ALANA

04

ARES

I walk back to the room that my parents are in and see a new face. I am assuming that is Katrina.

Just as I expected, blonde and bimbo like.

"Ah Xander, caro this, is Katrina" Anita squabbles as her daughter turns to look at me fully, giving me a big, creepy smile.

I never forget a face. It is a curse perhaps. Or a Moretti gene.

This woman is familiar for one reason only. She caused a commotion at one of our establishments last week.

I was unfortunate enough to be present. But not as unfortunate as my brother Aaron, who had to attend to the fiasco when this illiterate hag threw a drink in a waitress's face.

I had simply witnessed it from a distance.

It was a hindrance then, but as it would appear, an important one.

"I was just describing to the Donna, her hobbies are so very genial, she is such a homebody. Always cooped up in the kitchen, cooking something, she made these-"

"I am not marrying her." I say to my father, who gives me with a questioning look.

"Figlio, that is not the proper way to-"

"Papa, era nel nostro club, trasandata e ubriaca, a baciavi ogni uomo che vedeva, I'ho visto con i miei occhi. E grazie a Dio I'ho fatto." I grunt making my mother and hers gasp.
(She was at our club, sloppy and drunk, kissing every man she saw, I witnessed it with my own eyes. And thank God I did.)

My Father growls, standing up with the legendary fury of a Moretti.

The corner if my lip tilts in satisfaction.

"Capo-" Columbo sputters.

"We are done here, Columbo. The future Donna needs to have her honor intact. It is blasphemous to suggest one that is not, I will be addressing this with the board, you have wasted my son's time." Father booms, his gravelly voice seems to shake the room.

And Columbo's tiny heart.

"Don, it was not my intention. I would offer you something else if I had it but I need this alliance, my position is weak after the demise of my brothers, I need this to work." He pleads with him. "I will be disgraced in the Mafia."

"As will I!" Father roars making the three of them cower. "A broken marriage pact! Disgusting." he spits.

"I will do anything, Don. I want to fix this mistake my daughter has made--"

"You have another daughter, do you not?" Father asks making the Colombo's go pale.

I look at my father. I hope he is not going to do what I think he is. "Is she the same as Katrina or is her honor intact?" His question is laced with threat.

"Celine's daughter cannot be any less honorable then Celine." My mother speaks for the first time in a while.

Who is Celine?

"I wish to see your oldest daughter. Now, Mattia." Father says when the Caporegime hesitates, the use of his first name making him paler and sweat profusely.

I unbutton my suit jacket, taking my previous seat as I watch my father fume in his angry state, while my mother squeezes his arm in assurance.

I do not care who it is I marry, it will all be the same to me.

Soon, we see the small girl I had talked with minutes ago, enter. Her hair is pinned more neatly now and her face is free of any streaks.
She walks towards us but does not go to her father, just stands there like she feels out of place. Her eyes are trained down.

"She's beautiful." My mother whispers beside me.

"I think looking at her we can determine everything we need to know." My mother asserts, mainly to the Don.

He nods.

"She will be the future Donna." He declares, making Alana's head snap up, in her families direction.
She then looks at me and her eyes widen in realization. Is she really that unfiltered?

"B-but sire, she is betrothed to Associate Tomasso already." Colombo sputters. I feel spikes of venom in my hollow chest. Probably at the disrespect he is showing.

I look at her again and her head is down this time, she looks pale with fear, her body cringing away from the two women throwing daggers at her with just their eyes.

I glance at her Mother and sister who are both looking at her with hateful eyes.

"I do not know of an Associate that will deny the Don. Or my heir." My father's angry tone is enough to dismiss any remaining doubts about her being my betrothed.

"I do not even see a ring. Have they courted?" Father asks.

I glance at the smaller woman's empty left hand, my ears straining for the answer to the hanging question.

"No they have yet to even meet, he asked for her hand a week prior." Colombo informs.

Good.

"Good, come here ragazza." Father motions for her to come closer. My eyes get caught on her upper arm that has a red bruise on it. My jaw clenches at the sight.
(Girl.)

Stronzos.

My mother holds out her hand making Alana stare before hesitantly place her small one in Mama's.

The Donna clasps the girls hand with both of hers.
"Dolcezza, are you alright?" She asks her making the younger girl look up, scared. She nods, glancing at her father with beady, scared eyes.
(Sweetheart.)

"The Engagement will be tomorrow." Father announces before walking out. My mother says something to the girl, leaving her with a parting embrace, then walks out aswell.

I do the same after a long, last look at her.

ALANA

"YOU SLUT WHAT DID YOU DO!" Katrina launches herself at me, making me flinch away, but father catches her arm and swings her right back.

"You have no right to be angry at Alana, she has saved my honor and this family infront of the Don, do not touch her. She is someone else's property now, I cannot afford a bruise on her skin." He says before turning to me.

"Go to your room, girl." He says and I thankfully sigh, running out as fast as I can hearing my father say,

"I'm serious do not touch her, she bruises and I will not be so lenient with the two of you." he threatens.

My feet quicken their stride, my tears falling freely as I hurry to my room.