Chapter 2: The Morettis'
The Moretti estate stood like a relic of old-world royalty curved from dark tuscan stone and veiled by creeping ivy that curled over the walls like possessive figures.Iron gates loomed at the front guarded day and night by men who never smiled, their tailored suits concealing weapons as easily as secrets .
Beyond the gates, a cobblestone drive away curved in a wide circle around a marble fountain-a railing stallion,frozen mid-charge, water gushing from its nostrils to his like steam from a an enraged beast.Red roses frame the path leading to the grand entrance,their scent thick and decadant,like blood on silk.The mansion itself was the fortress in disguise .Three stories high with towers at each end and blackened windows that glinted like obsidian under the early afternoon sun.Painting of ancestors watched from the walls- morettis' who'd built empires,razed cities and buried enemies in silk-lined coffins.
Lucien Moretti stood at the top of the staircase, hands in his pockets, black shirts unbuttoned at the throat revealing a tattoo that climbed his neck like smoke. His dark eyes were flat, bored even ,as he looked down at the voices echoing from the palour below .
"Is he coming?". hissed his mother,her voice sharp and precise like a scalpel.
"He heard you,"Lucien muttered as he descended the staircase.
Francesca Moretti stood stiffly beside her husband in the crimson- walled parlor her wine -colored dress perfectly fitted, her pearls flawless, her mouth pressed in a line of disapproval .She looks every inch the mafia Queen ,she was elegant, ruthless ,immovable.
Next to her stood Dante Moretti,patriach of the family,a man who'd once rule the East Coast underworld with a look. His black suit was tailored to hide the weight of age but the cold glint in his eyes had never dulled.
Lucien strolled in dropping into a leather arm chair like he owned the place -which he would.,soon enough.
"We need to talk,"Dante said.His voice had a weight of an order.
Lucien arched a brow."And I need a drink."
"Lucien,"Francesca sighed sharply.
He got up anyway went to the bar and poured himself in glass of Bourbon.
"you're marrying one of the Monroe daughters."Dante spilled.
Lucien paused mid-sip.Then he finished the drink in one go,sat back down and said"No, I'm not".
" You are."His mother's voice didn't leave room for argument.
Lucien didn't flinch."Pick one of the soldiers.I'm not a goddamn bargaining chip."
"You are the heir."Dante said flatly."Which means you don't get to pick and choose which tradition suits you."
Lucien's jaw ticked.His gaze shifted to the fireplace where orange flames licked at charred logs. The silence thickened.
His mother moved closer, clasping her hands together."We've let you run wild long enough. You have handled the business. You have built fear into our enemies,but fear isn't legacy.Marriage is."
Lucien lips curled in a code smile."Legacy?. That's what you call selling me off like a lifestock?".
"You are not being sold, you are securing a bond."His mother added
"With the monroes?"Lucien scoffed."They barely holding their territory together their men are half loyal, half dead and their oldest daughter can't even look someone in the eye.
Francesca stiffened." You are marrying out of duty,not desire."
Lucien stood slowly, the movement smooth and dangerous, like a panther stretching." I don't give a damn about duty, I run your empire better than you ever did. I've killed for this family. I've bleed for it.Isn't that enough?"
Dante met his son's stare without blinking." No, it's not."
Lucian chuckled humorlessly turning towards the tall glass window.
Francesca voice was gentler now. "Lucien... this isn't just about power. The monroes are fractured.If we don't secure them now,the Russians will. You think they will stop at jersey?"
Lucien silence was answered enough. francesca pressed on."Their second daughter Isla is the beautiful one,smart and educated. She's not some weakling ." I don't care." Lucien said quietly.
" Lucien",Dante said,"we made a deal, you will marry Isla Monroe within the month."
Lucien turned back to face them" what if I refuse?." Dante stood,slow and steady." Then you can pack your things and watch the empire you built crumble without you."
Lucien looked at the man who'd made him into a weapon. His father.His enemy.His mirror.
Then he smirked , cold and detached."Fine. I will marry her but don't expect me to pretend."
Dante gave a short nod."Pretend all you want so as long as you wear the ring."
Lucien worked past them without another word disappearing up the stairs, the sound of his footstep echoing through the marble and silence.