Reign of Pride

by A. G. Kirkham

  The doors close behind me, and I turn my attention back to Nero. He reaches into his breast pocket and takes out a small box. He lifts the lid to uncover a remarkable diamond ring. The band is a mix of white and rose gold, the center is a pink emerald-cut diamond surrounded by more diamonds. It must be at least three carats. It’s unbelievably beautiful.

  He holds out his hand and I place mine in his. He slides the ring on my finger, and I am now claimed. I slide my gaze to his and whisper, “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

  “Not as beautiful as my bride.” The compliment makes me blush. He continues to hold my hand. “Are you afraid of me, Felicia? Your pulse is rapid.”

  “No, of course not,” I reply quickly. I don’t want him to think I’m weak. “I’m a little overwhelmed. It’s not every day a girl gets engaged,” I say to cover my trembling hand.

  “I guess not.” His other hand tilts my chin up and I think he is going to kiss me.

  Do I want him to? Yes, I do. I have been wondering what his kiss will be like.

  He lowers his head to kiss the side of my mouth. The softness of his lips warms my cheek. I am holding my breath.

  The door opens and Don Moretti returns. “It’s time to make your entrance.”

  Nero releases me and extends his arm for me to take. I slip my arm through his and follow his father out the door to our gathering.

  Greeted by applause, Nero leads me to the elongated table to take our seats. Dad is waiting at the head of the table while Don Moretti is immediately to his right. Normally the Don would head the table, however Marco insisted that Dad take that seat. A sign of respect from our Don. Normally, that seat would be for my mother as the hostess. Beside Don Moretti is his wife, followed by my mother, and then Emiliano.

  Emiliano tugs at his tie, looking completely uncomfortable. Little does he know that this will be his new normal as soon as he is inducted.

  Nero is to my father’s left, with me by his side, followed by Grazia and Luciano. Olivia is next, followed by her family. The tables are strategically assigned based on rank. This is an insight into my future of event planning, especially since being invited at all is considered an honor.

  Nero holds the chair for me before taking his seat. The Don rises from the table with a glass in hand and signals for Dad to stand next to him.

  “Today we celebrate the engagement of our children. Together, the strength and bravery of two young people set an example of the strength of our famiglia. Our words hold true, blood runs deep, dark, and forever. La Famiglia per sempre.”

  “Famiglia per sempre,” Dad repeats. “I have given my daughter’s hand to the one man who is one of the most feared and respected of our family. It is an honor to have you all in our home for this celebration. Thank you for joining us in this joyous celebration.”

  We all raise our glasses when I see Nero jolt out of his seat. He grabs me around my waist and throws me to the floor.

  “Down!” he yells, and the entire room drops to the floor as a laser beam light explodes the champagne flute in front of where I’d been sitting not three seconds ago. “Sniper,” Nero says, and his men pull the curtains closed.

  The wind was knocked out of me when Nero threw me down—or that could be this awful turn of events. Grazia and Olivia crawl over to me and huddle beside me. I look around for Mom, and find her, Emiliano, and Gloria being rushed out of the room by one of Dad’s soldiers. Nero’s eyes narrow on me, then he hoists me up from the floor. “Luciano, get these women”—he points to Olivia and his sister—“to safety.” He turns his attention to his father.

  “Nero take the men and search the perimeter while Mario and I take the women to the safe room. Call me on the secure line and keep me in the loop at all times. I want to know who had the nerve to do this in our house.”

  “Absolutely,” Nero says and watches his father grasp his daughter’s hand leading the way with Luciano and Olivia following behind.

  “Let’s go, bella.” Dad takes my hand as Nero releases me. I walk with Dad until I see my mother. She holds out her arms to me and I run into them, safe again in her arms.

  We wait for what seems an eternity. Don Moretti taking the lead and allowing the guests to leave after they had been spoken to, one at a time. I hear that this was an inside job. There is a rat among the family. They chose this day to ruin. A day where we were all assembled for effect. We are moved to Dad’s den eventually. Olivia and her family had left a few minutes ago. Luciano and his men put Gloria and Grazia into bulletproof vehicles and escorted them home to safety. After a thorough search they find the spot where the sniper was hidden but no other clues to who he was or who let him on the property.

