by Blue Saffire
“Lo, I’m tired,” she mumbled.
I unfastened her seatbelt, pulling her arms around my neck. Gently I scooped her out of the car. I closed the door behind me, with my foot and headed for the wine house.
I entered the big barn looking structure to see a group of men, sitting and standing around a table at the back of the building. I noticed that several of them rose from their seats, as we entered. At least six of the men headed in our direction as we came into view.
“Is she alright? What happened?” I heard Venny yell, quickening his pace.
“She’s fine. She fell asleep, she’s tired,” I called back.
Victoria began to stir in my arms with the noise. The group that advanced, slowed their pace and a few of them returned to their positions. I tightened my hold as she moved around in my arms.
It was a long walk to the back of the building. Our fathers, Uncle Mike, and Big Sal meet us half way. Big Sal reached to take her from me, but I shook my head.
I had her. I wanted her as close to me as I could get her. As if she read my mind, she turned her face into my neck, nestling it there and whispered my name.
“Lorenzo.” Nope, wasn’t letting her go.
“Hey, kid, do you think yous were followed?” Venny asked.
“No. I took a few detours, in the beginning to make sure.”
“Good. Did you find everything your Uncle left you?” my father asked.
“Yeah, about that. What’s going on? Why is Victoria being given guns?” I asked, irritated. “I’ve never seen mama next to one. Why would Victoria need to learn?”
“Your mother is no Victoria, Lo,” my father answered. “I hear she has a great shot, doesn’t surprise me.”
“I wanted her safe, Lorenzo. Victoria is different, she can handle herself. It was an extra precaution when you decided to leave,” Venny explained. “We’ve noticed yous two have been going through something. We were just hoping the two of yous would work it out before we had to step in.”
So our charade wasn’t working after all. We had begun walking again. I still didn’t feel like they fully answered my questions, but I decided to wait. As we neared the table, I was able to make out the faces in the group.
I recognized Uncle Fredo right away. Victoria’s Uncle Frankie and Uncle Terry were there on the side of her grandfather, Antonio La Marcello. I couldn’t believe my eyes, when I saw my own grandfather. I couldn’t understand what he was doing here. He hadn’t been in the states for years, or so I thought.
This was definitely bigger than I had been aware of. I wanted to greet the seniors properly, but I couldn’t do so holding Victoria. With much aggravation, I turned to hand her to Sal for a moment. That’s when I felt her press her lips to my neck.
“You can put me down,” she said in a sleepy voice.
“Are you sure? I was just going to give you to Sal for a second,” I whispered.
“Yes, I’ll be fine.”
I placed her on her feet and put an arm around her waist. Once she was steady, I moved forward to greet my grandfather who grinned as I approached. He held out his hand and I kissed the ringed finger he presented.
He then stood and kissed me on both cheeks. He held my face to look in my eyes for a while, then nodded in approval. When he released me, he turned to look at the beauty standing at my side.
I reached over to brush her hair back behind her ear. Away from her face, so my grandfather could see her full beauty. Victoria stared up at me, nervousness etched over her face. I winked at her so she would relax. She gave me a little smile and bit her lip to hide the nerves.
“Victoria, this is my grandfather. Giovanni Botticelli,” I announced.
“Nice to meet you,” she said, looking unsure of whether or not to use English.
“Very nice to meet you, Victoria. I’ve been hearing so much about you,” my grandfather answered. “You seem to have my grandson wrapped around your finger. I’m grateful to you. You’re saving not only the lives of your family, but mine as well.”
“I’m not sure what you mean, but Lorenzo is my family,” she replied. “Anyone that is family to him is family to me, and I protect my family.”
She spoke with such authority and assurance, it made me proud to have her by my side. At the mention of our lives being in danger, all the nervous tension left her. You could see her calculating the room, ready to defend and attack.
It reminded me of the day in the pool when she promised to kill anyone that tried to hurt me. I could see it, she meant it.
“Venny, you’ve raised her well. I can see her loyalty. Something I know my grandson has. He has just been spoiled a little too much,” my grandfather said, looking at me with the end of his sentence.
“Thank you, Giovanni. Victoria is my pride and joy. I count on Lorenzo’s loyalty to keep her safe,” Venny replied.
“My loyalty isn’t in question here. I know who I am. I don’t take that lightly. I’ve come to understand that I can’t run from my destiny, but I need to know what I’m facing. What am I protecting Victoria from and why?” I’d become impatient.
“Relax, Lorenzo, we will explain,” Venny tried to reassure me.
“I’ll relax when I have answers.”
I took a deep breath and went to greet Antonio La Marcello, just as I’d done my grandfather. “This isn’t just about the marriage, is it? For the elders to be here it can’t be.”
“Yes and no Lorenzo,” my father answered, then looked at my grandfather. “The elders will explain it better.”
“Please, someone get these two somewhere to sit,” my grandfather called in his hoarse voice. “Especially my granddaughter, she looks tired.”
I was surprised by how he addressed Victoria. It was obvious that the blessing had been passed and our union would happen. We were seated instantly.
