4. Elio

4

ELIO

I take a deep breath as I walk into the dining room, Lana and Matteo already seated at the table. Ava Rinella, my fiancée, and her father sit across from them. Her piercing green eyes watch me. Is she happy with the match? Is she afraid? I can be a brutal, callous man, but not usually toward women. I offer her a smile that I hope will put her at ease.

I take my seat at the head of the table, with Ava to my left. The opulent room is filled with an undercurrent of tension that sets my nerves on edge, which is unusual for me. This arrangement has been a part of my life for years. I've been dealing with Vincenzo Rinella for years as well. I understand him and how he works. So why am I agitated? The only answer is Piper. My mind is still reeling from my encounter with her. In some ways, I wonder if it was real. After all these years, to run into her at the bank.

"I hope you're ready for a full Italian meal. Seven courses," I say with a nod to Gio, one of the servants who'll be serving us tonight.

Ava offers me a polite smile. "I've heard about your famous D'Amato dinners."

"Good to know someone is saying something complimentary about the D'Amato family."

Lana rolls her eyes at my attempt at humor.

As the servants begin to serve the first course, I force myself to focus on the task at hand. I need to be present, to play the part of the dutiful fiancé, even as my heart yearns for the woman I let slip away all those years ago. I thought I'd moved on, but seeing Piper today proves that wrong. I haven't moved on. I'd buried my feelings, and seeing her today unearthed them. They're back in full force. Longing fills my chest. Longing and questions. Why did she leave? The only answer is her parents moved her away. But was the move for her parents or were they trying to get her away from me? The total lack of contact once she left suggests her parents disapproved of me. And why wouldn't they? My world is full of danger.

Vincenzo's voice cuts through the silence, drawing my attention back to the table. "So, Elio, Caruso has been saying good things about you."

I study him, trying to decide whether he's jealous or impressed that The Outfit's Boss has taken notice of me. What many don't know is Chicago organized crime runs a bit differently from New York. Since Al Capone, there has been one major "family" known as The Outfit. We're organized by areas, but all areas feed up to The Outfit, run by a single Boss, Caruso, along with an underboss, and street bosses, which I and Rinella are. Another secret is that like in New York, the Mafia has seen a decline… or has it? In Chicago, we learned a long time ago that we make more money and are less likely to get arrested if we lie low, hide in plain sight, and don't kill so much. Not that we don't kill if necessary. We're just more clever at it than our bloodthirsty gangster ancestors.

I nod, taking a sip of my wine. "It's nice to be noticed." I'm still young, but my father at one time was in line to take over The Outfit, before he and my mother unexpectedly died in a freak car accident. I know if I'm as smart as my father was, I have a future as a leader in The Outfit.

"I'm sure your father would be proud."

I still can't read his meaning. Is he hoping that with this marriage, I'll pull him with me? Is he annoyed that at a young age, I'm on Caruso's radar?

"Yes, it's been a lot of work, but I'm honored to carry on his legacy." I pause, choosing my next words carefully. "And of course, I'm looking forward to our upcoming nuptials. It's a union that will only strengthen both of us."

Vincenzo nods. "I'm sure it will. Ava will make you a good wife. She's been raised to serve her husband and The Outfit."

Lana hides her disgust behind a sip of wine.

"Surely, there's more to her than that," I say, earning a smile from Lana. "Do you have any interests? Hobbies?"

Ava glances at her father as if she needs permission. It proves his comment that she's been raised to be subservient.

"She cooks," Vincenzo says.

"Of course she does," Lana quips. "We have an excellent cook." She gestures to her plate. We're on the antipasti course of prosciutto and cheese, no cooking involved.

"Do you have interests and hobbies?" Ava asks me.

My mind instantly flashes to Piper. She's my only interest at the moment. I clear my throat, forcing myself to refocus on the conversation. "I'm afraid my work with the business does consume a great deal of my time and energy." I offer her a small smile, hoping it comes across as sincere.

Matteo shifts in his seat, drawing my attention. "Don't sell yourself short, Elio. You've also got quite the talent for fine wine and art."

I nod, grateful for Matteo's intervention. "Yes, those are passions of mine as well."

Ava's brow furrows slightly, and I can't help but wonder what she's thinking. "How… interesting. I must admit, I don't know much about art and wine?—"

"You can teach her," Vincenzo interrupts, earning another hidden glare from Lana.

I give her a look. It's not like our father wasn't the same as Vincenzo. She knows how this world works.

As the meal progresses, we continue to exchange conversation, although it often feels forced. I do my best to play the part of the attentive, devoted fiancé, but my mind keeps drifting back to Piper, to the way her eyes had blazed with a mix of anger and something else I couldn't quite place.

I catch Matteo's gaze. His brows are furrowed as if to ask what's up with me. I smile and turn my attention back to my guests.

"So, Ava. Tell us a bit more about yourself. What are your aspirations, your hobbies? I'm sure a woman of your stature has plenty of interests beyond just managing a household."

Both Matteo and I send her a look to tread carefully.

Ava shrugs. "I do enjoy cooking. I don't know art very well, but I enjoy going to museums."

I have no doubt these are talking points given by her father.

"You have an usual necklace on," Matteo says, surprising me. I glance at the necklace wondering why it stands out.

Ava presses her hand over it and smiles. "I made it."

"Really?" He studies it more. I clear my throat thinking it's not a good idea for my second in command to be staring at her chest.

"Yes."

"Of course, there won't be time for all that when you're married." Vincenzo shakes his head at his daughter. "This is a big home. You'll be busy."

"I'm sure we can set up space and time for crafting, can't we, Elio?" Lana says to me.

"Of course."

