By Luigi Salvatore

Hours later

“Do you really trust this family?” Guido asked after we left the Santinelle mansion.

“Trust is a very strong word. My father taught me that it takes a long time to trust someone, Guido. Only right now I have no choice but to ally myself.”

“I know! Don’t think I’m questioning your decisions, Luigi. It’s just...”

“Just, what is it?”

“Well, they were always your family’s greatest enemies. If I may say, they have always wanted to rob you, so much so that although you have control of northern territory, they have managed to become more powerful than the Salvatore in the commercial milieu.”

“Everyone knows that this happened in the time of my grandfather, Guido. But under my father’s command, the rivalry between our families became just a story to be contacted.”

“You know that until today I have a curiosity about how it all began.”

“Which?”

“Why at the time your grandfather allied with the Russians? We know that Russia and Italy never really got along. From what you have always told me, your mother was not regarded by the members of the Italian organization as a woman of trust. So why?”

“Well, I can’t say much with property when it comes to the Russians, after all, as you know not even my mother kept in touch with the family after she married Dad, What was really never really clear was why she made the choice to cut all ties, but what I do know is that it was a difficult time in business. My Italian grandfather lost morale in the region after the Santinelles took part of what he had, and my mother’s father lost control of the Russian mafia. They had no credibility, no prestige, no trust... they only had each other. Things actually only changed when my father took over and revolutionized business.”

“He was a cunning man, the great Enzo Salvatore. I never tire of thanking him for having known him. With him I learned how to attack my enemies.”

Hearing Guido speak of my father with great enthusiasm made me feel remorse for the way I treated him earlier. That man was one of the only people I trusted, he was also the man I adopted as a brother and I knew that all he wanted for me and my family was good.

“I’m sorry...” From the corner of my eye I saw Guido staring at me in amazement.

“I lived to see it. The mighty Luigi Salvatore apologizing... I think the engagement has already begun to do you good.” He joked.

“Do not make me feel sorry for having said these words.” He laughed. “This has nothing to do with the crazy woman I will have as a wife. Just... Damn, I shouldn’t have lost my mind with you.”

“Luigi, Luigi... always so impulsive, so exalted. You know that as a new capo, you can’t keep acting like this, don’t you? One day your thoughtless actions can give you serious problems and that’s what I really care about.”

“I will try to control it, but I promise you nothing.”

He laughed and shook his head in a disapproving sign, but from the years of friendship we had, he knew it was really hard to control my instincts.

“And Antonella?” Asked Guido.

“What about that devil?”

“I saw that you met. Incidentally, that I find warm, no? I bet you’re dying to see her enter the church and say yes.” I raised my eyebrow before the other one who laughed mockingly.

“Then he does not complain when he has my pistol pointed at his forehead.” He laughed, probably disregarding the idea that I would do that.

“You didn’t tell me if you thought she was pretty.”

“What does it matter, Guido?”

“I bet you think she’s pretty. Come on, tell me... do you think she’s pretty or not?”

“Guido...” Rosnei.

“Ah Luigi, what’s the big deal? That way I’ll think you’re in love.”

“You are provoking me.” I replied impatiently.

That subject indeed bothered me, after all Antonella clearly managed to make me lose control, and this was something new when in fact no woman could achieve such a feat.

“So that’s it, you’re actually charmed by the younger Santinelle. I knew!”

“But what the hell... It is Guido, she is beautiful, but she is also a devilish, who apparently has an unnecessary ability to get me serious. One date and it was enough to hate her.”

The fool laughed and made me not understand his behavior.

“I saw you two just now... She may not be the firstborn of the Santinelles, but you have to admit that the girl has strong personality and genius.”

“I confess that I am eager to watch the unfolding of this coexistence. It seems to be able to destroy any wall, my friend.”

“Yeah, she’s a very abused woman, that’s right. But it’s not like I’m going to surrender to her whims.”

I could have sworn I saw my friend get stuck so I wouldn’t laugh out loud.

“What was it?” I asked raising my eyebrow.

“You can even be a mafioso capo, without scruples and piety. But you’re still a man.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Antonella is a woman who easily makes any man crawl at her feet if she so wishes, my dear. I don’t give her six months to have her heart if she so desires.”

“What talk without place, Guido. Need I remind you that we are not marrying for love?”

“Love can happen over time, Luigi. I’m sorry about your marriage anyway.”

I looked at him feeling curious about that revelation.

“Sorry? Does it scare you that I’m getting married?”