Victoria leaned over to rest her head against me and I cradled her under my arm. When we were settled, my grandfather began to speak.
“This marriage between you two will be one of the most important the families have had in years. You two carry more meaning than you understand. You will be reassuring the strength of the La Marcello and Botticelli families’ alliance.
“There are those who know our secrets and want to stop this union from happening. Once the two of you are married, the other families will stand by that and they’ll protect the way things are. But if we show there is a weakness.
“If it looks like the two of you aren’t going to marry or that Victoria will not take the name of Botticelli from any male heir. They will seek to slaughter our entire families. Lorenzo, you have been chosen because of your unique blood.
“Your parents weren’t chosen, but you were a great gift to the family. We have kept your true blood a secret for as long as we could. And Victoria, it seems that fate was working to give us this gift of strength with your unique entry into the La Marcello family.
“Venncesso’s marriage to Maria was to protect tradition and the strength of the Botticelli name. Maria was chosen at birth. Her family was loyal and her father understood the meaning of this tradition.
“The reward for his loyalty, serviced their family well. If Maria would’ve mothered Venncesso’s children what the Botticelli family desires wouldn’t have worked, we wouldn’t be able to complete this union.
“Maria’s misfortune has provided us an opportunity. The problem now is that the other families thought they had a chance to take the top families down. They didn’t know that Victoria existed.
“We didn’t want that fact known. However, the incident with Venncesso’s temper exposed the La Marcello secret a little too early, which causes a few problems. I’ve met with the other families, those that were willing and most important.
“They have agreed to honor Victoria as the La Marcello heir that she is. However, there’re conditions they have set. One is that they’ll still not step in until Victoria is a Botticelli.
“Lorenzo, we didn’t want to put yous two in danger if y
ou choose to ignore the truth of the family. If they see you have no respect for the way things are done, they’ll not see the union. We couldn’t chance letting you marry Victoria if you would deny us.
“She wouldn’t belong to you. We would have to choose another to save our lives. This is why we’ve waited for you to accept who you are.
“You two will be the youngest arrangement, since my great-great-grandfather’s time, but that is because the challenging families have forced our hand. We can’t wait with them knowing Victoria can keep us in power. They know that you will give the Botticelli name even more strength, we must act.
“Venny has done well with this young lady. We didn’t make the decision lightly. It’s her strength and loyalty that made the decision to marry you so young. Times have changed wives were never told the true nature of the arrangements, but you will need her to be aware.
“It is her life they want. If they can take her, they can take our future. You mean nothing without her. But until they get her or until your union happens, we’re all in danger.
“The other families must see the two of you are united and will marry. My family has seen the fall of two families that didn’t fulfill the tradition. The weaker families eliminated the strongest one and reduced the second family to almost nothing.
“We will not let that happen to either of our families. So here, my grandson, is where your true test lies. Can you and will you keep her alive for the lives of your family and hers?
“Lorenzo, we ask a lot of you, but this has become a unique situation. The other families don’t like the way Victoria has become an option. Maria not giving Venncesso a daughter or son has presented an issue.
“The families are demanding that upon your union the two of you present an heir. They feel that will reinforce the tradition and insure this type of thing does not happen again.
“For the most part, the families want to keep things peaceful. Establishing two new families, causes wars and losses no one wants. It’s better to keep things the way they are.
“They have gone after Victoria’s mother hoping to cause other problems for the La Marcello’s. As well as, in hopes to draw Victoria out. They’re not sure where to find her.
“Maria’s anger has proved to be another gift in our favor. The estates aren’t known information outside the families. The extra security at the houses has been just a precaution.
“We have a feeling there is a disloyal member among us. Someone who doesn’t know everything about the two of you. Not as connected as they would have to be to know the right things.
“It’s a good thing you have chosen to stay away from the family business the way you do Lorenzo. Victoria’s growing up a secret has played its part as well.” My grandfather looked the two of us over and nodded in approval for the second time.
I was outraged, confused, and completely beside myself with the need to protect Victoria. They were out to kill her to keep our families from remaining in power. He was right.
I did mean nothing without her, but not the way he meant. What was so special about my blood? So, Maria was a real aunt? She was a Botticelli?
What was so secret about me? I needed to put this all together. It was important to understand, so I could protect Victoria.
I looked down at her expecting to see the same puzzlement I felt. Instead, Victoria looked as if she had just solved a puzzle. Her expression was clear. It was apparent she understood all that was said.
I felt a little stupid, how did I miss it? I played his words over in my head and I still couldn’t force it to make complete sense, but somehow, I knew she had. I began to think of the right questions to ask, when Victoria began to ask her own.
“How could you keep this from Lorenzo? She loved you, she’s his mother,” she asked.
I was stunned. What was she talking about? I guess I was wrong, she didn’t figure it out. My mother was Sharon Botticelli, the woman I got my calm side from.
What made her say that? What did she think they were keeping from me? When I looked at my grandfather’s face, a grin covered it, as if she were right. As if she said the right thing. What did I just miss?
