American Dynasty

T W E N T Y - N I N E

Stella couldn't breathe. Her heart was slamming against her ribcage as she entered the dining room. Her eyes travelled around the table, settling on each person already seated: Joe Masseria, with his wolfish grin; Giovanni Costanzo, as serious as ever; Dante Costanzo, smiling sweetly, and last but not least Flynn Dempsey, his usual smirk nowhere to be found as he gazed back at Stella longingly. 

Beppe, however; looked nothing short of surprised. "What are you two doing here?" He asked, his eyes darting back and forth between them. 

"I invited them," Joe Masseria spoke up. He stood and pulled out two chairs for them. 

"I see," Beppe said, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice as Stella and her mother sat down. 

"I know you like to keep family and business separated, Beppe, but I haven't seen Stella in ages. I would like to know what she's been up to this past while. I always remember you being quite a precocious girl, my dear, so I can't imagine you've stayed very still?" 

That sounded like a loaded question if Stella had ever heard one, but she steeled her nerves and forced herself to look Joe in the eye. "I'd be travelling and galavanting around more if my father let me but I've been around New York mostly," she replied curtly. Beppe coughed and looked at his daughter disapprovingly, raising an eyebrow. Dante grinned at her from across the table, his eyes sparkling. 

But Joe simply chuckled and took a sip of his wine. "Feisty as ever, this one. Don't you think, Flynn?" 

Flynn did his best to keep his poker face. He allowed nothing more than the corner of his mouth to twitch before he flicked his eyes over to Stella and plastered an uninterested expression on his face. "Indeed." Stella let out a shaky breath, trying desperately to calm herself down. 

"I don't believe you've actually met the ladies of Beppe's house, Flynn; this is Marcella, Beppe's wife, and Stella, Beppe's daughter," Joe introduced them, his meaty hands motioning to each of the two women. 

Flynn managed a polite nod to each of them, but it did not escape Stella that he held her gaze for just a second too long. "Charmed," he said smoothly, his casual swagger back as he took a sip of wine and leaned back in his chair.

Stella could not find it in herself to act so relaxed. She kept wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt and tingles of electricity were constantly rolling over her body.

"How is your brother doing, Stella? He's grown up to be such a strong and marvellous young man," Joe said, taking a huge bite of the steak in front of him. 

"He is doing very well," Stella said, praying that her voice wouldn't waver too much. "About to get married, actually." 

"Yes, yes, I heard about that. Giada Bertolini, a fine choice for Matteo. And you, Stella, young Dante Costanzo has proposed to you, has he not?" Joe looked towards Giovanni and Dante for confirmation. 

Flynn's cool act disappeared in a heartbeat as he looked at Stella with utter hurt and surprise in his eyes. Stella's mouth was dry as she tried to process what had just happened. 

Dante shot her a meaningful look before replying "Yes, I have, though I am still waiting on a response."

 Joe chuckled and placed a hand on Dante's shoulder. "Don't worry, boy, she's a hard gal to pin down. A strong one, she is." 

Stella was incredibly uncomfortable with the attention she was receiving from Joe Masseria and she was sure it showed. Flynn was still looking at her, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. He quickly placed them on his lap underneath the table before anyone could see. Stella considered being petty and pondering upon Dante's proposal in front of Flynn, but his normally sparkling blue eyes were considerably darker and held a dangerous edge to them.