American Dynasty

N I N E T E E N

Stella didn't mean to choke on her own saliva.

But that's exactly what she did. "You what?" Was all she could retch out.

Dante looked extremely uncomfortable, still on one knee and holding out an open box containing the engagement ring. "I would like to ask you to marry me?" He repeated, sounding uncertain about his choice now.

Stella eyes darted to Marcella who was trying to be discreet but was wildly motioning with her hands for her to accept the proposal. Matteo's lips were pressed tightly together as he shook his head. Beppe looked rather embarrassed at the outburst and was pleading to Stella with his eyes to end this awkward moment as quickly as possible.

"I-I..." Stella stammered, covering her mouth with her hand.

"Absolutely!" Stella's head snapped up at her mother's voice. Marcella stood up from her chair and approached her daughter, a determined glint in her eyes. "She's just nervous, she's always had feelings for you. "Isn't that right, Stella?" Marcella shot her a pointed, calculating look, as if to say Mother knows best. Listen to mother. Do as mother says.

"I'm glad that you're so...er, supportive of this, Marcella, but I would rather have Stella's answer," Dante cut in, taking Stella's hand. "What do you say, mia amor?"

Stella could feel Marcella's fingernails digging into her shoulders like a vulture's talons. "I...can I have a few days to think about it?" She asked uneasily, wincing when Marcella's grip tightened. '

"Of course you may," Dante said kindly. He stood up and caressed her cheek. "Take all the time you need." He pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek before following his haughty parents out of the dining room with Beppe and Marcella trailing behind them, apologizing profusely for Stella's odd behaviour.

"We will have words later, young lady," Marcella snapped quietly, her previously pleasant demeanor nowhere to be found. She hurried after Luciana down the corridor, her long skirt trailing behind her.

Only Matteo remained, his expression a mix of mild satisfaction and concern. "You don't want to marry him, do you?" He asked, his quiet voice the only comfort to Stella's scattered mind.

Stella tried to take a couple of deep breaths and appear stoic, but tears began to slowly run down her cheeks.

"Stella?" Matteo asked apprehensively, holding his arms out. She threw herself into his embrace, taking in his comforting scent. "Don't cry little star, it's just a marriage proposal," he murmured as he stroked the hair on her head.

Stella sniffled and buried her face into his chest, not caring if she was smudging makeup all over his shirt. "It's not just that," she croaked. She looked up at her older brother with tear-filled eyes. "I have feelings for someone else."

"You do? Who?" Matteo asked curiously.

Stella shook her head and hiccupped. "It doesn't even matter. We could never be together," Stella said bitterly.

Matteo pulled away and held her at arm's length. "Stella, what on Earth are you babbling about?" He asked, his dark eyes filled with worry.

Stella gazed up at Matteo, an internal battle raging in her mind about whether to tell him or not. Matteo, her dear brother and the only person she truly trusted.

"Do you remember that man from the Constanzos' party?" Stella asked.

Recognition flashed in Matteo's eyes. "I do; that good-looking gent who couldn't tear his eyes off of you?"

"Yes," Stella said shakily, bringing her hand up to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"You fell in love after one night?" Matteo asked in shock. Stella pressed her lips together timidly. "Unless you've been seeing him secretly," Matteo deduced, raising an eyebrow. "Who is he, Stella?"

Stella clenched and unclenched her jaw. She looked over her shoulder to make sure her parents weren't within earshot, but they were nowhere to be seen. She squeezed her eyes shut and whispered, barely audible. "Flynn Dempsey."

Silence.

She opened her eyes to see Matteo frozen, a flabbergasted and horrified look on his face. "Flynn Dempsey?!" He hissed.

Stella shoved her hand over his mouth. "Be quiet!" she said sharply.

"Stella, have you gone mad?" Matteo had lowered his voice, but that hadn't made his tone any less reprimanding and angry. "Dempsey is a murderous, immoral, heartless gangster! I'm not even sure if he's capable of loving!"

Stella tried not to let it show that she was hurt by his words. "He's different when he's with me. I know the stories but I'm telling you, he's different. He's-he's kind, and thoughtful. I feel safe when I'm with him."

"Stella, I don't think you realize how much danger you're putting yourself in," Matteo said, his face dead serious. "No matter how safe you feel that won't save you from the gangs." Stella opened her mouth to protest but Matteo plowed on. "He's one of the most dangerous men in America, right up there with Salvatore D'Aquila and Giuseppe Masseria! He's killed people, Stella."

"So has Papà," Stella shot back before she could stop herself.

Matteo went still as his eyes widened. "I beg your pardon?" Stella sucked her cheeks in and stayed silent. "Just where did you hear this?" Matteo asked suspiciously.

Stella sighed and relented. "Do you remember that double murder a few months ago? Those two Irish mob bosses?"

"Yes," Matteo said. His eyebrows shot up when he realized what Stella was insinuating.

"You're not going to try to tell me that that was padre who killed them, are you?" Stella solemly nodded her head. "At least that's what the Mob thinks. Not to mention Papà has a gun in his desk."

"You snooped through his things?" Matteo hissed in an accusatory tone.

"I was suspicious!" Stella protested. "I thought he was hiding things from us and I was right."

Matteo studied his sister tentatively. "Stella, even if Papà is hiding things from us...it is not up to you to deal with it."

"Wait-w-hat? O-of course it is!" Stella spluttered.

"No, it's not," Matteo said firmly. "Let me deal with it. I won't have you putting yourself in danger, Stella. I'm your older brother and it's my job to protect you. Starting with the company you keep." Matteo held Stella's arms in his large hands. "Flynn Dempsey is a disease, Stella, a virus that will do nothing but eat away at you. He endangers you and I can't have that."

"Matteo-" "That's final, Stella," Matteo cut her off, a note of finality in his voice. "I forbid you to see Flynn Dempsey ever again."