Page 61 of Christmas with the Mafia
My heart races as I bite my bottom lip because what the hell is happening?
Nico answers for me with a surly whisper, “You say I’m your successor, father, that doesn’t mean I must follow the same rules.”
His father raises his eyes as Nico growls, “I love Regina’s spirit, her independence and desire to be free. She is by my side because she wants to be and not because I am making her.”
Okay, Nico can lie like a pro, but to be honest, he’s not exactly wrong. I am here willingly, even outside of the deal we made.
“It turns out I’m the lucky one because I am marrying through my choice and not because of what’s expected ofme. I would say that makes me stronger, Father, wouldn’t you agree?”
The brothers appear almost amused as they sip their wine, relishing the power play being acted out now, but I am not. I feel like a fool if I’m honest because it’s obvious his father sees through our charade and is calling it out.
Sophia is miserable; I see it in her eyes, and Nico is tense beside me, poised for a fight, and as Christmases go, this one isn’t really that festive.
God knows why, but I stand and glare around at the actors in my drama and hiss, “For your information, I love your son.”
I rest my hand on his shoulder and stare out every single one of them, reserving my iciest glare for his father, whose eyes light with interest.
Now the floor is mine, I’m second guessing my decision as I prepare to make a speech that will probably see me flung out through those revolving doors once again into the icy chill of winter.
Thirty
NICO
What the hellis Regina playing at? This is a disaster, but to interrupt her would undermine her, and for some reason I am intrigued with what she is about to say.
My father’s face is inscrutable as always, and it’s the same for the rest of my family because we are used to scenes of adversity, even over this very table.
Regina glares at my father, and I must admit she has balls as she states simply, “I love your son.”
For some reason, that affects me more than I thought it would. It’s strangely familiar. Like a warm blanket she has thrown at me as she faces off the storm.
Love.
I never expected to like how that rests on my heart. It’s as if for the first time in my life, somebody is on my side. Here for me and prepared to do whatever it takes to protect me. Not the other way around, and I never appreciated how much of a gift that is.
Even though I’m aware it’s all an act, I must commendher for her choice of words because it certainly gets my father’s attention.
“I’m not interested in your money, or how many chandeliers or trees you own. I admit it’s impressive, but it’s not important.”
She huffs, “People are important. Your son is important. I am important, and your wife is extremely important.”
Her gaze flicks to mom who is staring at her in horror, and Regina states simply, “The only warmth, genuine warmth, in this house comes from Sophia. She is the heart of this home, and I admire her very much. You say I must be like her; I can only aspire to that.”
Mom blushes, and yet her eyes fill with tears, causing me to reflect on that.
Regina faces my father and says sadly, “You are cold, Sir. You are the conductor of an orchestra that could play so much better if it were in tune with one another. What is this all worth, anyway?”
She waves her hand dismissively around the room. “It’s Christmas, and yet where is the laughter and the excitement? The general buzz of conversation and the carols playing softly in the background. Sure, you put on a show, but it lacks substance. I don’t pretend I have a family that is any better than that, but it’s made me certain I want one.”
She rests her hand on my shoulder, and her voice softens. “Your son is caring, charitable and true to his feelings. He wants better, which is why he chose me.”
The defiant tone in her voice makes me smile inside, and I’ve got to admire her courage.
If only she knew who she was speaking to.
“I will be a good wife to Nico. The best actually, but I wouldn’t be able to do that under your terms and conditions. I have a business that I’m proud of and a sense of freedom I have always treasured. I don’t want the life my parents had. I want to work for a living, to take care of my mental needs as well as my family’s. Yes, I want a family. But I want one that laughs. That holds many treasured memories of a life spent together, not apart. I want to be the heart of that home, of course I do, but I want it full of love and happiness, not cold, calculating madness that strips away humanity. So, to answer your question, Mr. Ravera, I willnotbend to Nico’s will at the expense of my own because he would hate that person. I won’t let him make my choices and sacrifice the woman I have tried so hard to become.”
She grips her wine glass and holds it up and says loudly, “Please forgive my outburst, it was a reaction that was probably rather melodramatic for first impressions but well, here we are now and so the one remaining thing to say on the matter is Merry Christmas to you all and for God’s sake, let’s make it a good one.”
