Reputation's Play (Book 1)

Ch. 38 The Patriarcas

Chapter 38 The Patriarcas

"It's going to be okay," Luca said for the fourth time as they drove into town in the middle of the day.

Gia didn't reply as she sat silently in the passenger seat. She was focused on the road with her lips set in a deep frown. She had a feeling her brother was speaking more to himself than her.

When Luca woke the next morning to a phone call informing him that the families were meeting and Gia's presence was requested, there was no more hiding what had happened during the night. After a screaming match with Daisy, Luca and Carla sat with Gia to make sure she had her story straight. There would be no room for error.

"Just answer whatever questions they ask," Luca continued.

"What if they ask about New York?" Gia wondered.

"Well, you're going to have to talk about it," Luca said. "Dad didn't let any of them know what the Dimaggio's did because of that video. But I guess everything is coming out now."

Gia nodded.

"At least it'll just be the Patriarcas," Luca sighed.

The Patriarcas were the head of each of the four families. They were Del Mare's council and their words were the law. Angelo represented the Silvano family, Mario was the head for the Dimaggio family, Giovanni Capello and Armani Banano were the other two. Gia had seen all the men various times growing up but she had never had to speak to them. Her heart thumped inside her chest as Luca parked outside one of the grand new hotels in town and walked around to help her out of the car.

"Listen to Giovanni," Luca whispered to her as they walked inside. "Do whatever he says."

Gia nodded. She knew her brother was a big fan of Giovanni Capello. The man reminded her a lot of her brother. Giovanni had never married, he was silent and always watching, and people respected him because of his intellect and level headedness. They had a great deal in common and out of all the men in the Patriarcas, Giovanni and Luca were always seen conversing during social events.

"Will you be coming with me?" Gia asked as they entered the elevator.

"Yes," Luca said, adjusting his tie. "But I don't know how much I'll be allowed to speak."

"Why not?" Gia asked.

"I'm not a Patriarcas yet," Luca said. "Dad's still alive."

A shiver crawled up Gia's spine. She had grown so used to Luca being her guardian, it was strange to suddenly think of him as just her sibling.

"I hope you're ready," Luca said. "I don't know how this will go but I'm praying to god it goes in our favor."

Gia nodded once more. She let out a deep sigh as the elevator doors opened and they arrived at a secluded part of the hotel away from all the guests and staff. Dark red carpet lined the halls that lead into a conference room with a long dark oak table and several chairs. As soon as Gia entered, she was enchanted by the wall of mirrors and crystal candlesticks lined along the front of it. She could almost hear the wind chime through the small droplets of crystal hanging from various heights.

"Ah..here they come," a deep voice spoke up, pulling Gia out of her head. "Buon pomeriggio."

"Good afternoon," Luca extended his hand to Giovanni.

"We were waiting for you to start," Giovanni, a tall man with wide shoulders and dashing good looks, ushered Gia and Luca towards the table. "How are you, Gianna?"

Gia's eyes snapped up towards the man. She was startled to hear someone call her by her mother's name. No one had ever done that, not even Luca or Maria.