Carmine
At church, I can see that Arianna is giving Alessandro the cold shoulder, which she’ll undoubtedly be reprimanded for later. She’s normally feisty and defiant, but this is unlike any behavior I’ve seen from her before. I swear she’s looking for trouble.
I drive her back home, but Dominic and Sofia are in the car with us, so we can’t talk about her behavior. Dominic instead is rattling off to Sofia about his favorite baseball team, and she’s smiling and nodding, inputting her favorite players now and then.
While the family gathers out back for the large Sunday lunch that Alessandro is hosting, Arianna asks me to walk with her through the orchard. She does it in front of Alessandro, who doesn’t seem to read too much into it other than I’m escorting her for her safety.
We walk deep into the orchard. We can’t touch because children run through the trees, pick fruit, and play, but we can talk in quiet voices.
“Ari, you need to watch how you treat Alessandro. You’re not winning his favor by giving him the cold shoulder,” I say, glancing at her.
Arianna sighs. “I’ve always done what the family wants, Carmine. I’ve always put aside what I want and what I believe in doing as my brother tells me. He won’t give me this one thing. Does that mean I have to be loyal to him, but he doesn’t have to be loyal to me?”
I shake my head. “He’s doing what he thinks is best for you. He isn’t in a comfortable position; you must try to understand that,” I explain. “I’m not defending his choices.
I’m just saying that we’re not going to win him over by treating him like shit.”
“I love my brothers more than anything,” she says. “I just want them to love me enough to let me be with the person I want to be with.”
I keep quiet, and we walk past the center of the orchard, the bench we had sneaked off to not so long ago. We continue to walk. “I think we should tell my mother. I know we can trust her.”
I shake my head. “We can’t trust anyone yet, Arianna. They all hold this view of me that I’m just going to use you and toss you aside. I’m not proud of what I’ve done in the past, but I need to show them that I’m not my past self anymore. If you tell your mother, I’m worried she will tell Pa, and then he’ll tell Alessandro. Then we’re both in hot water.”
She sighs, and I continue, “Just sit tight. I’m trying to figure out a way to show them I can be trusted with you.”
She looks around. We’re at the far end of the orchard now, so she quickly kisses my lips and backs away. “Fine, but please be careful.”
“Let’s go back before they come looking,” I say gently, turning around and walking next to her. All I want is to hold her, to comfort her. To be able to hold her hand while I stroll around the estate, and although I won’t tell her, it hurts me that Alessandro doesn’t think that after all my years of loyalty to him, I would be faithful to her. I have always been treated as though I’m a part of the family until they considered I could marry into the family and actually be their brother.
The closer we get back to the gathering, the more children run around us. As we reach where everyone is mingling, Arianna breaks off from me and goes to speak to Sofia.
I get a drink and stand to the side, keeping an eye on everything. Ever the watchdog for the Sorvinos. This whole situation with Arianna has really got me wondering about whether they really are loyal to those that are loyal to them. I give myself a mental shake. Arianna has always been offlimits. That’s never changed. What’s changed is that we’ve made moves on each other, which complicates things.
“Carmine,” a sultry voice says beside me, “you get sexier every time I come over.”
It’s Bella, Arianna’s distant cousin. Her father is involved in the family, too, but in a smaller capacity. I glance at her. “Thanks, Bella. I hope you’re well.”
I move to leave, but she slides her arm into mine and holds me there. “Where are you running off to? I thought maybe we could sneak off together.”
Her speech is slightly slurred, and I frown. Retrieving my arm from her grip, I say coldly, “I’m not interested, Bella.
I have a lot going on.”
Bella looks up at me with a frown before going off the other way. I turn and almost spill my drink as Dominic stands right behind me. He’s eying me. “What was that about?”
“Bella’s drunk and trying to put moves on me,” I explain honestly.
“And since when do you turn down a free romp?” Dominic asks with narrowed eyes.
I snort, “I’ve told you a thousand times, I’m over the playboy lifestyle, Dom. Have been for ages. Time to update your opinion of me.” I pause, tilting my head to the side. “Funny, you and Alessandro used to be playboys. And now that you’ve both found women you love, you’re not. No one gives you guys grief about it.”
Dominic shakes his head. “We each have our place in the family, Carmine, you know that. You’re better off being a playboy and a mercenary than playing the doting husband. Don’t meddle with things you don’t understand.”
I frown. “I’ve been in this family since I was twelve years old. There’s very little I don’t understand about how this family works. I’ve always been a loyal brother to all of you-always. You have no reason to question me now.”
Dominic is about to say something, but Sofia comes over, “We’re bringing out lunch, boys. Find a seat.”
Dominic gives me a rather stern look, and my heart feels as though it’s been stabbed. Dominic has been my best friend for over seventeen years, he’s my brother, and I hate to feel as though we’re drifting apart. We were all very close, but Dom, Ari, and I were closest growing up.
We’d terrorize her boyfriends together and support each other. We always had each other’s back. When Romero asked me if I wanted to be a mercenary for the family, I didn’t hesitate to agree. He’s always been proud of me, treating me like I’m one of his sons. He would be so disappointed if he learned about Arianna and me being together. I don’t know how I would handle that.
For now, I go sit down between some of the male cousins. They banter with me about their latest news, and I listen with a small smile though now and then, my eyes pass over to where Arianna is seated near Alessandro. She’s talking animatedly to Katya, and I wonder what she’s saying. Should we speak to the women in the family and get them on our side?
I don’t know though. Katya is dangerous and powerful; she’d kill anyone who messes with her baby sister. That is what Arianna is to her, her baby sister.
I thought she was mine, but I’ve realized that what I’ve always felt for her is a way deeper love.
