LUCIANO
One week later
We both did not want to be here. Infact I especially wanted to be anywhere but here. But my hands were tied.
Jade had made up her mind concerning my marriage to Valerie. I have tried and tried to talk her out of it but she still was unwavering in her decision to get me married to Valerie.
What had come over Jade? I thought giving her a week would enable her to come back to her senses but with each day that passed by, she became only more firm and resolute in her decision for me to get married to Valerie.
As we both ambled into the Valentino mansion, the air held an aura of uncertainty for the both of us.
Damien was nothing but pleased to see me here. As if the very reason for my coming was inscripted bodly on my forehead.
“Luciano, Jade, have a seat please” He smiled.
We sat down, Jade moving inches away from me. Her action did not go unnoticed by Valerie.
A vain smile curled by the corners of her lips upon seeing Jade’s countenance.
Man that woman makes me so furious. This has just been her plan all along.
This has just been her plan all along. I can not believe how low she actually stooped just to get things done her way.
“Would you both want to eat anything? I mean we were just about to have breakfast before you informed us of your coming today” Damien smiled sheepishly.
Motherfucker. My hands balled and tightened as it settled on my thighs.
“Thank you for the offer but we have had breakfast already” Jade declined his offer.
“Oh C’mon now” He stood with his hands apart, “C’mon Jade. You can never come to our home and refuse a meal dear. It’s really not done that way” Damien grinned, sauntering towards Jade.
Anger boiled within me, my knuckles turning so white as my balled fists hardened even more.
“Damien..” I glared at him right before he could use a finger to trail around Jade’s face.
Sometimes he just oversteps his boundaries!
“Luciano man…”
“We came here to talk Damien” I gritted out my words, anger flashing through my eyes.
“Fine..” Damien rolled his eyes and walked back to his sit. “Talk”
Jade cleared her throat, her eyes wandering to catch my furious orbs before she began talking. “Well you all know what is going on currently. My husband is having issues concerning the transportation and sales of his drugs around the coast and southern America.
And we fear that his half brothers are currently planning an uproar in the mafia. We have been attacked multiple times back in America which was why we had to come to Equador. My husband needs your help, your territory and the influence you have in your own underworld to squash any threat his half brothers are planning.
But you have offered us a proposition in order to get your help…” She spoke the last words with so much hesistance and bitterness.
“Yes.. I have. Look here Jade…” Damien attempted to speak but I cut him short.
“Damien how sick can you be? You really do not see any thing wrong in what you are doing? We have been friends for more than a decade and you chose to behave this way?” I bolted up at once, Jade standing up with me almost immediately.
“Calm down” she softly whispered.
“You should really listen to your wife Luciano and calm down” Valerie smiled sweetly.
“Sit back Luciano and let’s discuss” Damien concurred to his sisters words.
Frothing on the inside like a beast, I quietly sat down back with Jade.
“Look Luciano the main reason I am offering my help to you is because of our friendship and for old times sake Luciano. You are the capo dei capi of the Italian mafia. Yes you are the don but I understand that sometimes it may not be easy for you to lead and not all will accept your leadership like your half brothers.
You need my help Luciano. Your brothers may be forming various alliances right now to overthrow you. You need all the help you can get to squash them.
I am not saying you should divorce Jade not at all. All I am saying is that you just marry my sister Valerie like how you initially planned on doing so…” his eyes locked with Jade’s as the words rolled out of his mouth.
“That will bond our families eternally and it will give me more reason to actually put in my all in making sure I help you secure your position as the capo dei capi. I hope you fully understand me now dear friend?”
“We do” Jade answered for the both of us.
“So what will it be? Are you in or not?” Damien posed the question at the both of us.
Time seemed to stop at that moment, everything becoming non existent apart from weighty question that hanged on the air, waiting for an answer.
Jade had her breathing become rapid, she was fucking nervous but she tried to compose herself.
“Jade..” I turned to stare at her, pleading with my eyes for her to think twice concerning her previous decision.
Jade shut her eyes tight before flying them open once more. I could see the firm resolution that permeated all over her features. “Luciano for the sake of your mafia and our lives” she spoke underneath her tremored breathing.
“We accept. Luciano will get married to Valerie..” her eyes drifted towards the triumphant features of Valerie. “As he originally planned before I came into the picture” she completed her sentence.
“Good decision Jade. You both will not regret it” Damien proudly stated.
“For your sake I hope so” I threatened with a murderous intent in my tone.
“Valerie can I speak to you privately” Jade requested.
“Of course. Please don’t be formal with me. We are now one family” she smiled devilishly, standing up from her sit.
I watched them both go, my eyes mirroring their steps.
I really hope Jade knows what she is doing.
* * * * *
JADE
“You made the right decision Jade. I must admit that I never thought you had it in you” Valerie eyed me whilst speaking.
“I really hope I made the right decision because it is obvious Luciano doesn’t want you in his life” I scowled at her.
Man this woman makes me so mad!
Valerie let out a cackle, “He will come to accept me. Just watch and see” she confidently replied.
Her words were so infuriating. “So what are you and your brother’s plan to help us thwart the looming danger in Luciano’s mafia?”
“Do not fret Jade” Valerie shrugged her shoulders, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “Now that Luciano has accepted to be mine, all your problems will be solved”
“I badly hope so. Else I’ll deal with you Valerie. I promise you” the words were like spitfire, hitting Valerie hard and causing to smile on her face to be replaced by a menacing glare.
But I could care less.
I just hope she and her brother keep to their part of the deal else, she will have me to contend with.