“Of course I do. I don’t know what it’s going to be like from now on. I mean... how are the nights at the brothels going to be without you around? On second thought, there’ll be more girls left for me.”

I rolled my eyes with boredom. Of course Guido would think something like that. Aliá, not only him, but my brothers as well. After all, if there was one thing men like us didn’t want to lose so soon, it was single life. Even if we were married we could go to brothels and have nights showered with drinks and women? Of course! But it would not be honored, and in our family one of the rules that was most precious, was the respect that we took as a wife. Who dishonors the family, how can they honor an organization?

“Now, don’t be an idiot. Let’s get to work!” I answered by running away.

After we got home, I got out of the car completely ignoring Guido’s jokes regarding my marriage to Giuseppe’s daughter. However, inside I could only think that in a few days I would be married to the green-eyed blonde who entered my life like a hurricane.

By Antonella Santinelle

Days latter

“You should smile a little more. Those who see you from afar will certainly not think that you are happy with your engagement. By the way, shouldn’t you be with your fiancé? Have you seen the preparations that I helped your mother and Giovanna choose? Speaking of him, what a beautiful man, my God. Incidentally, not only him, but his brothers as well. What differentiated genetics. Can’t I marry one of them, too?”

My cousin who had arrived in Italy a few days ago, just to participate in the event that she herself classified as "the event of the year", was already making me dizzy, because she did not stop talking for a second. The truth is that Rita had plenty of excitement that I lacked at that engagement party.

“You talk too much, Rita. Can’t you stop for a while?”

I took at once the drink I had in the cup I was holding, while continuing to hear my cousin talking uncontrollably next to me.

“It doesn’t matter!” Rita shrugged. “When will I formally meet the man who dominated you like that? Antonella Santinelle getting married is something I didn’t imagine even in my best dreams.”

“Right now!”

I jumped up when Luigi’s thick voice sounded at that moment, making it clear that she was behind me. For a moment I think I staggered back, and I’m sure I would fall if it wasn’t for Luigi’s agile hands to support my waist with boldness. That pervert was still gonna kill me one day. If I wasn’t scared, I’d be full of hate.

“You’re not drinking too fast, are you?”

Without waiting for any answer, so little authorization, Luigi removed the cup from my hand leaving it on the tray of one of the waiters who passed by us. Suddenly I felt his lips close to my ear and in a whisper disguised as affection he said:

“By the way, your cousin is right. You should smile more and stay by my side. I don’t know if you remember, but we need to convince everyone that we’re radiating happiness with all of this here. Isn’t that what couples in love do?”

Son of a bitch! He knew how to irritate me, and worse, he also knew that there at that moment, I could not do anything about it, since it would be strange if someone saw me with a gun pointed at his forehead. What normal bride would do that to the man she claimed to be in love with?

“Ah, that’s cute.” I squeezed Luigi’s cheek, faking a silly smile. “I didn’t know I used to listen to other people’s conversations, my dear fiancé.” I approached your ear and whispered back: “Should I remind you that I am not in love with you, and that we are far from being a conventional couple?”

“Yet you are my bride. Get used to it.”

Ignoring my sarcasm, the bastard stepped on me and then faced my cousin with that gallant way that so irritated me. She who watched us with excitement, almost melted all when he smiled. And all I could think of was a thousand and one ways to pluck his blue eyes out.

“Won’t you introduce me to your cousin, dear?”

I rolled my eyes when I noticed Rita’s excitement, almost overflowing with excitement. It had been days since my cousin hid the desire to formally meet the man who became my fiancé. Of course, the weight of Luigi’s surname made him well known, but not everyone had a chance to get close to one of the Salvatore.

Against my will, I did what should be done.

“Rita is my cousin on her mother’s side, and also the oldest among us of the new generation.” I noticed the surprise on Luigi’s face, but how could it be different? We knew nothing about each other. “Rita, this is Luigi Salvatore.”

Maybe Luigi realized that I mentioned his name against taste. That’s why he made one of his jokes.

“Soon, husband of that nice thing here. Look how wonderful, right?”

Of course I knew Luigi was mocking, but I didn’t mind, I tried to focus on his kinky side that he didn’t make a point of hiding. I watched Luigi gently hold Rita’s hand and lead to her lips, leaving a delicate kiss there. Of course my cousin almost fainted at the same moment, after all, unlike me, Rita was the kind of dreamy and romantic woman, so only that gesture would be enough to paint Luigi as the best of parties I could find.

