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"Especially if theCamorraare behind the attacks. There is no better way to transform the bad blood than by arranging a match with one of their women." Seb holds Michael's gaze.
"So, it’s true then. The Mafia still believe in arranged marriages?" Axel pulls Theresa closer to him.
"We uphold royal traditions, more than the royal families of today; and you shouldn’t talk, youfarabutto." Christian stabs a finger at Axel. "You agreed to marry Theresa to further your own goals."
"I was already in love with her when I did. I simply didn’t know it then."
The men glare at him. Theresa digs her elbow into his side and he winces. "It’s true, Sunshine, you know that."
"Oh, how the mighty have fallen." Christian laughs. "Seems Seb’s suggestion isn’t that far out."
"It certainly has merits," Michael concedes.
"And you were saying you don’t want to be Capo?" Axel chuckles.
"I still don’t." Seb blows out a breath.
"You still want to focus on the media-tech based idea, and broach it with JJ and Nikolai?" He’s referring to Nikolai Solonik, the head of the Bratva and the third of the trifecta who own interests in Trinity.
Seb doesn’t reply. Michael glowers at him for a few seconds more, then jerks his chin. "Fine."
"What?" Christian turns on Michael. "You’re letting him step down?"
"Who do you propose take over as Capo?" Michael asks.
Luca bursts into the room. His shirt is torn and his nose is bleeding, but his features wear a victorious look.
"Got thosecarogne."
27
Seb
"I’m fine," I insist as I push the car door open and step out with Elsa in my arms. My arm hurts, but I ignore it. She fell asleep in the car on the way home, and no way was I going to wake her up for the short walk to our home.
After Aurora had stitched my wound and then dressed Axel's scratch—both of us had escaped with relatively minor lacerations—my idea of having Luca take over as Capo had been accepted by Michael. To my surprise, he hadn’t protested. Maybe he had anticipated this was coming? Perhaps my discussion with Axel had reached him before Axel brought up the idea at the restaurant? Although, I doubt it.
Since his marriage to Theresa, and since giving up his role as an undercover cop with the London Metropolitan Police, Axel had moved to Palermo, started his own security business, and was focused on building it up. He wouldn’t have had time to bring it up with Michael. Also, he’s not a snitch. He wouldn’t have done it behind my back.
Which means, Michael must have known about my aspirations. He must have sensed it.Stronzohas instincts which are sharper than a shark sensing its prey in open water. So, not only did he accept my suggestion, he also told Luca, on the spot, that I was stepping down and he was taking over.
Then, before Luca fully recovered, he turned to Massimo, who’d entered the room after Luca, and announced that he’s marrying aCamorraprincess.
Massimo responded by laughing and saying ‘no fucking way’ is he agreeing to that.
Michael and I exchanged glances, but we didn't push it. There will be enough time to get him to agree to this soon enough.
Adrian, who entered last, surveyed the silent crowd and asked what he had missed.
Elsa replied in a droll voice, "We are all stardust, baby."
Another one of her Keanu Reeves quotes, apparently. Not sure if any of the others got the context, but it seemed apt and broke the silence, and everyone laughed. She started laughing, only to burst into tears. I rocked her as she turned her head into my shoulder. I held her tightly, and to her credit, she managed to get control of herself very quickly. She apologized to everyone, and they all waved her off. We were all shaken up.
We all took it as a sign to break up the post-wedding party. It already seems like ages ago when we made the trip to City Hall and exchanged vows. Michael and the guys agreed that Adrian would drive me home, while the rest of them return to their respective places.
Adrian walks around the car toward me. He takes the keys from me, walks up the steps of my home, and nods at the guards by the door, who straighten to attention as we pass. He unlocks the door, and I precede him into the house. He slaps the keys down on the table by the doorway and turns to me. "You sure you guys are going to be okay? I can stay over in one of the guest rooms, if you want."
"I can take care of my own." I snort.
