Page 51 of Alessia
We walk through the double doors into the lounge of The Ebell. The room is filled with light through the large floor to ceiling windows, it brings out the ornate engraved ceiling. Rich dark floors make the place look regal. Throughout the grand space tables are already filled with guests and on the far end a podium is set up. In the middle of the room there’s an open space where people are able to mingle and dance later in the evening.
We search for our names on the place settings and find that we’re at one of the tables closest to the podium.
Harper
I look around the room and I recognize a few of the Dons and their right-hand men from the meeting earlier this week. Every family has their own tables, I hear people talking in all type of different languages and accents.
“So, are these all mafia families from the states?” I lean over to Alessia.
“Most of them. I see some have brought over their people from Italy and I see some people of the Canadian branches.” Alessia replies.
“So… This is kind of a big deal then?”
“Yes, it is. All the families are somehow connected. And seeing as the DiSanti family is the leading family, people come to pay respect. And to see if they can stir trouble of course.”
“How often do you do these kinds of events?”
“The last one for our family was fifty years ago when my father received his crown.”
“And for the other families?”
“For them we do it differently, it’s much smaller, it’s more of a little gathering of the Dons for the new head of that family to declare the oath too them.”
I just nod.
Lorenzoand Bella join our table and I stand to hug them both. Lorenzo gives me a big bear hug and lifts me off the ground.
“You look amazing, Harper!” He proclaims.
He puts me back down on the ground and I turn to give Bella a hug. She’s wearing a loose navy ballgown with a puffy skirt and a sweetheart neckline, she looks like a princess with her hair in tight brown curls.
“Did you have to bring a date to this?” Alessia says to Lorenzo, her voice filled with irritation because of the woman next to him.
“Does it matter? It’s not like the world doesn’t know who or what we are and do. Those cops outside are all paid for by us. So, me taking somebody as my date shouldn’t be the end of the world. This is Amelia by the way, so nice of you to ask.”
“Hi, Amelia, I’m Harper.” I stick out my hand to shake hers. Everyone takes their seat and the MC takes the stage. We’ll start off with a five-course dinner, afterwards Alessia will speak the oath. It’s crazy how my life flipped like this and now I’m a part of some mafia coronation of my girlfriend.
During dinner we get to know Amelia and we talk about simple things like clothes and books.
The sun has already set when the MC invites Alessia and the other Dons out on stage. The Don that I know as Don Manchini takes the microphone.
“Welcome families, welcome guests. Seeing as Don DiSanti has passed recently, I will have the honor to crown your new queen. But first miss DiSanti must speak the oath.” He hands her the mic and holds out a bible to her. Alessia lays her right hand on the bible and speaks.
“In the presence of those who walk the same shadowed path, I swear on my blood, my soul, and my life.
I vow eternal loyalty to the Family,
To stand by my brothers and sisters through fire and betrayal.
The secrets of our world are sealed within my heart.
Not even death will loosen my tongue.
I shall honor the chain of command,
Defend the Family’s name,
And execute its will without question or hesitation.
