Chapter 4

A month later

Isabella

Outside the windows, the Kansas City summer sun baked the ground, turning the green grass to brown. If I wasn’t planning a trip, I’d be outside in our pool or lying in a chair on the pool’s deck. Instead, here I was in my bedroom. “I can’t believe they’re making me do this,” I moaned as I filled my suitcase with whatever I thought I might need for a month’s stay in San Diego.

Noemi sat cross-legged on my bed beside the suitcase. “It could be worse. You’re not getting married, just going to help Mia.”

I sank to the floor, wrapped my arms around my legs, and tucked my knees beneath my chin, fighting the chill of the air conditioning on my bare legs. “I’ve tried everything to get Mom and Papà to change their minds.” I shook my head. “I can’t even look at Papà. He’s being completely unreasonable.” I lifted my chin, staring up at my sister. “Did I tell you what he said when I told him I didn’t want to stay with Mia and el Patrόn?”

Noemi shook her head.

“He said maybe I could live in the apartment building.”

My sister’s mouth opened but no words came out.

“Yeah. With the whores.” My nostrils flared as I exhaled. “I called and spoke to Mia. She sounds excited to have me there. She said where I live is my choice. Another option is to share an apartment with Liliana, the Ruiz who is also helping with the apartments.” I shrugged. “She’s not a lot older than us.”

“An apartment in California. Is that safe?”

I shrugged. “I think the cartel has her guarded. I assume.”

“If she’s that young, why is she living away from her family?”

“It sounds like she got some freedom with Mia’s help. When I first heard about Liliana, I thought that she was Catalina’s cousin, but Mia explained that she was actually married to Catalina’s uncle. Liliana is like twenty years old, Catalina’s step-aunt, and a widow.”

Noemi shook her head. “Damn, sounds like she’s been through a lot.” Wrinkling her nose, she added, “I’m so scared for you. I can’t imagine going out to California all alone.”

“Rafaele is going to travel with me. I don’t even get to use a famiglia plane.”

“It’s only for a month. You’ll be back.”

“I should have pushed for attending college.” It was too late for that. Fall semesters were ready to start all over the country. Noemi was about to begin her sophomore year in high school. People were moving on with their lives—people who had choices.

Sighing, I stood and walked toward the closet. “What will I even wear?” I ran my fingers over my clothes—dresses, slacks, blouses, and skirts. A glance down at my shorts and I knew they wouldn’t meet my mother’s approval for traveling clothes.

The click of my bedroom door opening summoned me out of the closet. Tony barreled toward me. His collision nearly tackling me as he wrapped his arms around my hips and buried his face in my breasts. “Izzy.”

I lifted his chin, bringing his reddened soft brown eyes to mine. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“Mom just told me you’re leaving.”

My chest ached as I lowered myself to my knees and took his hands. “I don’t have a choice.”

“She’ll be back in a month,” Noemi added.

“You should.” His cheeks were damp with tears. “You should have a choice.” His little face contorted with anger. “I hate Dario.”

My gaze scanned from Tony to Noemi and back to my brother. “It’s not Dario’s fault. Mia asked for me to help her.”

His head shook from side to side. “No, the day of Ariadna Gia’s party, I went with Papà to Dario’s office. I heard them talking.”

“About what?”

“About you. Dario said it was time for Papà to make a sacrifice for the famiglia.”

Noemi joined the two of us on the floor. “He said sacrifice?”

Tony nodded.

My voice trembled. “How am I a sacrifice?”

“I don’t know. They all were talking fast. I was trying to act brave. I forgot about it until Mom said you’re going away to California.”

I swallowed. “Dario made Papà say yes.” I stood and after making a complete circle scanning the room that had always been my bedroom, I sat on the edge of my bed. “No wonder he won’t budge on the subject.”

“Because he won’t stand up to the capo,” my sister said.

Inhaling, I watched as Noemi sat at my side. “I’m looking at this all wrong.”

“What’s the right way to look at it?”

I thought of my cousin Marisa. “If I stay here, Mom will have me attending all her club meetings, social engagements, and pet projects, pushing me into her society circle. I don’t want to be there. I want to get out of this bubble too. If I do what Mom has planned, I’ll be stuck.” My own words were bringing a seed of hope to life within me. “Instead of dreading California, maybe I should appreciate the opportunity. It’s an escape from here.” My gaze met Noemi’s. “You know, like Marisa was talking about?”

“But…the cartel.” She reached for my hand. “I’m scared for you.”

Tony was now standing at my side. I wrapped one arm around him and squeezed my sister’s hand. “I’ll make you a promise, both of you.” I inhaled. “I’m going to look at this month as an experience helping me to grow up and break free. Remember at Ariadna Gia’s party?” I asked Noemi. “We were talking about being sheltered. We have been. This trip is my chance to see at least a little more of the world.”

“Whores?” my sister asked with her nose wrinkled. “El Patrόn?”

“Papà and Mom have painted us their version of the cartel’s reality. Mia and Jasmine are happy. Mia even said I didn’t have to live with them. I could live with Liliana in an apartment. Papà would never permit that back here in Kansas City. Heck, he’d never let Mom make that decision. Maybe el Patrόn is different?” I feigned strength for my siblings. “Who knows, I may want to stay more than a month.”

