by Reilly, Cora
“I’ll talk to Orazio,” I promised.
“I’ll have a word with him today as well.”
“Don’t go all Capo on him.”
“I am his Capo, Val. I doubt he’ll ever see me as anything else.”
I nodded. “All right. Bibi is supposed to come over any moment for lunch. Will you join us or are you going to work?”
“I need to work. I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about.”
Anna hopped off the chair and rushed over to us, brandishing her drawing excitedly. “Look!”
Dante squatted beside her and regarded her artwork patiently as she explained every stick figure to him. I stifled laughter at his serious expression. I loved seeing him with Anna, how he tried to make her feel validated with everything she did.
Fifteen minutes later Bibi arrived at our mansion for a playdate. Luisa and Anna loved each other, a fact that made me deliriously happy. I was glad that Anna had one of her best friends living close by because she was always sad that she couldn’t see Sofia very often due to the distance between them.
I nodded toward the guards sitting in the car in front of our house who’d driven Bibi over. She didn’t have a license unlike me but even I hardly ever drove anymore now that I had kids. Dante didn’t want me to go anywhere without either Taft or Enzo, or preferably both anyway.
Bibi looked splendid in a formfitting wool dress with her auburn hair down as she strode toward me, holding Luisa by the hand who was dressed in a cute pink dress. Luisa looked exactly like Bibi as a child, a fact for which I was very grateful because Bibi didn’t need any more reminders of her dead brute of a husband. Holding Leonas, I hugged her with one arm then cocked my brows. “You look stunning. Who are you trying to impress? Now I feel underdressed.”
I had opted for comfortable chino pants and a blouse that allowed quick access to my breasts for nursing.
She flushed, looking around in embarrassment as if someone might overhear us, and I ushered her in. Anna and Luisa hugged then they rushed upstairs, probably to play in Anna’s room.
Bibi crooned at Leonas, pointedly avoiding my eyes.
“Bibi, spill.”
“You just gave birth, Val. You should be the center of attention, not me. I can’t tell you about my dates.”
I shoved her lightly. “Bibiana, you’ve spent years living in misery and had to listen to everyone’s happy stories. Now it’s your turn. Please, I need the distraction.” I really didn’t want to worry about Orazio and my father anymore. Then I realized what she’d said. “Dates, as in more than one? I thought you needed me as a chaperone.”
Bibi looked mortified. “I know… but you had Leonas…”
“And you couldn’t wait to meet Dario as soon as possible.”
“We’ve been only been on two dates,” she admitted with an embarrassed laugh as we walked into the living room.
“And?”
“He’s very charming.” Her cheeks turned even redder and she focused on Leonas once more. It was adorable how embarrassed Bibi was about her dating life. She’d never had a crush or been in love, so this made me deliriously happy for her. “Can I hold him? He’s absolutely adorable!”
I nodded. She took Leonas from me and rocked him gently, looking absolutely smitten. Maybe Bibi was getting baby fever again. We sank down beside each other on the couch. Gabby had already prepared a pot of tea and an assortment of Bibi’s favorite macarons. It felt like I’d been eating constantly since I’d returned home.
“Bibi, you’re holding out on me.”
She bit her lip then met my gaze. “I let him kiss me after our second date. I didn’t want to—”
“He forced—”
“God no,” Bibi said quickly. “I mean I promised myself not to allow closeness because I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression but then I just… I don’t know. He stood so close and smelled so good and it just happened.”
“So you kissed,” I said with a grin. “So what? You’re a grown woman. And you deserve to enjoy yourself a bit.”
Bibi shook her head. “You know what people are going to say if they find out I kissed a man I’m not married to.”
“Nobody’s going to find out and if they do, they better keep their opinion to themselves. Nobody deserves this more than you. So how was it?”
Bibi smiled. “It was just… wow. I’ve never felt anything like it, as if every part of me is melting. I had so much trouble pulling away.”
