Weaponizing Wren

1 - Wren

~ One Year Earlier ~

"We need to talk about your marriage to Matteo," my father says from across the table.

"He's right next to me, dad, you don't have to talk about him like he's not in the room," I roll my eyes.

"Wren," father warns with a hardened tone. Of course, how dare I catch an attitude with the great Eduardo Patelli. How dare I roll my eyes at the Don of the Patelli Family. I internally roll my eyes again, but fix a smile upon my face.

"Sorry father. What would you like to discuss?" My voice sounds so fake to my own ears, but to anyone else, I sound like the perfect little mafia princess that they expect me to be.

"We are thinking of pushing the wedding up to next month," Matteo interjects.

"What?" I exclaim. "But it wasn't supposed to be until next year!"

"Don Patelli and I agree that it would be more beneficial to marry sooner," he says.

"More beneficial for what? There's no reason we can't wait until next year. It's not like we're actually taking power for at least another five years anyways. He's only fifty-two."

"Watch your tone with me," Matteo scowls, clenching his jaw.

"You're not the Don," I retort.

"Wren—"

Dad cuts Matteo's threat short, "I think it would be good for you both to settle into your marriage before Matteo takes his position as the new Don."

"Wait, you mean before we take power, right?" I ask, emphasizing the word "we".

"Wren," dad sighs, "Matteo and I have decided it would be best for you to stay out of the business."

"Oh really? And when the fuck was this discussed?" I ask, standing up from my seat and slamming my hands on the table. "Because as I recall, you told me that as long as I married Matteo, I could work alongside him. I will not be stuck in a bedroom for the rest of my life. Especially not after training so hard to be everything you expect."

"You know nothing about training. You know nothing about work, or how this family is run. Stop whining and sit down like the respectful young lady you're supposed to be," Matteo scolds me.

"You haven't told him?" I look at father and laugh. "You were going to push the wedding up to next month, and you haven't even told him?" Sarcastic laughter falls from my lips as I shake my head.

"Wren. We can talk about this later," dad states.

"No, I think I want to talk about this now. What was the plan, daddy-o? Were we never going to tell him? As my soon-to-be-husband, I figured he would be let in on our lovely little family secret."

"Wren! Shut your mouth and go to your room. Now!" he yells.

"What is she talking about, Don Patelli?" Matteo asks.

"Nothing," father glares at me.

"If this is about your secret weapon, Don, then I can assure you that your secret is safe with me."

"Do not ask about that ever again," father says, directing his glare to Matteo instead of me. "There is one person in this world that knows anything about that, and it is me. I will take that secret to the grave with me. If you want power, Matteo, you will have to prove yourself as Don without my help."

"I understand. Apologies for any disrespect. I did not intend it."

Father nods at Matteo, then turns his attention back to me. "Go to your room, Wren. I will be up to talk to you later tonight."