“Yes, Venny and Alfonzo were right about you. Your grandfather sensed it on you the moment he met you. You will do my grandson well,” he replied.
I know my mouth had to be hanging open. I grow up my whole life thinking that Sharon was my Mother. She was all I ever knew.
How could this be? Then who in the world is my mother? What did Victoria know that I didn’t?
I was already enraged by the families’ requests, now I had to deal with this. This was turning into a very long and nauseating day. How in the world did she get that from what was said?
“I don’t understand. Why didn’t she just marry him? Why didn’t they just find someone else to fulfill the promise. She wasn’t important?” Victoria asked.
“Lorenzo should’ve never been conceived, but Alfonzo is much like his son. He does what he wants. He didn’t know she was off limits. We kept her a secret much like we tried to with you,” my grandfather said.
I had no clue what they were talking about. Who is she? So, did I not know my mother? It was obvious that Victoria had pieces to this story that I didn’t, but someone was going to give them to me fast. I was becoming irate.
“Would someone please explain what the two of you are talking about? If Sharon isn’t my mother who is?” I spit through my teeth.
“Mr. Botticelli, may I? I would like to see if I understand this right. Please correct any part that I may have incorrect,” Victoria said, as she reached for my hand.
I looked down at her, curious to see how much she knew. I wanted to see what she had been keeping from me. I started to understand how she felt to be lied to and have everyone know the truth but me. Victoria looked at me as if she could feel my pain and understood the thoughts racing through my head.
“Victoria, I’m interested to see how much you know. Go right ahead. It may even be easier for him to hear it from you,” my grandfather answered.
She nodded and locked her eyes on mine. “You’re the son of two Botticellis, Lorenzo. Your mother is Maria. She had you before she and my father were married and something happen for her not to be able to have children after you were born,” she paused to see if I understood. When I nodded she continued.
“Your father has raised you as Sharon’s son, all these years to hide what happened with him and Maria. She was promised to the La Marcellos from birth. The two of them didn’t know better, but they were in love. Maria is loyal. She did what the family needed, not what she wanted.
“What makes you so special, what make us a threat, is that you carry twice the Botticelli bloodline. That gives your children more right to the La Marcello heirs. Our children would be the strongest ties ever made.
“My mother not being a Botticelli is what allows this. If Maria had my father’s children you wouldn’t be an option, the blood you carry would be lost for the purpose the families want. They want to kill me because I’m the only girl that can fulfill the tradition.
“The only girl to a male heir. It’s easy to come after me. I wouldn’t know to protect myself or what they were after, so they think. Ending it with me, ends both families,” she explained.
“You’re very well informed,” my grandfather told her.
“Wow, Victoria, I think I know how you felt now to be lied to. How long have you known all this?” I growled.
“I just fit the pieces together. Maria told me about how the arrangements work. She also told me her story, the night I figured out the promise. The way she talked around parts of the story made what was just said makes sense.
“It all makes sense, Maria said, ‘our family had secrets’ not our families. I think a lot faster when I’m trying to protect someone,” She tried to make light of things, smiling up at me.
“The fuck,” I closed my eyes to think. “Wait, but you’re my step sister. How are you so calm about this?”
“I’m still processing that one. Technically, we’re not blood related. I’m working on how I feel about that,” she answered, with wrinkled brows.
“Aw, this is crazy. The two of them had to be related by blood somehow. What were you thinking?” I asked my father.
“Lorenzo, they didn’t know they were related,” my grandfather interrupted. “Maria was raised as a Pascoli. We never thought this would happen. Alfonzo knew he was to pick from the girls that were groomed to marry someone in his shoes.”
“Well, why have I never known my mother? I have been given other secrets, why keep this one? I agree with Victoria.
“If Maria was good enough for a La Marcello, why couldn’t someone else be picked for Venny? You could have just married my mom and did the right thing if you loved her,” I hissed at my father.
“You don’t understand, Lorenzo. I loved your mother very much. I had no idea who she was. Her father was like Venny, he didn’t want her dating, so we snuck around.
“When she found out she was pregnant with you, I knew I was next in line to run the family. I knew I would be able to care for the two of yous. I went straight to her father to ask for her hand.
“I knew my name alone made me desirable to most fathers as a choice for their daughters, but the way he looked at me. He knew who I was the moment he laid eyes on me. When we told him about you and what we planned to do, he lost it.
“He started to call Maria all kinds of names, yelling at her for disgracing the family. I wanted to kill him.” My father had rage set in his eyes, as he spoke and looked passed me, as if he were watching the whole scene play out again.
“When he saw the way I looked at him, he begged me to wait. ‘Alfonzo please, please, wait right here. I want you to see.’
“He left the room and returned with a photo album in one hand, pulling Maria’s mother along with the other. I understood at once. Maria had been dying her hair blonde for as long as I have known her.
“The color washes out the features I would have noticed if it were black the way it should be. But her mother, she stared back at me with my own grey eyes. Something I never noticed on Maria because of the blue that tainted our true grey. Her mother wore the same jet black hair as mine and she had the same mouth and nose you and I share, Son.