I linked our fingers, not able to stop grinning despite my worry over Orazio and the war. “Then don’t pull away next time. Who cares?”
Bibi shook her head, looking determined. “No. I can’t be selfish about this. I want Luisa to have the best future possible and I don’t want people to talk behind her back about how her mother had an affair.”
I squeezed her hand. “Dario is a lawyer. I’m sure he’s got his ways to be sneaky about it.”
Bibi giggled but then she became serious. “I want to do this on my terms. I told him I’d like to see him again but that we need to go slow.”
“Do whatever feels right. I’ll support you no matter what.”
I leaned forward and kissed Bibi’s cheeks. “But Bibi, you deserve some man-made orgasms.”
Bibi gasped then burst out laughing and I fell in, feeling lighter than I had in a while.
Valentina was usually the peacemaker in our family. She didn’t like the lingering conflict between her brother and father, but this time it was my decision to invite Giovanni over for a clarifying conversation. With the war getting worse, I couldn’t allow fights among my own men, much less my family.
“I hope they don’t argue in front of the kids,” Val said with a sigh.
Orazio was the first to arrive in the late afternoon. He looked as if he hadn’t slept much these last few days and I wondered if the problems with Giovanni caused him so much stress or if something else was behind his obvious exhaustion.
He shook my hand briefly and gave me a tight smile. I valued his work but we’d never really hit it off. He was as closed off as me, which didn’t really help to form a closer bond. “Congrats on becoming a father again.”
“Thank you.”
His expression became more relaxed when he walked up to Val and Leonas. He hugged her briefly.
“I’m so glad you could make it,” Val said, looking happy. Standing beside each other, it was unmistakable that Val and Orazio were siblings. They shared the same eyes and almost the same hair color.
“Anna!” I called. “Your uncle is here.”
Steps thundered upstairs then Anna flew down the steps almost stumbling and jumped into Orazio’s arms. He lifted her up with a smile. “Careful. You’re going to hurt yourself.”
I allowed him a few moments before I motioned toward my office.
Val’s expression pinched. “We want to have coffee and cake.”
“This’ll only take a few minutes.”
She didn’t say anything but I knew she’d give me a piece of her mind later. I appreciated that Val had her own head, but I was also glad that she knew when to keep up appearances.
Orazio set down Anna and followed me into my office. “What is it?”
“Where have you been these last two days?”
Orazio’s eyebrows rose slowly. He chuckled and shook his head. “First my father, now you? Why does everyone always interrogate me? I didn’t know I had to announce wherever I went.”
“Unlike your father, I’m your Capo.”
“So this isn’t just a friendly family visit, all right,” he said bitterly.
I gritted my teeth. “Just answer my question, Orazio.”
He met my gaze. He wasn’t overly nervous, at least not more than the situation warranted. He was angry, that was obvious. “I had a huge fight with my father two days ago then again yesterday morning. You know he can’t let it drop. Every time he sees me, he criticizes every single of my choices, especially my refusal to marry a woman he suggests. I’m fucking sic
k of it. I knew I was about to lose my shit on him and I didn’t want that to happen so I decided to clear my head. I went to a few bars, drank a few too many drinks, fucked a few girls… and now I’m here, Dante.”
“What bars?”
He laughed darkly. “The Voda and the Kamchatka. My father made it very clear a long time ago that he doesn’t want fellow Made Men to see my escapades, and nobody knows who I am in Bratva owned bars.”
I narrowed my eyes but I couldn’t detect a lie. “It’s risky for you to walk into these bars. Even if our war with the Bratva in Chicago lies currently dormant, that could change at any time.”
“From my looks, I could be Russian. Nobody questioned me.”
I nodded. “The main reason why I was trying to call you is that Rocco and I suspect a spy to be behind a few unfortunate incidents and since you’ve been working closely with the Famiglia, you might know who got too close to them or maybe one of their women and switched loyalties.”