"We should get this wedding planned," Vincenzo says firmly. He continues on, emphasizing the strategic benefits of solidifying the D'Amato-Rinella alliance through my marriage to Ava. But thinking of marriage to Ava brings up memories of Piper.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lana studying me, her brow furrowed with concern. Once again, I try to refocus.

"I say we get it done. With our contacts, there's no reason why we can't have this wedding in… say… two weeks."

I try to hide my surprise. Two weeks! That fast?

I glance at Ava, who is watching me intently. Like her father, I can't read her. Can she tell that my commitment to this arrangement is wobbling? Before today, I was one hundred percent on board with this marriage. But now, with Piper's sudden reappearance in my life, I'm not so sure.

Matteo clears his throat, drawing my attention. "Elio, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

"What are your thoughts, Ava?" I ask.

Ava's lips curve into a small smile. I think she appreciates someone asking for her input. "Well, I've always envisioned a grand, traditional Italian wedding. With all the trimmings, of course."

I return her smile, letting her know that's what I want too. The problem is, I want it with Piper. But planning a big wedding takes time, months, maybe even a year, which can give me time. "We should do that, but it will take more than two weeks."

"Nonsense." Vicenzo waves my comment away. "Like I said, between our contacts, we can arrange something quickly."

"The D'Amatos do know how to throw a party," Lana adds, earning her a glare from me.

"Two weeks it is," Vincenzo announces.

I can push back on this, but decide now isn't the time. We finish dinner, and I'm eager to have Vincenzo and Ava leave. It takes work to shmooze and I'm exhausted.

As we head to the foyer to say our goodbyes, Vincenzo says, "You seem distracted. Is everything alright?"

I know he doesn't give a shit about me. He's concerned about this alliance. He's either worried that I'm fucking up and the marriage won't gain him anything, or that I'm rethinking the marriage.

I pat him on the back. "Everything is fine, Vicenzo. Just tired, is all."

"You know how important this alliance is. We cannot afford any… distractions."

"I understand. I assure you, my focus is where it needs to be."

Vincenzo studies me for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "See that it remains that way, Elio."

I tense, wanting to remind him that he's in my house and precariously close to disrespecting me with his tone.

Matteo shakes his head at me. I bite my lip. For now.

"Have a good evening, Ava." I give her a kiss on the cheek. "Vincenzo." I shake his hand.

When they leave, I go to my office and pour a stiff drink. The future of the family. My future with Ava. It's all resting on my ability to put the past behind me and focus on the task at hand. But how can I when the woman who's haunted my dreams for the last eight years has suddenly reappeared in my life?

I let out a frustrated sigh, my mind racing with a thousand different thoughts and emotions. I need to get a handle on this, to regain control of the situation before it spirals out of my grasp.

Matteo materializes in the doorway, his brow furrowed with concern. "He's right, you know. You seem off."

Lana enters behind him.

I down my drink. "Long day, that's all."

"Doing what?" Matteo asks. He knows my schedule and therefore knows there wasn't anything challenging on it.

"Just life." I can't tell them about Piper. They won't understand.

"We can't afford to mess this up," Lana says.

I shrug. "We don't need them."

She glances at Matteo, her expression asking him to talk sense into me.

Matteo studies me. "Maybe not, but you'd be a fool to think you have the inside track to Caruso. You're still young, mostly unproven. This alliance gives you more power. Besides, if you don't marry her, he'll send her off to Bianchi and she certainly deserves better than that old mother fucker."

I arch a brow. "You care about what happens to Ava Rinella?"

He clears his throat. "Sure. She's a nice kid."

"You're missing the point," Lana interrupts. "We lost our parents, and Lazaro." She refers to our brother, her twin. "This family is dwindling down to nothing, and I bet it's not by accident."

"We don't know that Lazaro is dead," I say, although I'm sure he is. There's no way my impulsive man-child of a brother who is quick to draw but slow to listen wouldn't be causing a stir if he were still alive. But since we've never found his body, Lana insists that he's still alive somewhere. "And Mom and Dad were in a car accident."

She glares at me. "No one suffers that sort of loss?—"

"Families like yours do," Matteo interrupts.

"That's my point," she snaps. "Our numbers are dwindling, big brother. We need an alliance to make sure no one comes looking to get rid of you."

It's a possibility, but I'm not worried. Despite what Matteo says, I am proven and Caruso's support protects me.

I need to reassure them both that I'm on board and moving forward with this marriage. I can't bring my mouth to say the words. "I promise you, I'll take care of this family. I won't let you down."

The weight of that promise settles heavily on my shoulders. In two weeks' time, I'll be standing at the altar, exchanging vows with Ava Rinella. It's what my parents wanted, what they had been planning since I was eighteen. At the time, I was pushing the loss of Piper away by jumping one hundred percent into the business. I had been eager to take on the mantle of leadership, to prove myself worthy of the D'Amato name.

Ava is a lovely girl, and I know she will make a dutiful wife. And yet… fuck. Why did Piper have to enter my life again? She's the one I should be married to. Had she not disappeared, we'd be living in wedded bliss. Hell, we might have kids now. And I wouldn't be standing here on the precipice of a marriage I don't want.

"I hope so, Elio. You're the foundation of this family."

I nod, offering her a reassuring smile. "And I'll continue to be that. For you, for Lazaro, and for our parents. I know this alliance with the Rinellas is crucial. I won't let anything mess that up."

The words taste bitter on my tongue, but I force myself to believe them. Piper is a ghost from the past, a distraction I can't afford. And based on her reception of me today, she doesn't want anything to do with me, anyway. I'm a fool to keep thinking about her and what could have been.

My future lies with Ava and securing the D'Amato legacy. I have to keep my focus on that, no matter how much my heart may yearn for something else.