  Mom and Emiliano are finally allowed to walk about the house. I’m confined to the den to wait for Nero. I sit on the leather loveseat in Dad’s office with my head in my hands. I hear the creak of the door and lift my eyes to see Don Moretti leading the way, along with Nero and Dad. Dad moves to the mini bar and pours himself his favorite scotch, along with two other glasses. He hands one to each of the men.

  Nero is furious. His free hand is clenched into a fist and he yanks off the bow tie then unbuttons his top button. His eyes are glaring. This is a major insult to our famiglia. Was it the Russians, or a rival family?

  The silence makes me nervous. They know something. Everyone else has been allowed to leave, except me. I can’t stand the silence any longer.

  “What’s happening?” I ask, wringing the handkerchief that Mom had handed me earlier.

  Dad sighs. “It seems—”

  “Allow me, Mario,” Nero says. “May I have a moment with Felicia, please?” I can see that Dad wants to object as he looks at my father looking for his approval. “She’s safe with me, Mario. She’s my fiancée. No one touches what’s mine.”

  Dad relents and he and Don Moretti take their drinks out through the patio doors. Nero sits beside me, his fist clenching and unclenching.

  That doesn’t make me feel safe. “Please, just tell me.”

  He sighs. “It seems that you were the intended victim. I caught a light in the reflection out of the corner of my eye. The laser was directed at the back of your head.”

  I gasp loudly, then cover my mouth. No one has ever tried to kill me before. I wasn’t even the one they were after with Grazia. I knew that they were after the capo’s daughter. But, this time, it’s me.

  “They will not touch you, Felicia. I swear to you that you are safe,” he vows.

  “How can you say that?” I ask, shaking.

  Nero reaches over and takes my hand—the hand he, mere hours earlier, had placed a ring on.

  He strokes the ring. “Look at me.” He waits until my eyes meet his. “My vow to you is my protection. You are my bride and my responsibility. We will increase the security around the clock. I know you’re afraid. It’s normal. But the assassin’s intention was to infuriate me into making a mistake and I will not allow that to happen. The person responsible will be found and he will pay dearly with their life and a slow and painful death.”

  “Maybe we should stop this marriage,” I say quietly.

  “This is not an option for either of us. My father will be seen as weak and so will yours. Our enemies will take it as a sign to strike hard. We move on as planned. We marry in October as planned. You have been given to me, our Famiglia has spoken, and we obey its traditions. Do you understand?” he asks stressing every word.

  In other words, there are no other options and I must be obedient. “I understand,” I concede.

  Nero rises, then opens the patio doors to indicate our discussion is over.

  “Felicia and I will be moving forward as planned,” he says as Dad and Marco return. “I will secure the breach in our defenses and won’t be available until the wedding. Mario, I would like to discuss a greater security detail for Felicia and your family. Father, I would like to call a meeting of our underbosses. I have a plan to flush out our culprit,” Nero suggests.

  “May I go
upstairs to my room?” I’ve had all I can take for one day and just want to go put my pajamas on and get into bed and forget this entire day.

  “Yes, bella. You may go,” Dad says, after a glance at Don Moretti and receiving a gracious nod.

  I head toward the door, but Dad stops me with a hand on my arm, then pulls me to him and kisses my hair.

  “It will be okay, my girl. I promise.”

  I nod and make my way to the door with as much decorum as possible. Once I close the door, I rush up the steps to my room, tear at the dress until I have it off, strip off the rest of my clothes, then stand under a hot shower. The water—and my tears—drain as I cry.