“Glad to finally meet you, sir. I never thought it would be possible for anyone to break the ice heart of this brown cousin of mine, but just imagine how I looked when I was informed about your marriage.” It was at times like this that I wished to put a boiled and extremely hot egg in the mouth of the gossip I had as a cousin. “Antonella used to be an extremely independent woman. She showed no emotion when it came to relationships. To be more specific, my cousin will never dream of marrying, and suddenly comes to me with a groom. It was too much emotion for this poor heart of mine.”

Of course at that time, Luigi was clearly interested in the subject. Which only made me want to jump off the first bridge I could find in Italy.

“Oh, I can imagine. She’s hard, isn’t she? But that’s because she hadn’t met me yet. Isn’t that right, love?” It was today that I would become a murderer, my God. In response I shot Luigi with my gaze, but he just shrugged and turned his gaze to an enchanted Rita. “We know when love surprises us. I think that’s exactly what happened between us.” Luigi caressed my hand with his thumb. “I’m sure Antonella didn’t have the strength to refuse what her heart felt so strongly.”

Wretched son of a bitch. God rest her! I thought to myself as I struggled to hold on to the will to choke Luigi Salvatore.

“Ah, but you must be magical.”

“Not so much.” Irritated me the air of conviction of Luigi. “Nothing that some declarations of love do not solve, is not it?”

I even wanted to punch Luigi at that very moment, but unfortunately that would be for later. As my bastard fiancé squeezed my waist, Rita sighed like a fool.

“When I find my date, I want him to be as delicate as you are.”

Hell, little did Rita know that there was nothing delicate, on the contrary, looked like a horse ready to kick at all times.

“All right, you guys have met, but now we need to go greet the other guests, right, baby?”

“Of course, my love.” Luigi answered me with that damn smug smile. I hate that man!

Without asking permission, I felt Luigi holding my hand as we walked among the guests who greeted us with a clear falsehood.

“I was curious about something.” I mumbled softly just for Luigi to hear.

“Tell me what.”

“Is this your vocation to be Synodic something that came from the cradle, or did you acquire over time?”

At first Luigi looked at me illegible, but soon he was laughing like a convict without limits. Of course he was attracting some people’s attention to us, and certainly those who watched us from afar believed that we were a happy couple who at that time shared some inner joke or vows of love.

“You really amuse me, Antonella.” Your arm went around my waist making me frown. “If you must know, it is one of my many vocations. Do you believe that I do not make the slightest effort?”

“Really?” Laughs mockingly. “If you didn’t say I wouldn’t notice, but let me just tell you something sweet... I forbid you to pass me off as a fool in love.”

“Or what is it?”

I hated feeling challenged by Luigi. Few people could easily irritate me while they were able to destabilize my emotional, but he achieved all this masterfully, and that was definitely not a good sign.

“Beware, my dear. Who laughs last laughs best, in the end it may be you who become a fool in love.”

“Me?” Luigi was amazed, but soon became serious. “Not even in his dreams. If you have something for which I was not born, it was for feelings, my dear.”

“Great! So we won’t have any future problems on either side.”

“So be it.”

We turned our attention to some ladies who approached us with the excuse of greeting the bride and groom, but I knew they were just curious to understand how Salvatore and Santinelle could be together living that moment. You gossipy old ladies!

“Boredom! I’m lazy, fake.” I grumbled next to Luigi’s ear. Well, at least I’d appreciate her not leaving my side.

“You don’t know these people who are here, do you?”

“Hardly any. Well, actually, just a few of those spoiled brats who flaunt Mafia Daddy’s money.” I made Face and for the first time saw Luigi laugh relaxed for something I said. “What was it? Do you think I’m lying?”

“No! Actually, I think exactly the same.” I was surprised.

“But I bet you behaved like that when you were younger.”

“Me? What makes you think such a bad thing about me?” He displayed false indignation.

“Well, today you are like the king among the uninteresting pawns on a chessboard, that is, you have always been directly involved with that world.”

“The mafia doesn’t define me, Antonella.”

“That means what?” It was impossible to control my curiosity.

“You’ll find out. Now pay attention to everything I’m going to say. I’ll make you know the mafia world.”

“Why? I’m just another woman born into a renowned family. I’m not even a firstborn.” I questioned with curiosity.

Luigi’s blue eyes connected with my greens in a way that impacted me for a few minutes.

“You are no longer just a woman. If I am a king on this board, you will be my queen.”