”
“Yes, Papa. We should hurry before they kill each other,” I say, giving Mario and the younger woman a polite smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes.
Papa pats the woman’s hand and nods toward Mario. “Family business. I’ll be back shortly.”
Then he grabs me by the upper arm and marches me toward the house. The crowd parts instinctively, and I notice all the Halloween costumes, the grotesque, the funny, the flashy—like ghosts moving through my vision. It all feels unreal.
Maria is waiting by the front door with a younger version of Raphael and Salvador Costa. My chest tightens.
“It seems we have a problem,” Papa says, frowning.
“Could we discuss this inside?” Maria asks cautiously.
“Yes, inside would be better.” Agrees the younger man holding a hand to his chest, he turns to the me. “I’m Gabriel Costa.”
“Sophia,” I say.
“I know,” he replies with a smile. He ushers Maria and his father inside.
“Head for Antonio’s office,” I tell the group.
We move through the house, and I pull my arm free of Papa’s grip to take the lead.
When we reach Antonio’s office, I knock. The door swings open, and Raphael’s eyes meet mine. Relief flashes across his face.
We all step inside. The office has always felt big to me, but tonight, it feels claustrophobic, as though the walls are pressing in, with so many men in the room.
Gabriel embraces Raphael. Raphael’s hand goes to the back of Gabriel’s neck in an affectionate hold.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Raphael says quietly.
“And you, brother. When Maria used our code word, I feared the worst.”
Salvador Costa leans forward, frowning. “What is going on?”
Papa glances at me, raising an eyebrow. “Why are you dressed like this, Sophia?”
Antonio steps to Raphael’s side. “We think the Russians are trying to spark a war between us.”
Papa chuckles, sliding into the chair behind Antonio’s desk. “Did Sophia come up with this ruse to get out of marrying Raphael, or did Raphael decide my daughter isn’t to his taste?”
“Neither,” Antonio replies firmly.
Raphael pivots sharply, his eyes locking on his father. “Their security team at the back of the property… they’re all dead.”
Silence hits the room.
