2

It’s late, and as I pour myself another shot of whiskey I think of the idiocy I had done by promising my father on his deathbed, something I would surely regret for the rest of my life. It was obvious to both Villani and Cavalieri that this quarrel had already lasted too long, and that perhaps this agreement would work, and if the families could not leave in the past all that had happened, at least that the clash would cease, which could generate even some collaboration among all involved.

She’s too young. And too insolent. She looked at me like she was above good and evil, and we won’t understand each other just because Giulia Cavalieri thinks she’s right. I know that Giulia must act like this for countless reasons, all her life in the hands of Donatella, who thought of nothing but herself, guiding her through a troubled childhood and adolescence, always running away, hiding. But now she has the opportunity to live safely, comfortably, and as long as she could keep that pretty little mouth shut, there might be a chance to make it work.

Giulia in expensive clothes and heels should do well the role of trophy wife , and as much as Carolyn satisfies me, the idea that she was untouched did not displease me. I imagine that living in a quiet region under the responsibility of the nuns, their education was extremely rigid, but from my own experience, I know that girls like this usually surprise after some advances. And if she doesn’t, it’s nothing a mistress wouldn’t solve.

As soon as I finish my drink, I see my sister, Linda, coming back, already in her sleeping clothes, under her navy blue robe. She sits in the chair next to mine.

“She slept” says Linda, thoughtful “poor girl.”

“Hum” I know she’s preparing me for a long talk, but I’m not willing to listen. Giulia was born in a world where there are no poor girls. And she could talk about it herself after she slapped me, which I certainly won’t forget.

“You were incisive with the girl, brother” Linda continues after a break “Giulia is scared, I remember when I was coming of marriage age, our father had to use a lot of diplomacy to refuse marriage proposals that were made to me.”

“He was sensible, with you” I speak loosening the tie “already to me, left the burden of an arranged marriage.”

“Do you think Mom was a burden to him?” she asks, and I had thought about it myself.

“Our mother was a hasty arrangement, as if it could make everyone forget what had happened. It was not the first option, and Dad never loved her, however, he was a good husband.”

It was true, he had been a good father, present whenever possible, if there was no love between them, at least they were companions, and respect was mutual.

“Do you think Giulia is beautiful?” I look at Linda, who laughed maliciously.

“What I found makes no difference, after I met Cavalieri, we should make it official as soon as she came of age” I expected that answer to be enough, but she sat up in the chair.

“I want to remind you that you cannot take advantage of the situation while Giulia is under our roof” she said as if I did not know.

“Do not worry, I have no intention of taking her to my bed” I get up already sleepy “I will go to sleep, we will leave early in the morning.”

Despite the few hours of sleep, I wake up in a good mood after a dreamless night. After a quick shower, I dress without haste, and leaving my room I hear the voice of Linda, excited at the end of the hall, certainly talking to Giulia. I confess that I am curious about the subject they talk about, but I decide to go down for a cup of coffee while I read the newspaper. I had already been entertained by the news of the day when I heard my sister’s voice again, and when I looked towards them both, I was caught off guard.

Giulia is beside her, and by the calmer expression on her face, I am sure that even with the help of sleeping pills, her night must have been repairing. The blonde hair is curling gracefully, and she wears a dark blue dress, fair, a little shorter than would be acceptable to anyone who would become my wife. I do not fail to notice what was hidden by the religious rags of the night before, the slender body, curves in the right places, a beautiful pair of breasts weighing inside the neckline, without exaggeration. I keep looking at her for longer, thinking that Giulia Cavalieri wasn’t the kind of girl I’d be attracted to, but she’s too pretty to ignore.

She avoids looking in my direction, like an angry child. I fold the newspaper and keep looking in her direction as she hears Linda talking non-stop about purchases they should make in the next few days.

“It seems that the Cavalieri do not usually say good morning” provoking, receiving a look of disapproval from Linda. Giulia’s cheeks take on a rosy tone under the freckles, and she looks at me, had not noticed that her eyes are green.

“Good morning” said, and then refused coffee, preferring tea.

“I was talking to Giulia that it’s a pity that we have to leave so quickly” Linda said “she is without clothes!”

“To me she looks perfectly dressed” I turn my attention to the newspaper again.

“Yes, because I’m a privileged woman and I went shopping yesterday afternoon” she continued “the dress fits perfectly” she cleared, trying to make me talk “Mike!”

