Eve rushed to the window and peered out.
* * *
“It’s him!” She screamed.
* * *
“With Martina?”
* * *
“Yes! Yes!”
* * *
Before she could say anything else, Eve fled from the house and ran to Martina who was holding Matteo asleep in her arms .
* * *
Martina gladly skipped the niceties and handed Matteo to Eve. She held him close and spun him around, slowly rousing Matteo out of sleep.
* * *
“Mama?!” He said, seemingly surprised to be in his mother’s arms. She hugged him, squeezing him tightly, taking in his little toddler scent and the way his tiny warm body felt in her arms. Nico was right behind her, eager to greet their son.
* * *
Eve passed Matteo to Nico who held his son close and spoke to him in Italian until Matteo was bright-eyed, and ready to be set down on the ground. Before doing that, they all went inside and Matteo was set down in the kitchen so he could toddle from adult to adult in peace.
* * *
“It’s good to see you darling,” Martina greeted Eve with a hug and two kisses, one on each cheek. She did the same with Nico.
* * *
“Where are Domenico and Daniella?” Edoardo asked.
* * *
“On the way back.”
* * *
“Shall we wait to have champagne then?” Martina asked.
* * *
As Eve predicted, she was already eyeing the bottle of champagne.
* * *
“Yes, let’s wait. We have big news for them,” Nico said.
* * *
“Big news?” Eve and Martina asked at the same time.
* * *
Edoardo cleared his throat and jumped in, “Nico and I have been discussing the fate of the Riccardi syndicate.”
* * *
Martina and Eve exchanged worried glances. Neither wanted to return to a life that was anything but peaceful.
“Don’t worry,” Edoardo reassured them, “It’s not what you think.”
* * *
“Please then, let us know what on earth you two have been up to.”
* * *
“We’re passing the mantle to Domenico,” Nico confessed.
* * *
“Is it safe?” Eve wondered.
* * *
Nico couldn’t help but smile. His beautiful wife was eternally concerned with others, and even when alternatives meant that she might be in danger, she would never willingly allow Domenico to enter into a situation that was dangerous.
* * *
“We believe it to be safe,” Edoardo assured her.
* * *
“Someone needs to pick up the mantle where Giuseppe left off,” Nico explained, “The city will be in chaos otherwise and the men know Domenico. They know that he is Giuseppe’s nephew and I believe they will look to him.”
* * *
“Do you think he’ll agree to this?” Martina said.
* * *
Eve knew that he would. Domenico was not quite as jaded as Nico had been with regards to his family and the business they conducted. He was more tempered, more methodical, and far better suited to become a leader, even if he was young.
* * *
“Giuseppe took charge at a younger age himself,” Nico replied, “I believe Domenico is well suited. Plus, the potential for profit will be hard for a young man to ignore.”
* * *
“I think I hear them,” Edoardo said, before anyone could add anything else.
* * *
Eve walked towards the front door and peered out the peephole. Daniella and Domenico were on foot, holding cloth bags of their groceries for dinner that night. She opened the door and welcomed them in with a smile.
* * *
“They’re back, right?” Daniella asked.
* * *
Eve nodded.
* * *
Domenico and Daniella walked into the kitchen and exchanged hugs and kisses with everyone, including Matteo. Once Daniella had picked up Matteo, he refused to be put down, so she held him in her arms as Nico began to share with Domenico what he’d just shared with the rest of the room.
* * *
“I think it’s time we discuss what will happen once we leave,” He began.
* * *
“Is everything okay?” Daniella asked.
* * *
“Yes,” Edoardo replied, “It’s fine. We simply have a request of Domenico.”
* * *
Nico cleared his throat, “With my father and brother gone, we will need a Riccardi in Boston.”
* * *
Domenico nodded, “I will be happy to stand by your side cousin.”
* * *
“No,” Nico said, “That’s not what I mean. What I mean is, it’s time for you to take control. Lead the Riccardi family in Boston and return home Domenico.”
* * *
Daniella’s mouth hung open, but the news hadn’t hit Domenico in quite the same way.
* * *
“What are you saying, cousin?”
* * *
“I am saying that you must take on the role of my father. I am getting too old for such matters and the men in Boston know you.”
* * *
“So you want me… to lead the Riccardi syndicate?”
* * *
Domenico’s tone seemed almost suspicious.
* * *
“There is a lot to gain by doing so,” Edoardo offered.
* * *
Domenico’s brow furrowed. Everyone was on edge waiting to see how he would respond.
* * *
“Yes,” He murmured after pointed silence.
* * *
“Yes?” Daniella asked.
* * *
“Yes,” Domenico clarified, “I’ll do it. I’ll take Daniella to Boston and I will take up Uncle Giuseppe’s role.”
* * *
“Are you sure?” Nico replied, “I will not force you to do anything.”
* * *
“I’m sure,” Domenico said solemnly.
* * *
Nico wrapped his cousin up in a hug and kissed his cheek. This was the best outcome that either of them could have hoped for.
* * *
“Ahem,” Martina interrupted, “I believe it’s time for a champagne celebration?”
* * *
“Agreed,” Nico replied.
* * *
Daniella conspicuously skipped champagne and to help her feel less alone, Eve did the same, pouring some grape juice into glasses for both of them so they could still toast.
* * *
Edoardo raised his glass, “A toast: to the Riccardi family and the Al-Sayed family. May we have many years of wealth, happiness and peace in our homes.”
* * *
“Cheers!” The cries went up and the glasses clinked one after the other.
* * *
Matteo’s eyes were fixated on the scene before him and he clapped his hands as the adults glasses collided and they poured their drinks down their throats.
* * *
They were getting closer and closer to the end of their troubles. There was no one left to throw a wrench into their lives and Nico planned to live without inciting new enemies or new troubles. All they had to do was make it out of London safely.