  Chapter Six

  I Do

  Nero

  * * *

  Six months later

  Months have been spent securing our enterprises. Our businesses are solid, our people are loyal. All but one who thought to take out my future wife. We haven’t found him yet, but we will. And when we do, it will be the most lethal infliction of pain and suffering they could have ever imagined. We had captured a few Russian soldiers found in our territory and tortured them to talk. And while we did get some to talk, none knew anything about the attempt on Felicia’s life. And then they were rewarded with a slow death. I don’t care; I am a killer. Cold, methodical. I am what my family needs me to be. The future leader. I was born and trained from birth; the responsibilities that I have been given are heavy. The pride, future, and fear of the entire Pennsylvania branch depends on my ability to rule after my father. He is still capable and able to rule for a great many years yet, still, I need to step up. This means that bloodshed is a hazard of the job. The screams and pleadings of those who have crossed us no longer haunt my dreams because this is my normal.

  Having a wife chosen for me is also normal. I’d had more say in the matter than I’d expected, however seeing that I refuse to see her with anyone else, I am not opposed to the marriage. Her youth is the prime drawback because, while I don’t believe in love, young, innocent girls like Felicia do. That, I’m not capable of. I’m not made that way. Love is not a luxury I am allowed to have. It becomes a hindrance to love someone. The enemy takes what you care for the most and destroys it. For her sake, I will choose not to let that happen. As my wife, she will have my protection; she will bear our children and stand by my side. Respect is earned. Although, she has already saved my sister from what would have been a tragic outcome if she hadn’t thought as quickly as she had, so she has already earned our respect.

  It will not be a hardship to bed her. Two years have only made Felicia more beautiful than that time I’d saved her. Those eyes of hers are soulful. Her lips, soft and plump. The hair that I want to wrap my hands in while I spread those creamy white legs and take her hard. I have to keep reminding myself that she is still a virgin and I must temper my strength. I am also twenty-six to her barely eighteen years. My first time had been the day of my induction, when I was fourteen. A gift from the underbosses; they had an upscale whore from our business visit my room after I’d received my tattoo, Famiglia per sempre, etched into my skin. I have gotten many more since then. I like the feel of the burn. Pain can be pleasure. But I have to remember that not everyone thinks so and I must be gentle with Felicia when the time comes for me to take her to my bed.

  It cannot come soon enough.

  For the last six months, the security detail on Felicia has been doubled. Felicia has followed instructions and hasn’t deviated from the plan. She’s only asked that I keep Lorenzo in her crew of guardians. I accepted her request. Lorenzo is a loyal man and has shown this tirelessly through his many years of service.

  I stand at the altar with Luciano standing next to me, and our next made man in the making, Emiliano, Felicia’s younger brother. He is twelve years old and already learning to school his emotions. He’d approached me earlier to warn me to be kind to his sister. If it were anyone else, I would have lifted them by the neck and squeezed until the life drained from their body. But a young boy, with such tenacity and bravery to confront the next Don, was simply impressive. I’d told him that this conversation never happened and to watch his tongue or it’d be severed from his body. I’d also told him that his bravery was commendable for someone so young. With this, I’d seen a glint of pride in his eyes.

  My father is in the front row along with my mother. She is clutching his arm and holding a tissue. On the other side of the church is Felicia’s mother. She is waiting the entrance of her husband and daughter. La Famiglia is gathered. Only those who must tend to business are missing; the rest are paying their respects and showing pride in being invited to attend.

  * * *

  Felicia

  My father and I step out of the pearl-white Rolls Royce that’s surrounded by guards and follow my bridesmaids into the church alcove. This day has been a whirlwind of activity. Mom came to wake me at six this morning, which was far too early considering I’d spent most of the night tossing and turning. Thoughts of Nero invaded my dreams when I did finally fall asleep. I dream of our first kiss, our first night together. I wake feeling nervous and excited at the same time.

  Mom and I had spent the previous day packing my clothes, books, and anything else I wanted to have with me. With each item I’d put into a box, I’d felt my chest tighten. I was never coming back to this house. Last night was the last night I was going to sleep in my bed—and sleep alone. Once we’d finished packing, Mom had sat me down to explain my duties as a wife. I heard none of it. Olivia and I and our small group of schoolmates have had many discussions on sex. I know the logistics. The moment she said the word wife, my mind had wandered. I was going to be a married woman and all that I knew would mean nothing because I will now belong to Nero Moretti. I had considered escaping—but only for a moment. But where was I going to go? I’d bring shame to my family and Don Moretti would make them pay. I could never do that to my parents.

