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Chapter Four
- Dante -
IPULLED MY GOLD POCKETwatch from my vest and popped the lid. A quarter after six. We were already fifteen minutes late for the party. I’m sure Lilly had planned for cocktails andhors-d’oeuvresto keep our guests occupied while they waited for the guest of honor, but the guest of honor was ready to go and had been since six o’clock.
“She’s got five minutes, then I’m yanking her out of the house whether she’s dressed or not,” Gabriel threatened.
I was about to tell him to relax when the swinging door flew open and Lilly hobbled into the kitchen, one shoe on, one shoe dangling from her hand.
“I know. I know.” She leaned on the granite countertop and slipped the other shoe into place. She glared at Gabriel who crossed his arms and glared back. “I’m trying!” she whined. “We’re only fifteen minutes late.”
“Get your coat,” he ordered as he started to shrug into his. “By the time we get there, it will be six forty-five.Ifthe traffic is good.”
He picked up his phone and ordered one of his men to “bring the car around.”
This was one of the things we had argued about in the past. I was perfectly capable of driving my own car. Gabriel insisted on security. I could damn well take care of myself, but tonight, I didn’t mention it. With Ma and Lilly with us, I was good with Gabriel’s henchman hanging around.
“Are you coming with us?” he asked me as I put on my coat.
I nodded, putting out my elbow to escort my mother through the door.
“Bellisima,” I murmured and kissed her cheek. I could hear Lilly in the background.
“Wait! I need to call her and see if she wants a ride. She may have left already... But I told her I’d call.”
Gabriel growled but gave in. “Fine, but you can do it as we walk.”
I didn’t pay any attention as I helped Ma down the curving stone steps of the back entrance where the SUV waited. We took the steps slowly. After pushing Gabriel’s monkey out of the way, I was equally careful with helping her step up into the monstrosity of a vehicle. I threw a scathing look at Gabriel
“It’s the safest way.” He shrugged off my concern while Lilly continued to chatter in the background.
“I’m fine,caro.”My mother patted my arm as I took the spot beside her. Gabriel’s pride and joy vehicle was a specially designed, bullet-proof SUV with tinted windows, champagne bar and limousine seating.
Lilly finished her conversation and put her phone away. “We can go,” she said. “She’s already at the venue.”
Gabriel glanced my way with a strange expression on his face. He looked relieved that whoever it was wasn’t going to be riding with us. Apparently satisfied with the situation, he reached into the bar and pulled out a bottle of champagne. “Then let’s get the party started.”
Lilly passed out four champagne flutes while Gabriel toasted. “To the woman of the hour!Buon Compleanno, Mama!”
We popped the cork, sang a quick birthday song, and started what I expected to be an enjoyable evening.
Five minutes later, some of us were getting grumpy as we sat in traffic.
“Stop worrying,” Lilly tried to soothe Gabriel. “It’s her party. It’s okay if she’s a little late.”
“People may leave,” Gabriel groused.
“No one’s going anywhere.” Lilly rolled her eyes, but she was right. No one would dare leave. They wouldn’t offend our family that way. Besides, this wasn’t a business affair. This was our mother’s birthday party. Lilly said she invited friends,truefriends of the family. Tonight wasn’t about sucking up to me or kissing Gabriel’s ring. It was about celebrating the life of Mary Theresa Calegari. Everyone who attended wanted nothing more than to eat some authentic Italian cuisine, listen to music sung by the best crooners of all time, and share the evening with a woman they all knew and respected. Nothing else.
“No business tonight.” I reminded Gabriel. We’d already agreed on that, but things tended to just “happen” whenever Gabriel entered a room.
He nodded. “I told everyone what you said.”
And there it was. Another reminder that I was the head of the household. I didn’t say anything else.
Lilly pulled her phone back out. “I’ll call her and let her know we’re stuck.” I ignored her as she spoke to the mystery girl on the other end.
“There,” she hung up. “She said everyone’s fine. Eating, drinking, and staying busy. Uncle Gino started limbo. She’ll let them know we’ll be there soon.”
