Bella Mafia

Chapter 48

Vincent was proud to have such a beauty on his arm, Calli's words from earlier still ringing in his ears and his heart.  Waiting for you to come and find me...her words making him feel worthy of her love.

He watched as she poised herself at each introduction of business partners, other family heads, old family friends and the winery shareholders. 

He'd been so engrossed in a conversation with Paulo Calabrio that the only thing he felt right away was her body stiffen and when he raised his head, he saw why.

F*cking Antoine and Anastasia Mancini!   How dare they have the palle (balls) to show up here!  Turning to her, he whispered "I had no idea they would show up.  I made sure they didn't receive an invitation.  It must have been Agassi."

Turning to Vincent, with the most beautiful smile, she said "We will deal with them together, si?"  He'd never been more proud.  "Si, princepessa, we will deal with them together."

Her father strutted in like he owned the place, standing in line with a smug look that everyone wanted to slap off his face and when they finally reached Vincent and Calli, his arrogance knew no bounds.

"Calliope!"  F*cker was already drunk and causing the guests to stare.  "Keep your voice down, Antoine" Calli hissed, looking mortified.

He straightened up as much as he could without falling over and said quite belligerently "I'm still your father, little girl.  You'd do well to remember that!"

Calli scoffed.   "The Siranni's have been more of a family to me than the two of you!"  Her words came out like liquid venom causing her mother to gasp and her father's hand came up to slap her.

You could hear the gasps from the guests as Vincent's hand caught his hand mid-air.  His voice low and full of hate.  "If you ever think of raising your hand to her again, the last thing you will see is my gun aimed between your eyes.  Capire (Understand)?"

Even Antoine was not stupid enough to defy his Don in front of witnesses, so he bowed his head, still sneering at his daughter and then stalked off with his wife running after him.

Vincent worried what affect this exchange might have had on Calli, but she just picked right up and continued greeting their guests like nothing had transpired.

Not being able to contain his words any longer, he leaned over and pecked her on the cheek.  "I'm in awe of you, fiorella" he told her causing her to blush, which he absolutely adored.

"Why would you say that?"   She had a nervousness to her giggle.  "Because you have more style and grace in you than anyone I've ever met except for my mother.  You made me very proud to be standing here with you."

"Vincent I would never bring shame or embarrassment onto you or this family.  I promise that I will always handle myself accordingly.   You can count on me to be the best wife ever."

He smiled a small smile at her, knowing she meant every word that she'd uttered from her red stained lips.  She would do nothing but honor him and his name.

They were almost through greeting the guests as the last of them were filing through and then it was Vincent's turn to stiffen and this did not go unnoticed by Calli and when she heard the name, it didn't surprise her but what happened next did.

"Don Siranni" the smooth and oily voice feigned respect but it was obvious that he had not one centilla of it anywhere in his obstinate body.

"Dante" came Vincent's cool reply and then a slight glance at the beautiful woman who'd accompanied him.  "Meena" he nodded.

Completely ignoring Calli, the tall, raven haired beauty gushed and fawned all over Vincent, embarrassing not only herself but Vincent as well.

"You naughty boy" her honeyed and accented voice dripping with faux sentiment that everyone could see through, but she was clueless, this self-absorbed woman.

"You didn't let me know you were coming home or I could have met you at our place."  It pissed him off that she was trying to pass on an air of familiarity especially when there wasn't one.

"Meena I didn't tell you because you weren't important enough plus a one-night stand over a year ago is not indicative of a relationship of any kind" Vincent's voice dripped with sarcasm.

She laughed nervously as she still continued to grip Vincent's forearm.  Calli decided to put this b*tch in her place.

"I'm Calliope Mancini and Vincent's fiancé."  She held her hand out only to have the woman scorn her attempt at a friendly exchange.

Ignoring her Don's fiancé's attempt, she turned her attention back to Vincent and said "Our Don's still take mistresses do they not?  I will make myself available to you baby, any time" she purred.

Vincent felt Calli stiffen at the woman's hateful banter but instead acted with class and style.  "Darling, I feel like some champagne, plus a dance" Calli said as she kissed his cheek possessively.

"Don't get too comfortable" Meena sneered.   "He will always come back to me.  Stay married to her if you must but you know I will always warm your bed."

Calli stepped forward, just an inch or so and made her entire family proud.  "I'm afraid you have misunderstood the situation, Ms. Agassi.  You see Vincent is mine.  Body, heart, soul and mind. 

Plus, I keep him so worn out he would never possibly have enough energy to dabble with you, even if he wanted to, which I think he's made this pretty clear that he wants nothing to do with you, so save yourself some humiliation and find someone who's interested in you."

With that over, she took Vincent's hand as they moved towards a different part of the ballroom.  He couldn't help the smirk that was growing on his stubbled face.  His woman had extended her claws and drawn blood.

He'd never had anyone fight for him in such a fashion and it meant the world to him, it made him feel treasured and wanted, a feeling he was not accustomed to until meeting Calli.

Taking her by the hand, he spun her around to the dance floor and it appeared that they were the only couple, as everyone else were happy being spectators for the moment.

Pulling her flush with his body, their heat melded them together making him want her even more, that and the frantic beating of her heart that was still racing from her adrenaline rush.

"Calli, look at me, fiore" he said softly finally seeing her eyes.  "You have no idea what it meant to have you put that cagna (b*tch) in her place.  I love you so much for it and for the first time ever, someone has made me feel worthy of fighting for me.  Plus, it was damn hot" he smirked, getting her to relax and flash that smile he'd become so dependent on.

He whisked her around the dance floor as she giggled and laugh, the tension rolling off her body and turning her into that little girl he treasured so much.

Once they were done dancing, they walked to where his parents were standing and telling Calli that he needed a word with Luca, he left her there saying he'd be back shortly.

Luca was picking up on something he didn't like and met his boss halfway.  "What's up, Vin?"  "Keep an eye on Dante and Antoine.  It's not a coincidence that they both happened to show up tonight.  I want them kept under surveillance."

Luca nodded as Vincent headed back to Calli, his sister, parents and nona.  He'd be damned if anyone was going to ruin her night. 

I appreciate those who are commenting but I would love more!  Thank you!