Undressed By The Mafia God novel Chapter 407

Chapter 407: I Am Walking

Bianca placed a hand lightly over her chest. "Oh, I’m sorry. I thought we were past the awkward stage."

Vee almost laughed. Awkward stage?

"I’m just trying to be nice, that’s all, Veronica," Bianca added, her tone thick with too much sugar.

Vee inhaled slowly. Oooh, she was good. She stepped closer, ready to exercise the full legal rights of her tongue, mouth, and lungs. If Bianca wanted a scene in a cemetery, Vee could provide one with excellent diction and emotional range.

But before she could speak, Marco appeared between them like a large, inconvenient wall.

"Miss Scalese!" he said.

There was a suspicious lilt in his tone, he had seen the smoke from way inside the car and was there to prevent fire.

Vee turned her head slowly, lips pressed together.

"Miss Vitale," Marco said, turning to Bianca with a polite nod.

Bianca smiled at him.

Marco quickly took Vee’s hand. "I have to make sure you and Valentina are driven back," he said. "Luca and Don seem to have been held hostage by the lieutenants."

Vee glanced across the cemetery. "I’ll wait for him."

Marco’s grip on her hand tightened slightly.

"You and Val can head back," she said. "Tell her to make sure the staff are prepared for the guests."

"Miss Scalese?" Marco held her gaze.

She looked at Marco’s pleading eyes.

"Please?" he said quietly.

Vee inhaled, held it for a second, then released it slowly. There would be a better day to lose her shit. There would be a better place too. Preferably one without a freshly covered grave, half the famiglia watching, and Nonnina’s spirit possibly hovering nearby with a wooden spoon, ready to beat sense into all of them.

Clearly, not today. So Vee turned back to Bianca with her own sugary smile. It was sweet enough to rot teeth.

"I’ll see you back at the house."

Bianca’s smile widened, but her eyes glittered with satisfaction. "Of course. Oh, and once again, this was amazing."

Marco immediately began leading her away. "Walk," he muttered.

"I am walking."

"Walk faster."

"I am wearing heels, Marco. Unless you want me to meet God today too, relax."

He guided her quickly toward his car, where Valentina was already waiting. Vee slid into the car, simmering.

What did Bianca mean by someone who really belonged? She belonged. She belonged just as well as anyone else.

She had stood beside Luca through blood and more emotional damage than most women would tolerate in ten lifetimes. She had earned her place. Luca had chosen her. Nonnina had loved her.

*****

Luca hadn’t been able to free himself from the lieutenants. Every time he thought the conversation had ended, another man appeared, wanting to discuss the Bastiones, retaliation, territory, timing.

Luca listened with the calm face expected of him, nodding at the right places, speaking only when necessary.

But even while he spoke, his eyes kept drifting across the hall to Veronica. She seemed to be doing well, considering Bianca was breathing the same air.

Well, Luca was keeping an eye on that one too.

The grand hall didn’t need arrangement for it to be divided. It happened naturally. The women gathered on one side. The men collected on the other.

Meals and drinks were served. Veronica managed to oversee it all. She moved through the guests with grace, making sure every guest had a drink. She smiled when spoken to. Bowed her head at condolences. Gave instructions to staff.

She belonged, no matter what Bianca thought. No matter what poison anyone tried to drip into her ear.

Everyone had something to eat and drink. Everyone except Luca. He stood with the men, empty-handed.

A server passed him with a tray. Luca ignored it. Another offered him wine. He refused with a small shake of his head.

He was used to Nonnina serving him. Nonnina would have appeared at his side already. She would have shoved a plate into his hands.

But Nonnina was not there and the Genovese house chef had not gotten the memo that Luca would not eat or drink anything if he didn’t trust it.

(400 power stones. On to 600!!!)