  The house had been filled with flowers. My favorite flowers are peonies. I’d asked my mother and Gloria to include them in the floral arrangements and was grateful they took my feelings into consideration.

  I’d caught a glimpse of the décor when I’d been rushed into my bedroom for hair and makeup. A hive of activity had bustled throughout the house as I’d sat before a mirror watching the hair artist weave magic with my hair. Nero had asked for my hair to be left down, and, of course, what Nero wants, Nero gets. My hair had a rustic thin braid intertwined with pearl and diamond hair pins, then wrapped like a tiara. Loose tendrils flow around my cheekbones and soft, silky curls cascade down my back. The makeup savant kept the natural tones and made my makeup soft, warm hues of peach and coral creating a romantic vision. I love it.

  I’d stepped into my wedding dress. I’d known this was my dress from the moment I’d put it on. It is a lace-over-satin-cream designer wedding gown from Martina Liana. It makes me feel sexy with the fit-and-flare silhouette, and the botanical-patterned lace that is complemented with stunning design and a low, lace back. The sweetheart neckline adds to the glamour and is accented with a sheer, cut-out detailing and a massive train. It hugs my hips in all the right places, showcasing my hourglass frame. The intricate beadwork throughout the dress adds shimmer and sparkle in all the right places. A mix of modern design and antique lace, with crystal buttons. The final touch is the shoes. I went with a closed shoe in the same cream with crystal beading.

  Dad holds me steady as Olivia fixes my train. The music begins; I breathe deep and place the pink blush peony bouquet with lilies and roses before me.

  Nero

  Olivia is the first to walk down the aisle, poised and confident. Following her is Grazia; our father is currently looking for a suitable suitor for her. I have asked to be part of the process and graciously Father has agreed to have me participate. I want to make sure that the man we trust with Grazia understands his role in our family and treats her right.

  It’s true that many of our men take mistresses or visit our whore houses. I can’t im
agine that I would ever grow tired of being with Felicia. My expectations are to have a solid marriage and build a family with my wife.

  The guests rise as Felicia glides down the aisle, holding onto her father’s arm. The serenity on her face, with her chin lifted and small smile as she gazes around the room regally. I meet her at the base of the altar and watch as her father lifts her veil and kisses her cheek. I meet his eyes and feel his gaze pleading with me to look after her. I nod slightly, letting him know that I understand his concern for her safety. I extend my hand and Mario places Felicia’s in mine. She peers up at me, a tremble of her lips so minute that no one can notice except me. I feel my pulse throb knowing that Felicia and I will be tied forever. My prize. My beauty.

  I lead her to the altar where the priest commences the ceremony. Felicia’s gaze is fixed on the priest and listening attentively to the words being said, avoiding my eyes. We are asked to turn and face one another.

  “Do you take this man to be your husband, to love, honor, and obey, until death do you part?” the priest asks.

  She replies, her voice sweet, clear, and firm, “I do.”

  When the same is asked of me, I respond, “I do.”

  Felicia slides the band on my finger. Her shaking hands take a moment longer and her eyes peer up at me, as she bites her lower lip. I then take her hand firmly in mine and glide the ring onto her finger. I don’t let go, ensuring that she hears my words “Famiglia per sempre,” I utter for only her to hear me.

  “Famiglia per sempre,” she whispers.

  “You may now kiss your bride,” says the priest.

  I take a step forward, keeping her hands in mine, and lower my mouth. Her eyes widen until I am a breath away, then they flit closed as my lips meet hers. In a simple kiss, I mold my lips to hers. I take in her scent and pull back before I lose control and pull her to me to ravage her mouth. I lead her down the aisle, accepting congratulations. My wife by my side, now and forever.