by Via Mari
Her eyes cloud over for a moment and I lift her chin. “What is it, Serena?”
“You don’t think any more of your cousins are disloyal?” she asks, but I know what she’s really asking is if there are any of the Family that she and her family need to worry about personally.
My jaw tightens with the thought of any of my Family having ever terrorized her. While I can’t change the past, I can make damn sure that nothing like that ever happens to her or her family in the future and that she feels comfortable with my Family. “No, Tesoro, every one of my cousins has been vetted after what we learned. Taps on all communications, and numerous other things you need know nothing about, but you can be assured that they are clean or they wouldn’t be coming within ten miles of you or your family. Your worries, they are over, did I not tell you that?” I ask, delighting as I watch her eyes go hazy and lusty.
While I would love nothing better than to stay here and reward her submission and her trust, there is much work to be done if we are to protect her from Alfreita and his men.
“I have to go now, Tesoro. Plan our wedding. It must happen in the next two days since we leave for America first thing Monday,” I say, kissing her lips one last time before reluctantly leaving her softness to go and meet with my family.
I walk into the kitchen and the look on my great-uncle’s face alerts me he has somehow been informed of our plan and lets me know that all hell is about to break loose.
Serena
My wedding is less than two days away. I need to get the ladies on the phone and ask if they will help organize this. Over the last few months, these women have become my lifeline while sitting and waiting for Giovanni to call or to come home to me.
Katarina has kept me the most preoccupied, because like me, she is just getting to truly know Giovanni and her entire family, because her mom left her father and the Family years ago, not knowing she was pregnant with Katarina. I’ve listened to her stories, the ones about always dreaming of a father, and of her mother crying herself to sleep at night, pining away for the man she loved, and of the way Chase introduced her to her father after they met.
Jenny and Marenah have become close friends, too. Sasha, though, has become my dearest friend, having gotten to know her and Jay and the security team on the plane. We have become close, texting and talking to each other almost every day. I love her enthusiasm and sense of adventure and will always be thankful for the way she took me under her wing when I was an airplane attendant aiding the most exclusive companies around the globe.
She made me feel comfortable, marching me right into the security room with her while she gave my old coworker, the blonde bimbo who was trying to seduce her man, a run for her money. Later, Sasha invited me to stay with her and the crew and play cards, and introduced me to her sister.
These women are my tribe, and they know the trials and tribulations of loving dominant and powerful men in this world, and hopefully they know how to plan a wedding in two days! I text them to call into the secure conference line that our men had set up for us, and wait patiently until they all dial in. When I tell them about the wedding and that I have less than a day or so to plan it, I have to hold the phone away from my ear as they shriek with enthusiasm!
“We are not missing this, not for the world. I have the next two weeks off on the ballet circuit, and will be there in hell or the high water,” Sasha says, and I try to keep from laughing out loud at her language faux pas.
“I’m texting Brian right now to see if he can break away,” Jenny says, and my heart swells with love for my newfound friend. I know the history between Jenny and Sasha. The fact that Sasha will be at the wedding and once dated Jenny’s husband and Jenny still wants to be there for me makes me teary eyed with love and appreciation for my friends.
I know before Katarina says a word that she would want to be here, but that she has to take it easy until the babies are ready. “Kate, I know you can’t fly right now, but somehow I want you to be here, too. Can we do that video thing? So that you can be on a telemonitor or something?” I say.
“Oh, my God! That would be amazing! I didn’t even think of that. I was sitting over here feeling sorry for myself, and here you are thinking of different ways to do things! I think we’re going to need to tap some of your creativity when we’re working on some of the resort details. In the meantime, I’ll text Chase and see if he and the guys can set something up. Seriously great idea, although I really wish I could be there in person and give you a big hug. I’m pretty sure that means you need to get married twice. Once, in Italy, and then when you get to Vegas maybe we can have you married by Elvis?”
“By who?”
Kate laughs out loud. “Elvis, okay, you have to listen to this. It’s a thing, I mean he’s a thing, well, actually he’s a person. Elvis Presley, you know the rock and roll legend of the sixties? Well he is alive and well in Las Vegas, and he and many impersonators are marrying people all over the city in little white chapels. Well, I was thinking. What if you want to be married by Elvis, or anyone, for that matter? Shouldn’t you be able to do that in The Larussio Resort without having to leave your high-scale resort, and shouldn’t you be able to get married in the most opulent of circumstances and still be married by Elvis? No racing through the streets of Las Vegas, getting caught up in traffic jams and no being late to your own wedding, right?” Kate asks, her wheels clearly going a mile a minute.
“I mean the process is so smooth and efficient. These weddings are seriously scheduled every fifteen minutes. They don’t allow you into the chapel until your entire wedding party has arrived, and once you’re in, the wedding is provided, and then they move you and your entire party out of the little chapel to an outside area set up for pictures. This allows them to move one group outside while they’re moving the next wedding party and their guests in. Talk about maximizing flow!” Katarina says.
