She’s just a girl

MARCO'S POINT OF VIEW

I slid the glass across the table before bringing it to my lips and taking a few sips of the strongest single malt whisky I could find in my bar. This was certainly not how I expected to end my evening. I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to this wedding, especially since it was merely a pawn in the political game I was playing. The frustration that everything wasn't going exactly as I had predicted was immense.

Ten years ago, I had made a commitment to marry Laïs Barbosa. I had left her in a convent and waited until she turned twenty-one. It should have been a circus, but an easy one to manage. What I hadn't anticipated was that Laïs would be capable of turning the tables and escaping me. If there was one thing I hated, it was losing control of a situation.

"Are you very angry?" I heard Mateo's voice.

I took another sip of my whisky and looked out the window before placing the glass back on the table and turning to face my brother.

"I'm not angry; I'm annoyed." I inhaled and exhaled slowly to contain the urge to pick up the glass and smash it against the wall. I had always been a very stable man, and knowing how to handle any situation made others fear me.

"What are you going to do now?"

"Are they scouring Rome for the girl?" I responded to my brother with another question.

"As you ordered, but everyone is curious about whether the wedding will go on and what our relationship with the Barbosas will look like after what their daughter has done to you. It was a huge affront."

"Yes, a giant transgression." I picked up the whisky glass again and took another sip. My throat was dry, and even the burn of the alcohol didn't help to soothe it. I had to use every ounce of my being to maintain control.

"Some expect a war," Mateo continued. He still hadn't realized that I didn't want to talk.

"I could start a war."

I hurled the glass against the wall, exhaling sharply.

"And you don't want to?"

"The fool has no idea what she has done."

"Certainly not." Mateo laughed.

"She must be very naive not to understand the trail of bodies such an escape would leave behind."

"I have two choices right now, brother. Create that trail of bodies and spill a lot of blood, including our own, or pursue this and resolve the situation."

"It shouldn't be too hard to find her. After all, a girl who has spent half her life in a convent, alone and without resources, can't go very far."

"That's what I hope... Have them search every corner of Rome, every street and alley. Even under the watchful eyes if necessary. Send an alert to all the gang leaders. One of them must have seen a runaway bride. If she has gone beyond the city limits, she may have had help, and I want to know from whom."

I was surprised by the sound of my phone vibrating in my pocket. I wasn't in the mood for chit-chat, but I was waiting for news about my fiancée. I pulled it out and answered.

"What?"

"Hello, Marco Bellucci," said a mocking voice on the other end.

"Mr. Bellucci," I corrected in an authoritative tone. I didn't know who it was, but I hated the way he spoke to me.

"Well, Mr. Bellucci. I assume you're not having one of your best days, as your lovely young bride left you at the altar."

"Who is this? I'll only ask you once before I trace the call and have you killed."

"I'm Benjamin Costas; I presume you've heard of me. Afonso Barbosa and I are old acquaintances."

"Why are you calling me? How did you get my number?"

"You're not the only one with contacts, Mr. Bellucci."

"I suppose you've never heard the saying: the enemy of my ally is also my enemy."

"Yes. And I actually regret that you are so piously living up to those words. However, the deal with the Barbosas doesn't seem to be worth much now that Laïs has left you at the altar."

"Where are you going with this?"

"What happens if there is no wedding?"

"She's just a girl."

"But she's the link between the two families, isn't she?"

"Stay away from her," I said in a firm yet calm voice.

"As you said yourself, she's just a girl. Why should you care about her? We could be great allies, Marco. If you want a wife, I can find another very obedient Portuguese girl who won't annoy you."

"Is that all?"