Eros
“Well, with her gone, let’s eat, shall we?” Anissa gestures for everyone to sit.
I take the head of the table with Cara on my left. Helen sits on my right, with Lycus next to Cara, and Sophia and Anissa next to Helen. The tension is so thick and horrifying that all I can do is drink wine and glare at my cousin and my aunt as they whisper to each other, grinning and looking at Cara, acting like two catty high school cheerleaders.
Which isn’t so bad, all things considered.
At least they’re not trying to kill anyone.
Lycus talks to Cara about the diner and Helen gets involved. “I like Demetrios,” Helen says. “Very respectful man. Makes a great lamb gyro too.”
“They’re nice people,” Cara says, smiling. “They really welcomed me into their business and they’ve been good to me.”
“Old school Greek hospitality,” Lycus says nodding. “Helps that you’re attached to the lord here.”
“Easy,” I grumble.
“Demetrios is basically Eros’s biggest fan,” Cara says with a massive grin. “You should’ve seen how excited he got earlier when Eros spoke to him.”
Helen groans and rolls her eyes. “If they actually knew my brother, nobody would treat him like royalty.”
“Totally agree,” Cara says primly.
“This is going worse than I ever could’ve imagined,” I say and finish my second glass of wine.
“Oh, Cara,” Sophia cuts in once the first course is removed and the salads come out. “My mother and I were just discussing your… interesting look. Where did you say you were from again? Philadelphia? What a quaint little city. Are you Greek?”
“No,” I answer for her, and Cara glances at me, clearly irritated, but doesn’t speak up.
“She’s not Greek?” Sophia feigns surprise. “Then what is she? The girl looks almost…”
“Italian,” Anissa says, practically purring the word.
“Yes, Cara is Italian,” I say through my teeth.
“Oh, wow, what a brave choice,” Sophia says, putting both hands over her heard. “Marrying the enemy and all. I’m sure the captains will understand. Love is more important than the family, after all.”
“Sophia, enough,” I say sharply. “We don’t live in the old world anymore where blood lines have to remain pure.”
“Actually, she’s right,” Anissa says, her expression falling. “We can keep this little facade up if you like, but I know who she is, and I know who she left to be here.”
My heart pounds in my ears. I knew this was coming sooner or later, but I expected to have more time to work Cara into the family. But if Anissa knows already-
“Really, Eros,” Anissa continues, tone acid. “Not only is she Italian, but she’s the former wife of a Capo in the Pavone Famiglia. How could you do something like this? How could you spit on the memory of my husband? On the graves of your forefathers? On your entire family?” She shoves her chair back and stands.
“You will not talk to your lord like that,” I say harshly and stare her down. “Hold your tongue, Aunt Anissa, or I will have it stapled to your lips.”
“Go ahead, make threats.” She sneers at me. “You’ll do it too, won’t you? First you were a murderer, and now you’re a traitor. It should’ve been my son on the throne.”
“Your son showed his true colors,” I say quietly. Everyone’s staring at me. Helen’s pale and looks terrified, and Lycus’s expression is hard. Anissa’s on the edge of crying, and Sophia’s staring at Cara like she’s thinking about stabbing my fiancee with a fork. “Your husband and your son got what they deserved.”
“Go to hell,” Anissa hisses. “I’m going to make sure every captain in the family knows what you’re doing. When they hear about this Italian whore-”
“Watch your mouth,” I say and stand, anger coursing through me. “You may speak to me in that tone because I have nothing but pity for something as wretched as you, but if you insult my wife again, I will cut you down where you stand, you fork-tongued witch.”
Aunt Anissa rears back, eyes wide. “You’ll take her side? Over your own flesh?” She shakes her head slowly. “Finally, you prove yourself to be what I’ve always known you were. Sophia, come, we’re finished here.” Anissa turns and storms off.
Sophia gets to her feet. “It was nice meeting you, Cara. I hope you enjoy what time you have left.” She turns and follows her mother.
Silence enters in their wake.
Well, that didn’t take long.
Slowly, I sink back down to my seat. Cara’s staring at me with wild, frightened eyes, and I throw back the rest of my wine.
“That went well,” Helen says and grins. “Don’t let them scare you. They’re really dramatic.”
“Dramatic is putting it nicely,” Lycus says, but he’s still staring at where Sophia and Anissa were sitting moments before with a grave expression.
I can already hear the conversation we’ll have later about this.
I hoped I had more time to prepare. I wanted to make my marriage official before news spread throughout the family.
But I should’ve known better.
By sunrise, every captain and every soldier will have heard about Cara, and the real struggle will begin.