I google Elvis weddings on my phone while she rambles about the details and try not to laugh out loud. The thought of Giovanni agreeing to this gyrating rock and roll man presiding over our wedding, instead of his family’s conservative priest, is highly unlikely, but far be it for me to throw a bucket of cold water on my friend’s vision for The Larussio-style wedding chapel. I can only imagine the look on Giovanni’s face when she explains it to him.
“That’s a wonderful idea, Kate! You could pick your wedding theme, right? Some people want to get married by a holy man, some people want to get married by a legend like Elvis, but what if you could pick anyone? What if you chose from any and every fantasy that you’ve ever had for your wedding and make it come true?” Sasha gushes.
“Oh, wait! You guys are going to love this,” Marenah says.
Sasha pretends to groan. “Tell us, give us the details!”
“Well, you could do both traditional and not so traditional, you know, for every type of relationship.”
“Go on, I’m following and taking notes,” Katarina says.
“I was just thinking, you can cater to both the vanilla and BDSM world here. A wedding for some, but a collaring ceremony for others. You already have the entire resort established for the most high-end users. Many of these people are going to be into traditional weddings, a priest, albeit a well-known priest, but what if they want a nontraditional ceremony?” Marenah says, and I think all of us probably visualize the exquisite collar that Marenah never removes.
“You know what, you’re onto something. We opened an entire lower level playroom. Why would we not think to have a collaring or wedding ceremony available for purchase, with any magistrate of their choice? I mean, this is Vegas! Marenah, if I set up a time, can you help us understand your thoughts a little bit more?” Kate asks.
“I would be ecstatic to help, but let me touch base with Matt. He can help identify some people that would be able to assist far better in that area than I can. Is that okay?” Marenah asks.
“It’s m
ore than okay, but wait, the babies are really moving,” Kate says as she sends us a video of her baby belly moving up and down and all over the place.
“Seriously, those babies should start behaving themselves. If you weren’t so incredibly pregnant, what would be your favorite room in the lower level playroom of The Larussio? I seriously can’t wait to check it out. I think Brian has one of the VIP rooms reserved for us when we arrive,” Jenny says.
I take pity on Kate and jump into the conversation. “Seriously, I think the idea for The Larussio wedding themes is amazing, but Earth back to everybody, we are talking about my wedding to Giovanni, and it is less than two days away. I have absolutely no idea what to do. He said he would have someone call me about details, but I just want a small simple wedding, and my family and friends to be with us.”
“Well then, that’s what you should do,” Sasha says. “Marenah and I can fly in for the wedding with the guys. Matt and Jay can work from anywhere when not on assignment. We’ll arrange for the live video for Kate and Chase, but first we need to know where. Do you want to get married in the church, or what?”
“Oh, ladies, you seriously need to see the Larussio estate. There is an entire chapel where the family priest comes to provide service Sunday morning. It will be perfect.”
“Okay, so while everyone’s been talking, I’ve been making a list. You get married in the church by the priest. If it’s on Sunday, then nothing else is needed. Your family will already be on the estate, so Giovanni will just need to make plans for a different type of service. Sunday sounds like the day, my friend!” Kate says.
I don’t tell them that it’s not quite as easy as that, but instead make a mental note to ask Giovanni about persuading Great-Uncle to give the ladies security clearance for the event.
“Now, for the details. We need rings, a meal, celebratory food and drinks afterward. Tell me what you want to have for a meal, and flavor of cake, first,” Kate says, always the efficient, practical one of our group.
“A traditional Italian family dinner. The Larussios have the best chefs on-site. I don’t even want to pick a meal—let them surprise me.”
“Excellent. See, one more thing off the list. I assume you’ll have them select the wines and other drinks in coordination with their food choice?” Kate says.
“Of course! I’m afraid it would be a dismal disaster if I even attempted it. As far as I’m concerned, the chef can decide on the flavor of the wedding cake, too.”
“Or you could just defer to your friends and order chocolate millefoglie,” Kate says, and everyone chimes in with their approval for the traditional wedding cake that can be filled with a variety of flavors.
I laugh. “Did you catch that, Kate? Sounds perfect to me,” I say, never one to turn down chocolate, especially when spread between the folds of a deliciously moist cake. “I can call Sal and ask him to put me in touch with a jeweler the Family may use or know of. I have an idea what I want for Giovanni, but we’re talking about two days. I just don’t know if they’ll be able to get it done so quickly.”
Jenny laughs. “It’s for the Larussios. They own Italy. If they have to work around the clock, they’ll have whatever you need done by Sunday. Trust me! Last thing. A honeymoon!” she says and the others join in with squeals of laughter.
“No honeymoon, we wed at the estate and then straight to The Larussio in Vegas!”
“You don’t think Giovanni is going to want to spend a little intimate time with his new bride before tackling all the work here?” Kate asks.
“No, he won’t negotiate with my safety. We’ll have all the time in the world once the people targeting our family are dealt with, but until then, he’ll want to stay at The Larussio.”