* * *
As everyone continued to drink and be merry, Edoardo crossed the room to Nico and tapped his half-brother’s arm.
* * *
“Nico, may I have a word?”
* * *
Nico nodded, and followed his brother out of the room away from the crowd.
* * *
“What is it Edoardo?”
* * *
“I have a proposition for you but I don’t want it to become a public matter.”
* * *
“Pray tell.”
* * *
“I have a business proposition for after your honeymoon that I think will make us much richer men.”
* * *
“Those are words that every Riccardi loves to hear.”
* * *
Edoardo smiled, “This is a prospect right here in Europe. I am worried your wife will not want to stay.”
* * *
“If business is good enough, I’m sure she can be swayed.”
* * *
Edoardo pitched his idea. He knew an Egyptian contractor who had done the same project in Egypt. The retirement condominium development would be unlike anything Italy had seen before. Edoardo had plans, and most of the money for the investment. Nico didn’t have to think long before he agreed.
* * *
“This looks incredible Edoardo.”
* * *
“I figure you’d need business to distract yourself before a life in the mafia started to seem appealing again.”
* * *
Nico smirked, knowing that Edoardo was right.
* * *
“What we’ve done has always been primarily about business. Bring me the papers to sign and I’ll invest. We’ll discuss more after the honeymoon.”
* * *
“Good to hear brother.”
* * *
Nico smiled. Edoardo had been a surprise to him, coming up out of the blue. Yet, Edoardo had been more of a brother to him than Luca ever had. It was as if he were a surprise sent from the great beyond to prepare Nico for the loss that was coming.
* * *
The two men rejoined the room of celebrants. Nico took Matteo in his arms and held his young son close to him. Matteo babbled to him in Italian and then lay his head on his father’s shoulders. Matteo’s brown skin had grown paler with all his time out of the son. Italy would be good for him — it would be good for the family.
* * *
Nico knew that he might struggle introducing the idea to Eve, but he hoped that she would see his vision: stability, a real income, a home, living in a country that wouldn’t threaten them any longer. They could be safe, finally and truly.
* * *
The night wore on. First, Domenico and Daniella retired to their bedroom. Then, Martina and Edoardo left for their bedroom. They’d gone too long without being together and the eagerness for them to reunite as husband and wife was written all over their faces. Finally, Eve and Nico were left with Matteo. After a long flight, Matteo was eager to head to bed. Nico held his son in his arms and walked around, singing to him in Italian until the little boy drifted to sleep.
* * *
They placed him on his small bed and then they were left alone for the night, the last ones awake.
* * *
“I have something to discuss with you Eve,” Nico confessed.
* * *
“What is it?”
* * *
“It’s about our future.”
* * *
Hearing any talk of the future immediately worried Eve. The drama of being a mafia family was supposed to be over. Nico had found the perfect way out. Eve worried that he was sneaking another way back in.
* * *
She folded her arms.
* * *
“What is it?”
* * *
“Eve,” Nico smiled, “You needn’t worry. Edoardo has invited me to do business with him and I’ve agreed to join him as an investor.”
* * *
“What kind of business?”
* * *
“As an investor.”
* * *
“Legal?”
* * *
“More legal than anything I’ve ever done.”
* * *
“Hm…”
* * *
“May I explain?”
* * *
Eve sighed, “Sure. I just can’t held but feel worried.”
* * *
“Don’t be worried babe. We’re out. I made a promise to you that we’d be out, and we are.”
* * *
Eve moved closer to her husband and wrapped her arms around him.
* * *
“Then please… tell me about this business plan since you’re sure it won’t drive me crazy.”
* * *
“Edoardo wants us to build retirement condos in Italy.”
* * *
Nico caught a glimmer of amusement in Eve’s eyes.
* * *
“Retirement condos?”
* * *
“Si.”
* * *
Eve started laughing. It was a big, full-bellied laugh that threatened to knock her off her feet.
* * *
“Retirement condos…” She repeated while laughing again.
* * *
Nico waited patiently (despite his confusion) for Eve to finish her hysterical laughter.
* * *
“What is so funny?”
* * *
“That is the absolute last thing I thought you’d ever say to me… From gun toting to old folks? Come on, it’s quite a turn around.”
* * *
“Edoardo believes we will make good profits. I’ve seen the proposal, I think he’s right.”
* * *
“My God Nico, how could I say no to this? It’s a great way for us to make money legally…”
* * *
“Exactly,” Nico replied, clearing his throat.
* * *
Nico continued, “There’s just one last thing.”
* * *
“What is it?”
* * *
“We would have to relocate back to Italy for the honeymoon.”
* * *
“Right.”
* * *
“Don’t you never want to see Italy again?” Nico asked confused.
* * *
Eve sighed, “Oh Nico… I don’t want to go to Italy if it means we’re on the run. We will be safer than we’ve ever been over there. Of course I’ll give your homeland a second chance.”
* * *
“Thank goodness.”
* * *
“I’m full of surprises,” Eve replied.
* * *
She kissed Nico on the lips. He closed his eyes and allowed his wife’s lips to consume his own. Eve’s passionate kisses grew deeper and longer. When she pulled away from him, she had a look of absolute lust in her eyes.
* * *
“Mm, I like seeing that look.”
* * *
Eve smiled but then looked away bashfully.
* * *
“I have another confession to make,” Eve said.
* * *
“What is it?”
* * *
“Did you notice during the toast, I joined Daniella drinking grape juice?”
* * *
“Yes, you didn’t want the poor girl to lose out on the fun alone.”
* * *
“Right…”
* * *
“Is that not it?”
* * *
“Nico, I might be pregnant.”
* * *
“Pregnant?! How long have you thought this?”
Out of Bondage Page 20