Arianna
The looming thought that I could be married off to someone I don’t even know consumes me. I can’t focus on anything else, and I just want to run away with Carmine and never look back. I know, though, that no matter how far we run, my family will find us. This isn’t the kind of life you can run away from.
I know Carmine is worried about Alessandro finding out, but I can’t help but think that my mom would know what to do. She always knows how to fix things. She always has.
She’s much stronger than people give her credit for. If I can get her on our side, she could convince my father, and then we’re pretty much on the winning side. I know Alessandro will listen to my father’s advice, even though he has stepped down as Don.
I don’t want to discuss it at home though, because who knows who will overhear us.
When I finish breakfast, I leave the dining hall and walk toward the stairs to go back to my room to mope about my current situation.
“Cup Cake,” my mother calls, and I stop and look at her, wondering if she’s read my mind.
“Why don’t we go get our hair and nails done? A full pampering session.” Helena smiles at me. “It’s been an age since we’ve spent time together.”
I smile. This is perfect timing. If I believed the universe gave signs, this would be one. “Sure, Mama, let me get into something comfortable, and I’ll be right down.”
I go upstairs and change into a pair of summer shorts and a tank top. I grab the purse I use whenever I go out with her and leave my room, almost bumping into Carmine. I grin and look up and down the hall before I peck his lips quickly. “My mom and I are going out.”
“She said,” he smiles. “Alessandro has something he wants me to take care of, so Carlos is going with you two.
Be safe.”
“Of course,” I promise, giving him another quick kiss before hurrying away.
I glance back and see him grinning at me stupidly, and I feel like I am falling even more in love with him. That grin, that body, the intelligent mind contained in that head of his, there’s nothing I don’t love about him.
I meet my mother outside, and we get into the sedan together. I don’t like being driven around, but my mother doesn’t like how fast I drive, so being chauffeured is my only option.
“I’ve been thinking,” she says as we pull out of the estate. “I know you’re bored sitting at home. Why don’t you study something like Sofia is doing?”
I try not to groan. “Mom, I have studied. I took business management at university.”
“I mean something else, something that can keep you entertained.” She puts a soft hand on mine. “Something that doesn’t involve you and the family business.”
“If Alessandro would just trust me, I could prove to him what I’m capable of. Everyone seems to think I’m an airhead.” I look out the window. I don’t want to make her angry, but at the same time, I’m tired of being treated as though I’m clueless.
“You are brilliant,” my mother says. “Defiant, caring, and so much like your father. We just don’t want you to get involved in the family business. This isn’t the life we wanted for you.”
“Then why does Alessandro want to marry me off? Why can’t I choose who I’m with, then?” I ask, looking at her seriously.
The car stops outside of the salon, and we get out. With all her charms, we walk in, and my mother speaks to the front desk. “Two manicures. I want my hair washed and blow-dried. I think Arianna can use a bit of a trim. What do you think?”
I nod. “And a blow dry.”
We’re escorted to two tables next to each other. While we wait for the nail technicians, I turn to my mother. “It’s unfair that I can’t choose who and what I have in my life, Mama. What if I find someone I truly love and want to be with them, and Alessandro disapproves.”
“He probably doesn’t approve for a reason, Cup Cake,” my mother explains. “He doesn’t just decide things for no reason.”
I fidget slightly with my fingers, and she notices.
“You’re not talking hypothetically, are you?”
I blush and shake my head. “There is someone I have been seeing that I know Alessandro doesn’t approve of. Neither does Papa or Dominic. If Frankie were here, I bet he’d have a shit fit too.”
“Who is it?” my mother asks immediately. “Who have you been seeing?”
“I’ve already said too much,” I try to backtrack, but my mother reaches for my hand.
“Tell me who it is, Arianna,” she says seriously, and for a moment, I’m scared of her.
“Carmine,” I say quietly, and I see a coldness in her eyes. I instantly know I’ve made a grave mistake.
“Mama, please. Promise me you won’t say anything to Papa or the boys, please. They’ll kill him.” I reach for her hand this time, but she pulls away.
“This is family business,” she says without looking at me. “I can’t not tell your father, Arianna.”
I stand. “No,” she calls after me as I rush out. I hail a taxi and give them the address to the estate. Carmine would kill me knowing I’ve left without Carlos, but I don’t care. My mother could be calling my father right now.
I try to call Carmine, but he doesn’t answer. I can only pray that he’s back at the estate and that I can find him before my family does. He needs to leave. He needs to run away and never look back. My heart is breaking with the thought that I’ll never see him again, but better than living with the knowledge that I am the reason he’s dead.
The drive feels like it takes forever before the cab pulls up to the gate. When the guards see it’s me, they let him through. I pay him generously and climb out, running into the house and calling, “Carmine?” “Carmine?” I call again.
I dial his number, and he answers, “Hey, is everything okay?”
“No, where are you?” I can’t fight the tears for much longer.
“I’m at the house, in the back garden. Do you want me to come to get you?”
I hang up and run out the back. I find him alone, having a cigar, and I rush to him, hugging him tightly. “I’m so sorry. You need to leave. You need to run away as fast and far as possible.” I start to cry.
Carmine drops the cigar and holds me, rubbing my back. “Who knows?”
“I told my mother. I’m sorry I thought I could trust her,” I sob into his chest. “Please, Carmine, get out of here before they come for you. I couldn’t live with myself if they hurt you because of me.”
I feel Carmine tense, and he holds me tightly, “Whatever happens, it isn’t your fault? Promise me you won’t think that if anything happens.” “But it is,” I sob.
“No, I chose to be with you. I gave in to this. This isn’t your burden. Please don’t ever think it’s your fault.”