Chapter 6: After party

Lexi's POV.

My jaw dropped as he glared at me. As I stared, wide eyed, back, there was no denying the raw hatred in his eyes.

“This wedding is a fake!” Luca yelled out. “Father, this cannot be accepted…you!” He faced me once again, pointing his finger hard at me with disdain.

Then he dashed forward towards me. My heart raced and I gasped while tripping backward.

Before he could reach me, some men jumped out of nowhere to block his path, denying him access to me.

A collective gasp resounded from the onlookers.

“This is a plot against me! I won't accept this!” Luca continued to yell even whilst struggling with the men.

My heart was still racing and my eyes darted around. What would I do if he spilled the beans? I was in the territory of deadly people.

“May I ask what the meaning of this is, cousin? Or has your jealousy run so deep that it has driven you to sabotage my wedding?” A deep voice sounded right next to me.

It was Leonardo. Luca is his cousin? Could there be any more surprises today?

Leonardo stood rigid as he spoke.

“If you won't celebrate with me, then I advise you to show yourself the way out now.” He said, his tone menacing.

Luca chuckled, then cracked a laughter, before transforming into a full blown maniacal laughter.

“Luca!” Another voice called, drawing everyone's attention. Don Morano was off his seat.

“You will either celebrate this day with your cousin or get the fuck out of here! You lost your chance of becoming the next leader of this family but you cannot find honour in your loss, you're a disgrace!” Don Morano spat.

Shock was widely written all over Luca's face. He glanced around at various faces and nodded slowly. As he stepped backwards slowly, a smile rose on his lips.

“This isn't over.” He said before leaving.

A few seconds of silence reigned just before Don Morano broke it.

“Well don’t stop the celebration now! Go on!”

Leonardo and I faced each other while the priest resumed the procession.

The ring bearer came with the rings. I took mine and inserted it into Leonardo's finger and he did the same to me.

A loud cheer erupted. As I looked into his cold eyes, I knew the deal was sealed. We were married.

**

Late evening in the majestic mansion of the Morano's. Lights and music was buzzing from every corner of the massive living room.

A golden chandelier was hung above. It was luxurious and stunning. A small testament to the wealth this family possessed.

If only they all knew that the wedding between Leonardo and I was nothing but a simple transaction, a short one at that.

As I sat on an armchair at a corner, slowly sipping a glass of wine, I wondered what kind of business a Mafia family like this one was into.

No doubt illegal activities were involved but that could not only be their source of wealth, right?

I had just been introduced to a few members of the family and I told Leonardo that I needed a small break from the crowd. I worked in a casino club with a lot of crowd so that was a lie. I simply wanted to observe from here.

My eyes locked on a particular short haired woman. According to Leonardo, she was the Don’s daughter, his first child and Luca's immediate elder sister. He had warned me to keep my distance from her.

“Ma'am, Leonardo wants you with him.” one of Leonardo’s men, crouching next to me, said. I flinched, he came out of nowhere.

Without question, I rose to my feet and followed the man to my newly wedded husband. He was standing with an older man with an extravagantly curved mustache.

“Ah…if it isn't the future Lady Morano herself.” The older man said with a warm smile as soon as I joined them. I took his outstretched hand.

“Lexi, this is Marco, the counselor to the Don.” Leonardo introduced and placed his hand on the small of my back. I could not shake off the slight shivers that followed.

“I have to say, it seems strange as to why the Underboss hasn't told anyone in the family about you until today.” Marco said, still maintaining his smile.

My eyes narrowed. He was doing what Leonardo said most would try to do -prying. Try to get information out of me. But like we planned, I was not going to dish any out.

So I put on a smile and said, “You know Leo, always loves surprises.”

“You're very right.” Marco said and laughed, Leonardo and I joined in.

Just then, a lady joined us. She was also older and she looked like she got hit by a make-up truck with that painting on her face.

“And this is my wife, Maria. Maria, meet the newest member of the family.” Marco said.

“Nice to finally meet Leonardo's mystery girl.” Maria said and pulled me into a tight embrace.

Mystery girl?

The hug was beginning to choke so I had to forcibly disengage myself.

“So, how long have you known my favourite Morano?” Maria asked as she openly rubbed Leonardo’s arm.

I almost laughed out when Leonardo stylishly pulled her hand off.

“Um…”

“Don't tell me you guys want to keep that a secret too.” Maria cut me off and laughed.

I glanced at Leonardo for help but he shook his head slightly. She seemed unwell mentally.

“What about your mother? We only got to see your father today.” She continued but Leonardo interrupted her.

“Lexi and I have to greet other people, we’ll leave now.” He said and pulled me along with him.

“You should avoid her, she is trouble.” Leonardo muttered as we weaved our way through the crowd.

“Speaking of trouble, where's my father?” I asked.

“Taken home like you asked.” Leonardo said, all the while not facing me.

Keeping Dad around would only give people like Maria chances to press him for information and neither Leonardo or myself would like that.

We went to the dining hall where Don Morano and the captains were having a feast. Leonardo and I sat side by side.

“Let's make a toast to the newest couple in the family!” One of the captains bellowed and the rest cheered with raised glasses.

Their faces held nothing but happiness. There was no sign that revealed their true nature. They seemed like a normal family.

We ate, drank and laughed. After some minutes, Don Morano rose.

“Both of you, come with me.” He said, drunkenly pointing at Leonardo and I.

We followed him back to the living room while he climbed a higher platform. With a wave of his hand, the music and cheering died out. All attention was on him.

“To become the next Don of this great family, I threw out a fucking challenge. Anyone between my son, Luca and Leonardo who brings home a wife first gets to become the Don.” He sipped from his glass, then pointed it at Leonardo.

“Leo won. Here's his gorgeous wife. And now, I, D’Angelo Morano, declare my nephew, Leonardo Morano, next Don of the Moranos!” His voice reverberated through the walls of the living room, arousing a collective cheer from the crowd.

“And let's not forget his wife. She will be the Lady!” D’Angelo yelled again, arousing another round of applause.

The crowd continued to cheer and clank the glasses. I got carried away and by the time I looked at my side, I could not find Leonardo again.

Don Morano was also absent.

I decided to spend my alone time drinking and avoiding as many conversations as I could. But I did not indulge in too many drinks.

As I leaned on the wall and watched some men dominating the dance floor with mad steps, I felt a presence beside me.

“Pretty comfortable around here for someone who isn't from a crime family.”

I stood upright to see the lady clearly. She had shoulder length sleek black hair and the look on her face did not spell friendly.

“I’m sorry, I don't think Leo has introduced you to me yet.” I said, trying to sound polite.

“Hmm, maybe that's because he didn't see the need to, since I'm the sister of the man he stole the spotlight from.” she spat with a sneer.

Oh, Luca's sister. That explained the tone.

“You should know that not everyone buys that shit you're selling. Especially not me.” She continued and leaned closer to me.

“I know the kind of game you're both playing. A little deal to send my brother out of the picture. But know this, he is the real heir of this family, nothing, no one, can take that away. Not even a crappy citizen like you.” She eyed me with disdain. I could tell she had the urge to strangle me on the spot. But not in front of all these people.

“Lexi.” A familiar voice called and the lady instantly straightened up.

“Oh Leo, I was just congratulating Lexi. Apparently, you forgot to introduce me.”

Her facial expression was totally switched and she was giving wide smiles to Leonardo.

“I didn't forget a thing, Greta.” Leonardo responded in a cold manner before pulling me away along with him.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“My house.” He said as we exited the living room. I glanced back and saw Greta still standing on the spot, giving me the most deadly glares I have ever seen.

She meant business.