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CATE
It was the day of my father’s funeral.
Despite my father now being a persona non grata, there was a huge turnout—because everyone wanted to gawk at my grandmother and me, wondering if we would break with the shame of my father being a traitor.
I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
My uncle, Uberto Russo, was at the funeral. He was my father’s brother. My father had no living sons, meaning that my uncle would take over my father’s position and become a Captain in the Fratellanza.
The service and burial were brief. After all, there was not much good that could be said about a traitor.
We returned to my uncle’s house for refreshments afterward. It was being held at his house because he was the new Captain. As people mingled, I hugged my drink closely to my body as if such a small object could protect me from everyone’s stares and gossip.
I also tried to avoid Alessio, which was difficult given his overbearing presence.
He was wearing a black Brioni suit and a black tie, the jacket hugging his muscles like a second skin. Brioni and black: the typical Mafia uniform.
Although his suit was obviously expensive, there was something untamed about him, and that sent a shiver through my body.
He towered above most of the other people here and I felt his eyes tracking me as I moved around the room trying to avoid the worst of the gossips. I knew that anyone I spoke to would later enjoy telling others about my every word and reaction. They would analyze anything I had said and break it apart to find any hint of upset or shame.
I looked around me at my uncle’s old-fashioned house. The furniture was dark and gloomy, matching my mood.
Alessio appeared in front of me as I stood with Nonna and my uncle. I quickly looked around myself, but he had me cornered and there was no way to escape him.
He looked into my eyes. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Like hell you are,” I replied.
“Cate, you will apologize!” my uncle admonished me. “That’s no way to talk to the Consigliere of the Fratellanza.”
From what I knew of my uncle, he was as much of an evil monster as my father was. I’d happily tell my uncle and Alessio to go screw themselves, but I didn’t want to make a scene today. And more importantly, I didn’t want to upset my grandmother any further.
The news that her oldest son was a traitor had devastated her. The Fratellanza had been her life. My grandfather had given his life for the Fratellanza, but that mattered to no one now that her son had betrayed them.
“We should talk now,” Alessio said to my uncle.
“Yes, of course. Cate, come to my office.”
“What for?” I asked, blinking rapidly.
“You’ll see,” said my uncle cryptically. When I didn’t move, my uncle added, “Come—now.”
We headed into my uncle’s office. He went and sat behind his desk, sitting back and raising his fingers in a steeple. He regarded me carefully. “Before his death, your father agreed to your engagement and marriage.”
“I…I don’t understand. To whom?” I asked in both confusion and alarm, my mind desperately trying to understand what was happening.
“To me,” answered Alessio.
“What?” I blurted out as I felt the blood drain from my face.
My uncle carried on. “An engagement can’t come as too much of a surprise to you, Cate. I know your father had spoken to you recently regarding the need to marry soon.”
“But…to him?” I said, looking at Alessio, my heart beating too rapidly. My mind flashed back to what he’d done to me in the garage block—he was a monster.
“Your father had already signed the engagement contract,” my uncle declared.
“But why him?” My voice was faint as my eyes darted to Alessio.
