Page 36 of The Mafia's Captive

We make our way towards one gazebo, the largest one amongst a few sprinkled around, where a man about Dante’s age is sitting surrounded by women and champagne. A few other men are standing guard outside the gazebo, looking jaded at the partying going around them.

“Dante!” The man stands up with his arms raised. He has a scar across his cheek, but it does nothing to mar his handsomeness.

“Sandro,” Dante says to him, smiling. He seems genuinely happy to see him and they hug.

“I thought you weren’t coming.”

“And miss your birthday? Never.”

“You missed my last one.”

“You were turning thirty-nine. Who cares about thirty-nine?”

Sandro laughs, “This guy,” he says to a girl beside him, “he doesn’t look like it, but he’s a comedian.” He turns to me and his demeanor changes to that of a seducer. “And who is this lovely woman you brought with you tonight?”

“Alessandro meet Corina. Corina, Alessandro.”

“Nice to meet you, Alessandro,” I say, extending my hand.

He takes it and kisses it. “The pleasure is all mine, Corina. Please, call me Sandro. All my friends do.” Dante pulls me even closer to his side. Sandro doesn’t fail to notice this and part of me thinks it’s meant for him to see. Sandro laughs and says, “Nice to see you with someone, Dante. I hope he isn’t giving you any trouble, this friend of mine. He can be a little possessive at times.”

“Oh, you have no idea,” I reply. “He practically has me shackled to him.”

He chuckles again. “Please. Please. Sit.” He directs us to a spot next to him. I sit next to Dante, while Dante sits next to Sandro. He hands us two champagne flutes and then he motions to a waiter walking past, “Two more bottles of Dom.” He turns back to Dante and says, “I hope you brought me a gift. You’ve been slacking for these past birthdays,” he says to me, “I always give him gifts, attend his parties if he has any, but this guy never. We’ve known each other for ages. Going back since high school, but I have to beg for a present.”

“I did bring one,” Dante says.

“Where is it?”

“I left it at the registry.”

“Oh! You better not be pulling my leg now! I won’t forget to check.”

“It’s there. A small box wrapped in silver with blue ribbon.”

“Is he telling the truth?” Sandro says to me, “Did he really bring a gift?”

I nod. Dante had indeed left a present at the registry when we came. Sandro stares at me as if he’s looking to see if I’m telling the truth, and for a second, I feel like I’ve been put under the microscope. Then he says, “It must be your influence. He would have never brought anything.”

“You’re being too hard on me.” Dante says and for the next few minutes they playfully argue about their experiences and conflicting memories while I drink the wine and take in the surroundings. One girl sitting next to me is on her phone. The other two are talking to each other. Since I have nothing to do and no one to talk to, the compulsion to stretch my legs gets to me and I get up. Dante’s hand slides to my palm, and he stills me. “Where are you going?” he says.

“I want to dance. I will be over there.”

His stare says no and I’m sure he’s about to voice an objection when Sandro says, “Are you afraid she’ll run into someone else’s arms?” Sandro’s taunt is enough for Dante to let me go. I can see that he doesn’t like the suggestion that I’m his girlfriend, but it seems as if he doesn’t want to correct his friend. Whatever it is, I like the tight position he’s put himself in and I exploit it, “Don’t worry darling. I won’t go far.” He scowls and drops my hand like it’s a piece of hot coal.

I breathe a little easier when I get to the grass, where a lot more people are mingling around. The music is exciting and in no time I am dancing to the beat. Even though I am dancing alone, I can see Rob in the corner of my eye, blocking any men from coming closer to me. It must be an instruction from Dante. I don’t care. After a while, I forget about it all and concentrate on nothing but the dance and the music. I dance and dance until I tire. When I get back to the table, Dante is still talking to Sandro. Their tone is a little more serious now, but still just as friendly. If Sandro’s smile at me when I rejoin them is anything to go by. Dante merely glances at me and immediately forgets I’m there. They’re talking business, from what I can gather. Boring business. They might as well be in a meeting and not a party. I turn to my glass and drink more. A waiter comes along with a tray of beautiful canapes and takes a couple. They taste even better. I gobble that down with more champagne. And soon enough, I need the restroom.

“More dancing?” Dante asks when I get up again.

“I’m going to the ladies' room.”

“Rob will take you there.”

“Really?” I shake the bracelet at him to say, “if you want to know where I am, you can always check.” He relents and says, “Fine.” All of this doesn’t escape Sandro’s notice who’s now even more amused by us.

“You’re right,” I say to Sandro. “He is a little possessive. It must be love.” Sandro bursts out laughing and I can’t help smiling. Dante, on the other hand, is fuming, throwing daggers with his gaze.

“I like her,” Sandro says, as I leave them, “I hope you keep her around.”

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