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“I’m sorry, I’m just finding this all very overwhelming.” She stands and grabs my bag.
“Let’s go for lunch.”
The restaurant Mrs. Guerra takes us to is only a couple of doors down from the dress shop. All the staff fuss around us the minute we walk through the door. A waiter pours us both some wine.
“Oh, not for me, thank you.” I put my hand over my glass. Mrs. Guerra bats it away. “Yes, you will. You need to relax.”
Ok then. A range of Italian-type dishes are brought to our table. We both eat in silence until Mrs. Guerra begins to talk.
“Leo was always a mummy’s boy. So kind, thoughtful, and caring. As a child, he loved to draw and paint. We spent our days together crafting and using our imagination. Leo was always the complete opposite of his brother Alex. Alex was always playing some sort of sport. After scrapping with his friends, he’d forever be coming home covered in cuts and bruises. Alex had an air about him that made people stop and pay attention. He bloomed at a young age. By 13, he had grown a beard, and his voice was so deep you would think he was a fully grown adult. Other boys looked up to him, Leo especially. The day Alex died, so did Leo. He knew he needed to step up. Since that day, he has been put through the most gruelling training to turn him into the man he is today. It breaks my heart that I have lost both of my boys. It pains me that my boy can no longer be his true self. My husband is dying. He is very weak. The Guerra needs a strong leader, which is now Leo. He needs a strong, loyal wife by his side. That is you. I will teach you everything you need to know about being a Guerra woman.”
“But Leo doesn’t love me. I don’t love him. Why me? Why do I have to be the Guerra woman?”
“Love is a weakness. He doesn’t need love. He needs a tough, strong-willed woman. Someone for the people to look up to and respect.”
“But what if I don’t want to?” Mrs. Guerra looks at me and smiles.
“Oh Katherine, you do want to. I see the way you look at my son. You just don’t know it yet.” She is so wrong. Cutting up a piece of chicken on my plate to avoid eye contact and the need to reply, I notice the chicken is undercooked in the middle, so I push it to one side of my plate. Mrs. Guerra looks at the chicken.
“Lesson number 1. Guerra’s are to be respected. We are the leaders, and people must be shown that. Send the chicken back.”
With a click of her fingers, a waiter appears at our table.
“I’m sorry, but the chicken isn’t quite cooked.” I say politely. Mrs. Guerra rolls her eyes. “Could we get a new one or cook this..” I’m cut off mid-sentence.
“Are you trying to poison us?” Mrs. Guerra snaps.
The waiter apologises profoundly; I feel extremely guilty.
“We do not apologise for something we have not done, Katherine. We don’t even apologise for something we have done, for that matter.”
“I’m not cut out for this.”
“It will take some time to get used to it, but you will. I know this is not the most traditional way of getting married, but you are only doing the inevitable.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve always wanted Leo. You loved him from the moment you met him. You’ve been to Italy many times in search of him. You have even learnt Italian for him.”
“How do you know all that?”
Guerra’s are very good at reading people. We have to be. And when that waiter apologised in Italian, you understood every word.” Not sure what to say, I let her continue.
“You will have a life of good fortune with the man you always wanted. The how’s and the whys of all this are irrelevant, Katherine.” We finish our food and wine while making small talk. She was right, I did need to relax, and the wine helped. “Now let’s get back to the dress shop and choose your wedding dress. I will have a word with Leo. He will not be choosing your dress; that is the bride's job.” Trying on wedding dresses is actually quite fun. Even though I don’t plan on wearing the dress, I pick out a beautiful backless fitted gown.
After spending thousands of euros on Leo’s card, we return back to the house. Me and Mrs. Guerra, or rather Maria as she has now insisted I call her, burst through the doors laughing hysterically and a little tipsy. I trip over the rug in the hall, not concentrating; just as my knees are about smash into the marble floor, strong hands catch me and pull me against their hard warm body, Leo.
Chapter 15
Leo.
Today had been a bad day. Recently our cargo has been intercepted and stolen while crossing the ocean. Many men have been murdered in the process. Today was our biggest loss. Twenty loyal men have been slaughtered for the sake of a million euros worth of Cocaine. Although it’s not really the product or the money value that interests me or the thieves; It’s the power. They have stolen and got away with the Guerra’s cargo. But not for long. I will have their heads on sticks. Unfortunately, we aren’t much closer to finding out who these wannabes are. But we have found out, whoever it is, is hacking into our IT system. This is how they get their information. I thought at first it was the Martelé. But after seeing the blood bath today, that is not their work.It’s too chaotic. The Martelé have been in this game for generations. They are organised and precise like ourselves. These people are animals. Now that we know where their information comes from, we have set up a trap. We will be waiting. I have the best IT specialist’s money can buy. I will show them nobody steals from the Guerra’s.
I’m furious; my mind is racing, and my heart pounding in my chest. I feel like I’m letting my father and the Guerra’s down. There’s guilt and frustration. But as soon as the front door opens, it disappears. Katherine laughing with my mother. They are a little tipsy, each with the biggest smile. My mother hadn’t smiled like this since before my brother died. Her smile reaches her eyes, and it’s a genuine joy. Katherine stumbles, my reactions are instant. I hold her in my arms as she regains her footing. My mother still beaming with happiness.
Katherine changes for dinner, and my day's trauma is soon forgotten. A black dress perfectly hugs the curves of her toned body. Something has changed in her tonight. She seems like she is flirting with me. She has sobered up since she arrived, but maybe it’s the alcohol. Her dress asks for attention. An intentional decision, I’m sure. I had wondered if I was a little harsh last night, but it seems all is forgiven—my mother’s interference, I presume. I listen to her make small talk while Alga serves our meal. Not missing her subtle flirtatious actions, I play dumb. When she pushes out her chest, I look down and take a mouthful of food. When her hand slightly brushes mine, I move it to lift my glass—her questions I reply with one-word answers. The frustration starts to build inside her. The amusement threatens to show itself on my face, but I manage to keep it blank.
“Shall we have a drink outside? It’s a beautiful evening?” Katherine suggests.
