When Scott got home two hours later, we all went over and convened at the Cattaneo estate to discuss Luca and Jenny's marriage.
"Let's talk terms," said Luca, as a servant came in and set down a tray with four glasses of Scotch on it.
"I thought we did that already," said Jenny. "You want to marry a Luciano. I want to find Peter's killer. What else is there to discuss?"
"Don Angelo's condition," said Luca, claiming his glass before taking a seat across from Scott, Jenny and I.
"I thought he already gave his blessing," I said, but honestly I should have seen this coming.
Olive branch, my ass. What was he planning?
"Let me guess: it has to do with Stacy," said Scott, who was notably uncomfortable with us being here.
He wanted to drop Jenny off and be on our way, but I had to make sure that Luca would go through with this first.
"It's a simple request. He wants you to attend the wedding," said Luca, staring pointedly at me.
"Fine," I said, agreeing without thinking it through.
I was in big sister mode. If talking Jenny out of this wasn't an option, then I needed to make damn sure that it did happen. She wasn't safe as Luca's fiancee. He made that very clear. As his wife, however, she had status. Not even Joey would be able to go after a Cattaneo without making waves.
"Absolutely not," said Scott, outraged at me being called out by my father. "Stacy, can I see you in private for a second?"
"So because he's fucking you now, you're going to let him tell you what to do?" Luca asked, looking between Scott and I with an amused smile. "He must be a mindblowing fuck. Those puppy dog eyes say it all, bella. How long was he taunting you? Edging your pussy? Keeping you waiting for his dick, bambina? Months? Surely not years? So much for not letting a man control you. Now if it was me—"
"This is the asshole you want your sister to marry?" Scott asked, letting Luca get the better of him once again.
"This isn't my decision," I snapped, then whipped my head over to Luca. "I said I'd be there. I'll fucking be there."
Scott grabbed my hand, dragged me to the front door and demanded to be let out. Once we were outside, the floodgates opened.
"You cannot attend this wedding. It's obviously a trap," said Scott, much calmer now that it was just the two of us.
Would Don Angelo really try anything with the dead man's switch still in play? That's not smart. Don Angelo covered his tracks. If even a small part of him believed I might turn on him, he would take the threat seriously. But if that was the case, then what was he playing at? The fact that he was calling me out now meant that something was wrong. I missed something. The pressure of trying to figure out what move to make next was getting to me. It was fifteen years ago all over again and I felt cornered. Forced to kiss the ring.
"I know it's a trap, but I'm doing it anyway. As long as the dead man's switch is in play, it'll be fine," I said, trying to reassure myself as much as Scott.
"Stace, being together means discussing shit. Can we at least talk about this?" Scott asked, taking my face into his hands.
"There's nothing to talk about. The longer Jenny is a Luciano, the more at risk she is. This needs to happen fast. I can handle seeing Don Angelo," I said, forcing myself to make it okay, knowing very well that it wasn't.
"You don't always have to do everything on your own. You're not alone. Not anymore," he said, imploring me to let him in, trying to be there for me the way he always was.
But this time I needed to be in this alone. Facing off with Don Angelo directly after all this time meant no weaknesses. I didn't want him to get involved anymore than he already was. Scott Brady would never come face to face with Don Angelo. Not while there was breath in my body.
Baby does he know how much I love you? What if he's just waiting to take you away? What would I do if he hurt you?
Instead of opening up to him and sharing these insecurities, I pushed him away one more time.
"How would you know what it takes to make a relationship work? You didn't even show interest in me until I was engaged to another man. Then you treated our relationship like a mistake for six months," I said, pulling his hands off my cheeks, each word burning my throat as they left it.
The glimpse of pain and shock I caught in his eyes before I looked away made it hard not to want to get away. When will I stop hurting him?
Unable to deal with my emotions, I pulled the front door open and went back inside. He followed me back inside without a word.
"What happens now?" I asked Luca, standing before him with what I hoped were lifeless eyes. "When is the wedding?"
"Three days from now. You and Jenny stay here until the wedding. Help me prepare," said Luca, pushing his luck.
"She's not staying with you ever," Scott objected, glaring at Luca.
"It's okay Stacy. I'll stay. That's as good as you're going to do, hubby," said Jenny, standing her ground.
"Very well," said Luca, that stupid amused smirk on his face.
He never expected me to agree to stay with him. He just wanted to fuck with Scott's head one more time.
"I want your word that you will go through with this wedding," I said, looking to Luca for a response.
"I've already given it to Jenny," he said with a lazy shrug.
"No, I want you to swear to me, Stacy Luciano, bookkeeper to the five families, that you'll marry her and that she'll be safe here until you do. I want you to look me in the eye and know that going back on your word will make us enemies. You and I both know that she's only safe as your wife now," I said, forcing down the fear to stare him down.
"I will not do anything to derail this wedding, Stacy Luciano, bookkeeper to the five families. You have my word," he said, looking at me and
raising his glass, dare I say as a sign of respect, before he took a sip.