American Dynasty

S E V E N

Robert De Niro and Angelina Jolie as Beppe and Marcella Biancardi ^^^

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Stella's heart stared racing when she saw Flynn wink at her. She probably should have been paying attention to Dante who was babbling idly about a boat or something similar; she couldn't remember. She was too focused on the retreating tuxedo-clad figure.

She scolded herself for getting worked up over some drugstore cowboy, but her heart completely ignored her mind and happily continued on pounding at the sight of the handsome gangster.

He had three other people with him now; an older man, a young man with red hair and even younger man with blond hair. All of them were dressed to the nines, but anyone could have seen that they were the odd ones out in a room full of Italians. What concerned Stella the most was why they had been talking to Giuseppe Masseria, and why he and Flynn had shaken hands at the end.

"Stella?"

She snapped out of her daydreaming and locked eyes with Dante. "Yes?"

"I asked you if you wanted to come on a trip to Coney Island with my parents and me tomorrow."

"That sounds like the bee's knees," Stella said, trying her best to sound excited. She could tell he was trying hard to keep her interest, but a certain gangster with a confident smirk kept getting in the way.

"Wonderful!" Dante exclaimed, taking her hands in his. "I'll make arrangements! I'm so glad you said yes; I know with you there it will be so much more fun!"

Stella smiled at Dante's enthusiasm. His boyish grin suited him well and his hazel eyes sparkled with excitement like a small child on Christmas.

Several hours later she and Dante were trailing behind her family, her hand delicately resting in his. "I'm so glad you came tonight," Dante said quietly, smiling widely. He hesitantly kissed her hand before helping her climb into the car. "Until next time, Stella," he said formally with a mischievous grin.

Stella returned his smile before he closed the door. He stepped back and waved as the car began to drive off. "So you and Dante had fun? What did he said to you?" Marcella began to bombard her as soon as they were on the road.

"Yes, we had fun" Stella said, refusing to meet her mother's intent stare. "We just talked about all the fun times we had as children."

"Nothing else?" Marcella said suspiciously.

"No," Stella replied, intertwining her hands in her lap. Marcella remained quiet, glancing at her daughter from time to time, but Stella didn't even notice. Stately houses and trees passed by in a blur as the Biancardis made their way home. "Papà?" Stella broke the uncomfortable silence in the car.

"Yes, amore mia?"

"Why was Flynn Dempsey at the party?"

Beppe noticeably stiffened. "Was he? I did not notice," he said, sounding rather rehearsed to Stella.

"Yes, I-I saw him talking with Giuseppe Masseria. I thought they were enemies so why would they-"

"Stella, gangters are none of your business," Beppe cut her off sharply, intent on ending the conversation before it went any further. "You needn't worry yourself over things that do not involve you."

"But Papà, Mami and her friends always talk of gangsters and so do my own friends! Everyone knows their business so why should I not be allowed to question this?"

"Because," Beppe said, searching for any sort of reason that would force his daughter to leave the subject be. "I haven't heard anything from any of the bosses so I can only assume that this matter is confidential."

"But-"

"Per l'amor di Dio, bambina! No more on this topic!" Beppe exclaimed sharply, making Stella flinch. Beppe hated being so harsh with her, and yelling at her hurt him even more than it hurt her.

Stella was determined to learn what her father was hiding but she held her tongue and set her jaw angrily. Matteo glanced back and forth between his sister and his father, anxious to clear the tension in the air. "I suppose there is no better time than now to make a happy announcement." Three pairs of eyes focused on him and his wide smile. "I've decided to propose marriage to Giada."

Marcella squealed in delight and clapped her hands. "My handsome young man is getting married, oh, how exciting!"

Despite her argument with her father Stella couldn't help but smile at how giddy her brother looked. "That's wonderful, Matteo," she said sincerely, resting her hand on his knee. "Congratulations."

Beppe nodded in approval, but his jaw was still clenched in anger. Stella was not a stupid girl, he knew that much. She was curious and wanted to know about all that was hidden from common knowledge, which made him constantly worry for her safety. There were plenty of gangsters who wouldn't be opposed to kidnapping or killing a nosy girl, even if it meant waging a war on Beppe and more dangerously, Giuseppe Masseria.

Beppe watched his wife fawn over Matteo, gushing about how grand the wedding would be and how many people they would have to invite. He was pulled out of his thoughts by Marcella's hand resting gently on his arm.

"Beppe?"

"Hmm?" He raised an eyebrow and focused on his wife who was looking at him with an unamused expression. "Please try to listen, caro, I was saying that we should hold Matteo's wedding at the church, after it all it is a holy ceremony..."

Marcella's voice faded as Beppe drifted off once more. Marcella could talk anyone's ear off when it came to things she enjoyed, like weddings or parties. Beppe became aware of a pair of eyes burning holes into the side of his head. He locked eyes with Stella who was sitting across from him, her hands neatly folded in her lap.

She had been silent since their argument but her jaw muscles were still clenching furiously and her gaze was fixed upon him in suspicion. Neither of them blinked for what seemed like forever; they didn't even notice that the car had fallen silent as they pulled up to the driveway of their house.

The chauffer opened the door for them, lowered his head respectfully. Without another word Stella shot her father a withering look before climbing out of the car.

*****

Glossary

Drugstore Cowboy: a guy who's always trying to pick up girls

Bee's Knee's: good, extraordinary, the best