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The Alliance
Olivia
“So, what is your plan exactly?” Cecilia asked as she paced the cream carpet of the private living room in her black silk pantsuit. She looked nervous. She looked how I felt. But I was trying to hide my anxiety for Gio’s sake. He didn’t need to be worrying about me when he had so much stress to deal with already.
“We will tell him the truth. I will make it clear that I am with Liv and Max will marry Camilla to maintain the alliance. If Francesco is not happy with that, I would suggest Max becomes underboss.”
“And if they don’t go for any of it? You know how ugly this could get, Giovanni. Do you really think it is best to have Liv and Camilla here?” Her brown eyes flickered at me and I sat up straighter.
“I want to be here, Cecilia. We have a right to be. This is about us after all,” I glanced at Camilla who was sitting next to Max on the opposite sofa and she gave me a smile of unity.
Cecilia breathed in deeply as Giovanni leaned back on the sofa we were both perching on and threw his muscular arm around the back of me. “Mamma, try not to stress. You never know, this could all work out for the best and we may get what we all want.”
She scoffed loudly and shook her head. The door of the living room opened and we all tensed until we saw Elle strolling through, looking as beautiful and trendy as ever. She was wearing a mini leather skirt with a baggy black T-shirt tucked in and killer studded ankle boots.
“What are you doing here?” Cecilia asked as Elle walked past Max and Cami, giving them both kisses on the cheek before she came and sat next to me.
“Showing my support for my favourite couples, of course. You didn’t think I was going to be left out of the drama, did you?” she teased, and Cecilia looked at Giovanni for help.
He raised his hands up in surrender. “Not my idea. These three women come as a package deal now.”
I grinned at him over my shoulder as I turned back to Elle and gave her a wink.
“Sal is not going to be happy with this.”
“Cecilia, come and sit down. Relax. No one has died yet,” Max smirked as she paused her pacing to give him a death glare. She was so on edge and I can’t say it wasn’t making my insides curl at the sight of her out of character behaviour. Gio placed his huge hand on my knee and I looked down and realised my leg had been bouncing with nerves. His firm but soothing grip calmed me as he caressed my skin with his fingers.
“What’s all this?” The unmistakable and intimidating voice of Salvatore Buccini caused my heart to race. We all looked over at the doorway as he strode in with an air of authority and arrogance, his black eyes scanning each of our faces but resting on me. I gulped as I saw the pissed-off expression at me being here. “I didn’t call for a fucking family reunion Giovanni. This is a business meeting. All of you out,” he commanded.
No one moved, which caused his square jaw to tick with irritation.
“This business meeting affects everyone in this room so they will all stay. This is my house and theirs. If you wanted a private meeting, you could have hosted it at yours,” Gio kept his voice polite and calm but it also had an edge of authority. Challenge. I could now feel my heart thundering against my rib cage as the two most powerful men in the room glared at each other.
“Sal. Gio is right. This does affect us all. Please let them stay,” Cecilia stepped up to his uncle and placed her hand on his pin-striped suit jacket. His face softened ever so slightly as he looked at her.
“I don’t see how this affects anyone but Giovanni and Camilla.”
“Please. Take a seat and we will explain everything. Before Toni brings Francesco in. Please Sal. Hear them out.”
I couldn’t stop staring at Cecilia. I was in awe of this woman. Just moments ago, she was a nervous wreck and now she had that calm and stern mask on and was commanding the most control and power of this terrifying man. He huffed angrily but listened to her as he undid his suit button and took a seat in an armchair.
I finally felt like I could breathe again, but I knew we were only just getting started. Gio gave me a reassuring smile before he pulled himself up off the sofa and walked over to the mini bar in the room. We all sat in silence as he poured his uncle a dark coloured drink and strolled over to him confidently to hand it over.
After Sal took his first swig, Giovanni spoke.
“I understand the importance of this alliance with the Aianis and I know that it is vital we have their support going forward. However, I believe there is a way of keeping that alliance and still allowing us all to get what we want.”
“What are you saying Giovanni,” Sal hissed. “If you are choosing that nanny over your loyalty to this family, so help me God. You will regret it.”
I swallowed my fear as his molten black irises blazed with rage when he looked my way. I noticed Gio’s body tense, his back muscles rippling in that tight black shirt, but he kept his cool.
“Her name is Olivia. This is bigger than just me and my feelings, Boss. Yes, I am with Olivia and trust me when I say no one will come between us. But this is not just about me. Camilla is also in love with someone else.”
Sal’s eyes widened as his head snapped to Camilla. “I don’t see why I should care about that. This is a marriage alliance to benefit both families, not some fucking match-making mission.”
“But that is what I am trying to say. We can still keep the alliance and she can marry the person she chooses,” Gio stated calmly.
“Who?” Sal’s curiosity snapped.
