AllFreeNovel
Share Us
No one had died as far as I was aware, nor did I expect that the Capo wished to see me to give me a large sum of money. Therefore, that left the only reason for my summons today to be a power play—somehow, I was going to be used as a pawn in one of the Società’s twisted power games, and the thought of that made me shudder.
***
“Juliana, Cecilio, come in,” Emanuel Santino said in a severe tone, ushering us both into his office.
With only a slight hesitation, I walked forward and entered the office with my father at my side, tightly clenching my fists to stop my hands from shaking.
“Sit down,” Emanuel instructed. Neither he nor my father showed any emotion on their faces as I looked from one to the other.
“You’re probably wondering why I have asked to speak to you today?” Emanuel fixed his dark stare on me.
“Yes, sir,” I answered, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt.
I was sure that my father and I had been summoned here to discuss an engagement to Emanuel Santino’s eldest son. A union between our two families would send a message of strength to our rivals—this was a match that had been planned by our families for a long time, and today I was dreading that it would finally be formalized.
I tried hard to look the Capo in the eye while he was talking, although just looking at him filled me with trepidation.
I smoothed my dress over my legs, then stopped, knowing that fiddling with my hands and clothes irritated my father. He said it revealed my nerves, and that showing nerves was showing weakness.
After accidentally-on-purpose ripping the red outfit, I had changed into an elegant powder-blue dress, and my dark hair was held back in a low ponytail. I was nineteen years old now, and a certain level of style was demanded of me at formal Società occasions—and being summoned to see the Capo was definitely one of those occasions.
“Juliana, you will have heard that we in the Società are forming an alliance with the Fratellanza in Chicago,” Emanuel carried on.
I nodded. I wasn’t sure what the Fratellanza had to do with me, but I knew better than to say anything to the Capo unless asked a direct question.
The Fratellanza had killed several of our men over the last few years, and they were regarded as the most brutal Mafia organization in the United States. The Società were also Mafia, and while I was under no illusions about their illegal dealings, they were at least known to conduct themselves with honor; indeed, they prided themselves on it—honor among thieves.
The Fratellanza, on the other hand, had no such honor.
“Some of my Underbosses and Captains are insisting on a marriage between us and the Fratellanza. They see a union between the families as being a good way to cement the business arrangement and our ongoing relationship.”
As I listened to him, a sense of unease unfurled over my body, making the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.
“I have decided, therefore, that you should marry the Capo of the Fratellanza. Your wedding to Marco Marchiano will be in two months’ time.”
I managed to stop a gasp from escaping my lips. I was to be married to Marco Marchiano.
I was to be married to the most brutal Capo in the Mafia.
This couldn’t be happening, I thought, as panic engulfed my body and I felt sweat trickle down my back. Marco Marchiano murdered his own parents at the age of eighteen so that he could take over as head of the Fratellanza.
He was a true monster.
I started to feel light-headed. I told myself to breathe, just breathe. I just had to get through the next few minutes.
Emanuel turned to my father. “Your eldest daughter is the perfect choice for this union.”
My father tried to hide his surprise. “Yes, it’s just that I thought Juliana and your eldest son, Gabriel, would eventually marry, as we’ve discussed from time to time.”
“Cecilio, I am sure you’ll agree that the alliance between L.A. and Chicago is the more pressing matter at the current time, given the difficulties we are having with the Bratva.” Emanuel’s voice carried a clear tone of impatience as he referred to the Società’s ongoing problems with the Russian Mafia.
“Yes, yes, of course you are right,” spluttered my father. I suddenly wondered why I had even been asked to this meeting since my father and the Capo were discussing me as if I wasn’t here.
It was like my mind was in a fog. I couldn’t look at the Capo, so I focused my gaze on my father, while trying to ignore my racing pulse and sweaty palms.
“So, I have your agreement,” said Emanuel to my father. It wasn’t a question; it was a statement.
“Yes, certainly, anything the organization requires.” My father was as careful as always not to cross the Capo on any matter. Of course, I wasn’t asked for my consent. That was taken as a given if my father agreed, and he just had.