“Don’t say that,” my brother said. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss both of you. You still have each other. Noemi is here for you, just like I would be.”

My sister nodded.

“When are you leaving?” Tony asked.

“Tomorrow morning. Rafaele is flying with me and delivering me to Mia. Papà said that Mia would arrange a bodyguard for while I’m out there.”

“After you finish packing,” Tony said, “could the three of us watch a movie in your room and eat popcorn?”

“You want to get popcorn crumbs in my bed?” I asked jokingly.

Tony nodded quickly. “Please.”

“I think it sounds like a great plan.”

Three hours later, after a tense dinner, Noemi, Tony, and I all lay on my bed watching Toy Story for what could very well be the hundredth time, when a knock came from my bedroom door. After climbing off the large bed, I opened the door and found Franco standing in the hallway.

“Miss Isabella, your father wants to see you in his office.”

A sense of dread rippled through me. I’d just shared a meal with my father, and he’d hardly said two words to me. My flight was set for ten the next morning. I tuned back to my siblings. “Don’t wait for me. I know what happens next.”

Wearing the comfy clothes I’d changed into after dinner—leggings, an oversized long-sleeved shirt, and footie socks—I followed Franco down the hallway and down the front stairs to Papà’s office. The door was slightly ajar and golden light spilled through the passage. Beyond the windows in the foyer, the summer sky was beginning to darken with impending nightfall.

“Mr. Luciano,” Franco announced my arrival.

His office smelled of tobacco and books. Papà looked up from his desk. His suit coat and tie he’d had on earlier during dinner were absent, and the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows. There was a tiredness to his presence.

“You wanted to see me?” I asked, standing before him.

Papà’s dark eyes scanned me from my loose hair to my socks. His nostrils flared as he leaned back against his large leather chair. “I think it’s best for us to discuss the next month.”

“Since I’m leaving the house by seven thirty tomorrow morning, I guess it’s now or never.”

His jaw clenched. “Isabella, sit down and show some respect to your father.”

I sat on the edge of one of the two chairs facing his desk.

When I didn’t speak, he did. “You know your mother’s and my feelings regarding the Roríguez cartel.”

I nodded.

Crimson seeped from Papà’s collar. “I expect verbal answers, young lady.” His voice grew louder. “You will be representing the Luciano famiglia. That is a very important—”

“Sacrifice?” I volunteered.

He stared at my interruption. “Responsibility was the word I was about to use.”

“I know your feelings,” I said, leaning forward. “I don’t understand why—if you feel they’re all so dangerous—you are sending me there.” I hesitated, not wanting to get Tony in trouble. “Is it because of the capo? Is he making you do this?”

Papà sat forward. “Mia is the one who brought your travel up to your mother. Aurora believes strongly in charity. After giving the proposal consideration, we decided this would be an eye-opening experience for you. One you can bring back to Kansas City and see our world in a new light.”

“Dario had nothing to do with this?”

Papà slammed his palm on his desk. “Damn it, we are part of the famiglia. Of course, the capo was involved.” He exhaled and leaned back. “I won’t tolerate receiving any reports of promiscuous activities. You are there to aid your cousin with her project. Remember that unlike the stray, you are a Luciano. You have worth that will not be squandered on the likes of the cartel.” He inhaled. “I decided to inform you before you left…I’ve spoken to the capo about Aldo Ricci, the son of the consigliere in St. Louis.”

“Spoke to him about what?”

“Marriage, Isabella. With the dangers we’re facing, uniting outfits, especially with the close proximity of St. Louis, is beneficial. You’re beautiful, and you could be the way to bridge the gap we’ve had with the St. Louis famiglia in the past.”

“Is it set? My wedding?” I asked.

“No, that’s Dario’s job. I am not privy to his timing. I’m certain it won’t be set until after you return from San Diego. I wanted you to know that you are spoken for. Therefore, your interaction with the cartel will be by necessity only. Stay close to Mia and do as she asks. I don’t want you living with el Patrόn, but under the circumstances, I feel it will be the safest place. Mia will look after you.” He brought his hands to the arms of his chair. “Mia mentioned living with a widow. I don’t approve. Rafaele will accompany you to Mia’s home. I want your word that you will reside there.”

My mouth felt suddenly dry. “I’d like to meet Liliana.”

“You will be working with her. I’m sure you’ll meet. Remember, you’re going out there to represent the Luciano famiglia in a unique way.” He repeated, “You are a Luciano. Mia is too, but she has a different last name. The stray…well, she never has been famiglia. While you don’t yet have a ring from Aldo Ricci, you are not available.”

“You don’t want to marry me to the cartel?” I lifted my eyebrows. “Then why did you tell Dario I could marry Reinaldo?”

“You dodged that bullet, Isabella. Praise the Father and thank the saints daily for your fortune. Stay as far away from the cartel men as possible. If I learn that any one of them so much as touches you, there will be a war on our hands that even the capo won’t be able to stop.”