“Well I’m sure that won’t be a hardship for you with all the deliciously sinful rooms in the lower level,” Marenah says.
“I happen to be privy to all the amenity requests coming through this resort, and I can assure you that Giovanni has all the honeymoon arrangements at The Larussio all planned out. I seriously don’t know when you’ll have time to wear clothes,” Kate says.
Gio
I’m watching Great-Uncle’s face, and the pulse in his neck is beating rapidly. “Giovanni, I know what you are contemplating. As much as I want you and Serena together, I will not have her used as a pawn to draw these men out. She has been through enough! What the hell are you thinking?” he roars, his deep brown eyes pinning me with a stare that leaves most men shaking in its wake.
“Great-Uncle, you’ve not heard the entire story. Please, sit, I’ll get you an espresso and will share the plan. If you don’t approve, of course we can shift course.”
His shoulders and the tightening of his jawline slowly start to relax.
I prepare our drinks, handing one to him before settling into the chair across from him. “We are not intending to use Serena as a pawn to draw these fuckers out. I would never agree to that, even though that is exactly what has been leaked all over the airwaves.”
His forehead crinkles in confusion and his lips tighten. “Then what’s the plan, Giovanni? I don’t like anything that includes Serena in any way.”
“So, what are we discussing gentlemen?” Sal asks, sauntering into the kitchen and smiling widely before pouring himself an espresso and turning toward us. “Hope I’m not intruding, but I’ve just got off the phone with Antonio. He’s been working side by side with the security team, and I’m completely impressed. As I understand it, they were able to get a communication lock on Alfreita’s son and have been following all the airways. They just sent confirmation that they have a direct line set up and can listen to the orders and directions being given.”
“That’s great, right?” I ask, hoping this will alleviate a little of Great-Uncle’s concern.
He is not to be deterred so quickly, though. “Giovanni, we need a plan to ensure Serena’s safety and that of my great grandnephew. My understanding is you plan to take her out of the safety of our estate. How will we ensure her safety? I will not rest until I know this!”
Sal’s lips quirk at Great-Uncle’s assumption that our child will be a boy. He warned me how attached Great-Uncle had become to Serena, and I have no doubt his protectiveness will increase now that she is with child.
“We don’t have everything finalized, but Serena is working on our wedding plans so that we can be married before we leave on Monday. She wants to invite her family to Sunday service in the chapel on our estate and have the wedding during normal service times. Toni has already begun making the meal preparations. He was livid that he didn’t have months to prepare, but I think he settled down once we told him we would be having a very large wedding in the near future that he could use to boast all of his culinary talents.”
“I don’t give two fucks about the plans for the wedding while you are on the estate. We know that will be secure, only people with level one clearance will have access, and our grounds are safe. What you are not telling me, intentionally I might add, is that you are planning to take Serena and my unborn great grandnephew to the States, where we can’t see the enemy coming like we do here. I need to know what the plan is, or I will forbid her journey to America!”
I love that he has come to care for Serena as I have, but right now I would settle for a little less of his interference. “You do realize there’s a fifty percent chance that our child could be of the female persuasion? And the plan is to wed on Sunday, leave for America on Monday, and you must know that I have been in constant contact with Jay and Matt. The security team have everything in place and will not allow harm to come to her.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “I know you think everything has been covered, but Giovanni, this is not safe. You are giving them the window of opportunity they need.”
“I’ve learned from you, Great-Uncle. I won’t let anything happen to Serena,” I say.
“You are not listening
; you are not hearing a word of what I am trying to convey. You think you have a plan, but they are worthy adversaries. You have to assume they already know your plans and have a plan to outmaneuver you. Do you hear what I’m saying, Giovanni?”
“Serena is mine. The arrangements have been made. That is all we need to say or talk about!”
“I am still the head of this house and will forbid you taking her to America!” Great-Uncle roars.
I glance over at Salvatore, and his body is tense and his eyes are dark with emotion while he contemplates the conversation. “Sal, give me your thoughts! I need her safe, but I need her with me!” I growl, running a hand through my hair.
“I think just the fact that you’re asking is telling. There’s not one member of our crew that wouldn’t lay down their life for her and the life she’s carrying. I’m not convinced that we can keep her as safe outside of the estate as we can on it, but I understand your dilemma. If you keep her a prisoner, locked up at home without you, she will wither, and even though you said for two weeks, we all know this could go on much longer than that. Then what?” Salvatore says, and even though we worked through a plan we were both comfortable with last night, I know both of us are still concerned about her ultimate safety.
“Jay and his team have saved our lives time and time again! I believe they will keep her safe. Uncle Carlos has a large crew, and we will use them to keep her safeguarded while at The Larussio, too,” I say, avoiding the fact that Salvatore and I have already made plans to take Great-Uncle with us as well. He may be getting up there in years, but he always needs to be in the thick of things, and it is best that he is with us, for his peace of mind and for ours.
“Jay has everything under control and has been keeping me apprised. They believe they have a communication lock on Alfreita’s son, but they want to make sure it’s not a ploy,” I say.