Orazio shrugged. “Nobody comes to mind. The guys I worked with are loyal to you, Dante. I can’t imagine them to betray the cause. Maybe there isn’t a spy. Rocco can be a tad paranoid if you ask me.”
I had to agree but even without Rocco’s insistence I had suspected we had a mole. “Trust me, it’s not an idea I entertain lightly, but it’s a valid option and we need to be vigilant and find whoever is behind this.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open,” Orazio said. “Just tell me one thing, did Val invite our father over so we can make peace?”
“I did. But first, let’s have coffee and cake. I’m sure Val is impatient for our return.”
Val gave me a questioning look when Orazio and I walked into the dining room. I gave her a smile but I could tell that she was still worried.
Luckily Anna was eager for attention from her uncle and kept the conversation up with her chatter. Leonas slept in his crib in a corner of the room, entirely unimpressed by our conversation. He seemed an easy-going baby. I hoped this would continue into his teenage years but most boys had a phase of rebellion, so I was prepared for it. It either ended when the boy reached manhood or extended into their adulthood and turned to resentment or even hatred as it was between Orazio and his father, or me and my own. I wanted things between my son and me to be different, but Leonas too would feel the burden of being a Cavallaro and heir to the Outfit early.
The bell rang and Orazio let out a sigh. “Peace is over now.”
“Don’t be so negative. Please try to make peace with Papa. For me and Mama at least.”
Orazio nodded but his expression made it clear that he doubted it would work out. Giovanni and Livia entered the room, followed by Gabby.
“Do you need anything else?” Gabby asked. Since Val had taken it upon herself to school her, Gabby had become less shy around other people, especially men.
“We have everything we need, thank you,” Val said as she rose from her chair to greet her parents. Orazio and I stood as well. Anna had already dashed toward her grandparents and hugged one after the other. Her relationship toward my own parents wasn’t as close but they weren’t the affectionate types, and Anna was a child that needed plenty of affection.
Livia headed over to her son and hugged him tightly then kissed his cheek. “Why do you have to worry us so much?”
“Mother,” he said quietly but firmly, and pried her hands off his face. “Maybe you should ask father why.”
Giovanni’s face flashed with anger but after a glance at Anna who watched with wide, curious eyes, he only smiled stiffly.
“How about we have coffee first and afterward you two discuss whatever it is you need to iron out?” Val suggested.
“Very well,” Giovanni said.
The atmosphere at the table was frosty. It reminded me of dinner at my own home in the past. Luckily Val made sure that our family dinners were a pleasant, warm gathering. Anna and Leonas would never know any different, except for the few times they had to have dinner at my parents’ house.
Afterward, I led Orazio and Giovanni into my office for a drink and a conversation. I didn’t want Anna to see her uncle and grandfather fighting with each other, and judging from the angry look the two had exchanged I had no doubt there would be loud arguments.
I closed the door. “Keep your voices down. I don’t want the rest of the house to listen in.”
“I can control my impulses,” Giovanni said pointedly.
“Is that so? Did you control your impulses when you called Lucy a slit-eyed whore?”
“That was one time—”
“Twice.”
“And that’s been years ago. Don’t tell me you’re still hung up on that goddamn girl. For god’s sake, there are million fish in the ocean. What’s wrong with our girls? There are so many beautiful Italian girls who’re eager to marry you and you refuse them all.”
“Because I don’t want them. Stop pestering me with possible brides!”
“You must marry. You’re twenty-five. If you want to become Underboss, you need to be married. End of story. I won’t step down before then.”
“What’s my marital status got to do with anything? Do you think I’ll be a better Underboss because I’m married? Why should my men respect me only because of a marriage?”
I cleared my throat. Their voices had risen and could definitely be heard well beyond this room. “You don’t have to marry now, Orazio, but your father is right. At some point, you need to choose a viable bride at least. Our traditions are as they are and they won’t change any time soon.”
“And that’s good,” Giovanni butted in.
Orazio shook his head. “So if I’m not marrying one of the girls you want, I’m not becoming Underboss?”
