80

GIO
Subsequently, her gaze shifted to Mathias. The subtle tensing of her shoulders betrayed a hint of fear in his presence. Such a sight, enough to incite a rush of protective fury within me, beckoned my instincts to lunge forth. However, Sebastian’s hand clamping down on my forearm-a silent yet potent warning-restrained me. I shot him a glance, now reliant on his intervention to prevent me from shattering the truce entirely.
Mathias seemed to possess an uncanny ability to delve into the depths of my thoughts, a notion affirmed by the subtle narrowing of his eyes. In a graceful display of chivalry, he gently grasped Millie’s hand, his lips bestowing upon it a tender kiss. The fleeting connection dissolved as she instinctively retreated, seeking the refuge of my side, her waist finding the warmth of my touch – a possessive assertion.
Amid the charged ambiance, Millie’s voice broke through, inquiring about the arrival of a cake that had seemingly slipped my mind. The caterer’s inability to establish contact with the bakery had led to this unexpected uncertainty. My astonishment remained concealed behind a gaze that locked onto her. Her exasperation surfaced audibly, contemplating the necessity of enlisting Dario, the designated driver, for an expedition to the bakery. Her proposition shifted toward her brother, a strategic move to distance him from the prevailing tension, an insight I couldn’t help but suppress a knowing smile at.
Karsen’s attention swiveled toward his father, who casually dismissed him with a wave, implying his presence was more of a hindrance than a help. Millie’s arm enveloped her brother in a protective gesture, her eyes crystallizing with determination as she countered the palpable strain. The suggestion for Karsen to accompany her was an unspoken strategy, a gesture calculated to remove him from the brooding atmosphere.
As their departure loomed, Millie’s gaze, filled with a mixture of reassurance and a promise yet unfulfilled, found its way to mine. The prospect of our intimate moments lingered unvoiced, a shared understanding that those stolen moments would be revisited later.
The conversation flowed like a current, now focusing on me. Pearce’s observation pointed to Millie’s surprising ease in my presence, defying the reputation that often preceded me. Mathias’s response was measured, emphasizing the inappropriateness of fear within the context of a marriage. The utterance sparked an unexpected chord of respect within me, an acknowledgment of the wisdom inherent in his words.
~*~
After the passage of several hours, my initial suspicions began to solidify into undeniable certainty. The unfolding of events led me to a moment of confirmation, a moment painted with vivid colors that etched the scene into my memory. It was Harper, the center of attention, who unexpectedly took control of the gathering’s atmosphere. In a display that could only be described as a scene, her inner turmoil regarding the impending marriage was laid bare for all unfortunate enough to be present.
Sebastian, a man of unshakable composure, absorbed this spectacle without faltering. He had always approached life like a grand game, every move calculated and every outcome weighed. In his eyes, Harper was just another piece on the intricate chessboard of his ambitions, and he was determined to claim her as the ultimate triumph. Little did he know, his perception was a mere illusion, a veil about to be lifted.
Yet, a premonition gripped me-an unspoken intuition that transcended the surface of events. The fiery-haired Harper, with her rebellious spirit, was bound to be a tempest that not only disrupted Sebastian’s well-orchestrated existence but also entangled with the threads of my own life. The realization settled in like a heavy mist, casting a shadow of uncertainty over my thoughts.
A fervent wish emerged within me, an aspiration that Harper’s stormy nature would spare Millie, the gentlest soul among us. There was a fear that Harper’s turbulence would ensnare Millie in its wake, leading her into situations she was ill-equipped to navigate. When it concerned her siblings, Millie’s instinct for self-preservation seemed to waver, overshadowed by a fierce loyalty and a willingness to bear any burden on their behalf. As the threads of fate continued to weave their intricate patterns, only time would unveil the destinies that awaited us all.
~*~
“What are your plans regarding Wilbur?” Sebastian’s inquiry hit me like a sudden downpour, forcing me to confront the decision I had been avoiding. The question of what to do about Wilbur had been lingering, a shadow in the back of my mind. Whenever Millie, my wife, had broached the subject, I feigned indecision, pretending that I hadn’t already made up my mind. But it was a lie, a well-crafted facade.
As with every passing year, the invite had arrived, an engraved reminder of the impending social extravaganza in the heart of New York City Senator Black’s highly anticipated Wilbur party. For countless years, the Famiglia had maintained a collaborative rapport with the senator, a relationship that underscored my obligation to make an appearance as the reigning Capo.
Swallowing the tension, I responded to Sebastian, my second-in-command. “I shall attend, and so will you.”
A furrow formed on his brow as he delved further, “And what about Millie?”
Ah, there lay the crux of the matter. Millie, my steadfast wife, was not just expected to accompany me; her presence was virtually obligatory. Yet, therein also lay the dilemma the presence of Alyssa, the thorn in my marriage’s side. The last time Millie had encountered her was the inciting incident, the moment that had set our world askew. Back then, I had coerced the senator into exiling his daughter to England, an ocean’s breadth away from the turmoil.
“She will join us,” I replied, attempting to mask the unease that had crept into my voice.
Sebastian’s concern emanated audibly, “That could brew up a scandal.”
I almost scoffed at his observation. Of course, I was aware of the potential for a scandal, but my concern wasn’t the reputation of the Famiglia. It was Millie’s feelings that weighed heavily on my conscience.
“Do you truly believe Alyssa won’t cause a scene? You never ended things face-to-face.”
In a rare display of vulnerability, I admitted, “What happened with Alyssa… It was never a formal relationship. It was nothing more than physical entanglement.” The truth, however, ran deeper than that. The rage within me had festered since I discovered Alyssa’s hand in slipping roofies into Millie’s drink a vindictive act that could have shattered our world. And were Alyssa not a woman, and more critically, the daughter of a powerful senator, my retribution might have been more permanent.
Sebastian voiced what I had considered, “But Alyssa might see things differently.”
My frustration surged forth, “I couldn’t care less about her perspective. She better ensure her silence and extend due respect to Millie, or she’ll learn regret firsthand.”
Later that night, as Millie and I lay in the cocoon of our shared bed, I mustered the courage to broach the topic I had sidestepped for so long. “We’ve been invited to the Wilbur party.”
Millie’s head lifted from my chest, a perplexed expression on her face. “And you’re telling me this five days before the event?”
I sighed inwardly, grappling with the moment of truth. “I’ve been aware of it for a while.”
Sitting up, she regarded me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. “Then why keep it a secret?”
I met her gaze, my voice carrying the weight of my confession, “Because it’s Senator Black’s event.”
Millie’s reaction was immediate, a surge of tension propelling her to leave the bed. Instinctively, I reached out, grasping her by the waist to forestall her retreat.
“Please,” she implored, her voice a fragile plea, “just let me go.”
I gently released her from my embrace, and as her broken whisper reached my ears, it felt like a piercing bullet aimed at my heart. The weight of her words hung heavy in the air as she slipped out of the bed, her delicate form moving gracefully towards the expansive window that offered a breathtaking view of Manhattan. Left alone on the bed, I found myself captivated by the sight of her naked back, vulnerable yet enchanting.