“My God, Linda, what is it now?” I look over the newspaper, and then at the watch on my wrist “if you don’t mind, we don’t have much time, have your coffee, yes?”

“Don’t you think Giulia looked pretty in this dress?” Sometimes I think Linda didn’t come out of high school, she wanted me to tell her Giulia looked nice, and I just want her to eat the damn toast because I have more to do before we leave.

I look at Giulia carefully, getting closer, she is that kind of woman, who no matter how many times you look, looks more and more beautiful. She pouts, because I’m a few steps away from her.

“You look very beautiful, Ms. Cavalieri” I speak and finish my coffee, leaving the cup next to Giulia’s “do not linger.”

We leave Italy on a private flight, and even after hours in a plane, Giulia and I don’t talk, and that persists while already in the United States, Linda tries to mediate some kind of conversation between us, still at the airport I quickly talk to my sister about going to one of our clubs, and instruct her to keep the girl under constant surveillance, at least until I and Joe Cavalieri settle the terms of the marriage.

“Please keep me updated” she said as we watched the girl get into the car that will take them to Linda’s house.

“I’m afraid you’ll hear from me today, sister” I suspect Cavalieri is already expecting me, wanting to take his niece to Chicago, and I have no intention of giving her to him. Not until he grants me control of part of the casinos, and the traffic in a prime area in Chicago, and yet, the girl will be in the care of the Villani family, not to risk him changing his mind and helping her disappear into the world, as Tony did with Donatella.

Inside the car, Levi is with me, and it has just been communicated that Joe Cavaliere is at Saint’s, as I expected, since the place, before my father took over, belonged to his family, and maybe he wanted to negotiate it too, which I would never do. I was hoping to have a little more time, for some quick fixes with my captains, and a meeting with Chris Villani, my consieglieri, which due to the circumstances I have to postpone.

When the car slows down and to the front of the Saint’s, it is immediately surrounded, I recognize our soldiers, and as soon as I get out of the vehicle, I see Joe Cavalieri, posted on the staircase, the hat swinging to the right side. I realize his close men too and conclude that Fabian must have arrived without major problems at Linda’s house, Cavalieri probably thought Giulia would be with me.

“Where is she?” He asked as soon as I offered my hand to greet him, squeezing it, forgetting that I could overpower him, knocking him right here.

“In a safe place” I speak low, and then I go up the stairs, and he follows me. I look around calmly and then stare at him “send them away” he laughs, cynical “you won’t come in here if you don’t.”

I understand Joe Cavalieri’s annoyance, and I know very well that he’s not the type to handle orders well, especially coming from someone considered too young to have the same title as him. Cavaliere discreetly calls one of them, who nods positively, and then the men retreat. I point to the glass door in front of us and enter the club, in the empty hall, just the sound of our steps towards the elevator.

When the elevator door opens on the fifth and last floor of the old building, where since my father had taken over the business, used to meet, whether with allies, partners, and even resolve some impasse with cartels, guangues and other factions. In addition to the first and main floor, where there are shows and the tables of games more crowded by the regulars, there is a whole floor of "executive" games, where the biggest bets happen, and only invited players can participate.

“He did a beautiful job here” he said, looking at the office, and he was right, that building was a dump, and my father had turned it into one of the most luxurious clubs in the country, and right there, where the view of New York at a beautiful dusk, discuss the fate of Villanis and Cavalieris.

“Nothing compared to what it was before Villani” he said, and then I served whiskey shots for us.

“Even though I think it’s a terrible tone that your comment I’m obliged to agree” Cavalieri sat the comfortable chair and I in my place, behind the table, we both drank in silence and soon after he continues “now let’s get to the point, Villani” his face has taken on a grim expression “where is Giulia?”

“She’s safe, as I told you” I speak, relaxed.

“You will give me the girl, Villani, or we will have problems” the voice was one of those who would not accept any refusal, certainly many would take that into account, not me.

“Not at all.”

“Come on, kid, don’t be a fool like your father was” he seemed unaware of the danger he was in talking about Erico Villani “I will locate my niece, and you will pay a high price if anything happens to her.”

“What do you think I did to her? In addition to saving her from the Russians and bringing her back safely” relax, and have another sip “you can see her as soon as we come to an agreement” I pause “but you won’t take her anywhere.”