𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 | [𝟏𝟖+]

thirty seven: the necklace.

𝐋𝐞𝐨'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯:

Waking up this morning was rough. It's a day before Ilya and Stella's wedding and every day since that "meeting" has been more difficult than usual. I can't stand the fact that this is happening.

That she's getting married to a man who couldn't care less about her.

He only wants her for her title.

Stella's Mafia has gone up significantly since she's taken over. The Italians and Americans have always been neck and neck, but since she's taken over they've passed us.

Whether I want to admit it or not... It's true.

She's a good leader... A great one even. She doesn't allow emotions or stupid shit get in the way of her own personal goal.

That's one thing I can't take away from her.

I'm driving home from the estate because my mother called for an "emergency family dinner." I have no clue what the fuck's going on. The last time we had one of these, she called it because she wanted to talk about how we "exclude" Vinny and how we need to include him in our activities.

I was 17.

But what mom says goes, and we all have to be at this dinner. Even my father.

I still haven't spoken to him since the Halloween party. He's either been with the trainees or out somewhere with my mother. I feel like he's avoiding me, but I'm not going to stress over it. If he's still pissed about that night, he'll get over it.

He always does.

Once I make it to the house, I walk inside to find everyone already sitting at the table... In complete silence. I feel as if I walked in on something I shouldn't have so I'm very cautious as I approach the table.

My mom has a look on her face that says it all... Sorta. She looks pissed but also seems like she's confused as well.

My dad's face looks blank. I can't read anything. Which is also why he was so good at his job. It's better to have a blank face than a face that tells all.

I look at Vinny and Rocco to see if they'll at least warn me if I'm like in trouble or something but all they do is shrug.

Of course, they have no idea what's going on.

They never do.

I sit down at the head of the table and clear my throat as I take a sip of water. I watch as everyone avoids eye contact with my parents and now I'm starting to freak out a bit.

I go to open my mouth but my mom cuts me off.

"Stella gets married tomorrow," she says which causes me to close my mouth. That effect doesn't happen to everyone else though, their mouths drop instead.

"Yeah... What about it?" I ask.

"I found the invitation in the mail a few days ago... Seems like it's going to be a big deal," she says and I nod my head. "I thought she didn't do big weddings."

"Well," I shrug. "Love changes perspective."

"It isn't love," my dad corrects me. All of our heads snap to him and our faces grow with confusion.