“Surely you want to marry someone?” I asked, trying to remain calm even if their fury kindled my own.
“Of course, I want to marry. Just not any of the girls my father suggests.”
“As long as I take breath, you won’t marry an Outsider!”
I stepped between them because things were about to escalate in a way I couldn’t allow. “This is enough. You’ll have to figure out a way to get along. We’re at war. We need to stand together to fight the Famiglia. Petty family disputes are the last thing we need.”
Orazio met my gaze. “Allow me to return to Minneapolis and work for Pietro. I can’t promise anything if I have to stay in Chicago.”
“I don’t expect your promise, I expect obedience,” I said sharply, looking at both of them. “But for now, you can return to Minneapolis.”
Giovanni opened his mouth but I raised my hand. “This is a temporary solution. I want you two to work it out. You, Orazio, will have to decide on a wife by next year. And you, Giovanni, will consult with Orazio on possible matches. Figure this out, and don’t drag Val into this.” The last was said in a more threatening tone than I’d intended but Val suffered because of the escalating conflict between her father and brother, and she needed all her strength to take care of our children.
Orazio’s mouth tightened but he gave a terse nod. Giovanni sighed. “That sounds reasonable.”
“Can I leave now? I’d like to return to Minneapolis as soon as possible.”
“If that’s what you want,” I said.
“It is. I’ll say goodbye to the women and then I’m gone.” He turned and left my office.
Giovanni shook his head. “Am I too strict? I don’t know what he expects! He knows the rules.”
“Is he still with that girl?”
“No, he broke it off a long time ago. At least, that’s what he told me. I made my point very clear back then so I doubt he would have lied.”
“Maybe things will calm down once he’s married and he realizes it’s not the end of the world.”
“I hope Leonas won’t ever give you the same troubles.”
I hoped so too.
Eight months later
Bibi was a gorgeous bride. She was practically glowing. At her first wedding, she’d cried horrified tears in th
e bathroom after the ceremony. Today, she smiled and even though I could tell that she was nervous and a bit overwhelmed by the attention, she exuded happiness. Dario towered over her, dressed in a dark suit, his dark hair short and beard accurately trimmed. His expression was steel, a mask he’d probably developed as a lawyer for the mob.
Sofia, Anna, and Luisa were flower girls and looked adorable in their matching pink dresses. It wasn’t a big feast, only about one hundred guests and a celebration in the garden of Bibi’s mansion. To many people’s surprise, Dario had agreed to move into the house. His own penthouse wasn’t a good place for a family and his older brother had inherited the family mansion.
I tried to entertain Leonas, rocking him and singing his favorite song as I watched Bibi and Dario accept the congratulations of the crowd. Even Bibi’s parents seemed mollified by her second marriage. Not that those two had any business to shove their noses into Bibi’s life ever again.
Leonas squirmed in my hold, unhappy with being carried. It was early August and he was already quite mobile at eight months, pulling himself up all the time. He wanted to explore the garden on his own but with so many people around I couldn’t let him crawl over the lawn.
My eyes found Maria who was trying to calm down her crying two-months-old baby boy. Rocco was talking to Dante and my father near the bar, obviously unconcerned about his young wife’s distress. The girl was twenty and had not only been forced into a marriage with Rocco but also gotten pregnant almost immediately. It was obvious that she was overwhelmed. In the few times, I’d seen her since she’d given birth, she’d always looked close to tears.
I headed over to her with the still squirming Leonas and gave her an encouraging smile when I arrived at her side. “Hey Maria, are you all right?”
She nodded quickly. “Hello Mrs. Ca—”
“Please call me Val. No need for formalities. I’m not that much older than you.”
Rocco Jr. had quieted down in his mother’s arm, obviously fascinated by Leonas’ antics. An idea crossed my mind. “Why don’t you come over now and then so our boys can play together? Once they grow older the six months between them won’t be as obvious.”