The Rocchetti Queen - Bree Porter Page 0,2

in black than I.

Don Lombardi put a hand on his daughter’s back. If I was an idiot, I would have thought it was a reassuring paternal touch. But I knew it was a warning, and from the tightness of Isabella’s shoulders, so did she.

Isabella said, “My condolences for your loss.”

“Thank you. They are much appreciated.” I gave the girl a grateful look. No, not a girl, I reprimanded myself, she is the same age as yourself.

“It is a shame to lose such a strong mafioso, a member of the old guard,” Don Lombardi said. “Tradition is not as valued as it once was, but Piergiorgio always honored the old ways. Like we do in New York.”

My husband’s expression didn’t falter. “The Outfit will never fall prey to that New Age bullshit.”

Suddenly, voices rose. I turned my head, trying to distinguish the sudden source of excitement. I was greeted with the sight of Mayor Alphonse Ericson strolling into the room like he owned the place.

The Mayor wore a clean suit, with a little American flag pinned to the corner. His ever-present, arrogant grin made the hair on my neck stand up.

I excused myself from the Lombardis and graced Ericson with my presence.

“Alphonse,” I greeted. “I fail to recall sending you an invitation.”

“Don Piero was an important member of our community. I mourn him just as much as anybody else,” was his diplomatic response.

“Is that so?” Alessandro came up behind me, voice deep. He wrapped an arm around my side, tucking me to him.

I smiled at my husband. “This must be a new opinion of his, my love.” I cut my eyes back to Ericson. “Only a fool would dare step into this house believing anything else.”

A flicker of unease crossed over the politician’s face. From the tightening of my husband’s arm, he had caught it, and he was delighted to see it.

"At ease," came a familiar voice. We turned to see Salvatore Jr heading toward us, his dark eyes gleaming. "I invited him."

"And you forgot to mention it to anyone?" Alessandro asked shortly.

Salvatore Jr nodded his head to Mayor Ericson in greeting. "Thank you for coming, Alphonse. Please, make yourself at home."

An interesting offer on my brother-in-law’s behalf, considering this was not his home and he had no right to make such a statement. But I smiled graciously, hiding my annoyance, and gestured an arm to the tables of food.

Alessandro narrowed his eyes at me. I met his.

Salvatore Jr was making his first move. Inviting an enemy into someone else's territory. Hopefully, Salvatore Jr was smart enough to protect himself from said enemy.

Like he could read my thoughts, Alessandro smiled slightly—though there was nothing kind or friendly about it.

Slowly, Alessandro turned back to Mayor Ericson. "My brother will show you to the guestbook."

My husband and I left the mayor and Salvatore Jr.

"I do not like how that went," I told Alessandro quietly as we moved through the crowds.

"Neither did I," he admitted. "Salvatore seems to think he has an actual chance of being the next don."

"Does he?"

Alessandro thinned his lips, which gave me my answer.

I hid my uncertainty behind a pretty mask, greeting a few people as my husband and I glided past. It was a shame I wasn't drinking at the moment—I could do with some champagne.

"I think his attempt at building a relationship with Ericson will end poorly. Perhaps we should let that one handle itself," I said, unable to leave the topic alone. Salvatore Jr was my least favorite Rocchetti (with Alessandro, Beppe and Santino taking the leading positions) and he made his dislike for me clear.

Alessandro had not forgiven his brother for his several attempts on my life. Though I convinced him to play it smart, to let his brother relax, I couldn’t help my slight desire to see my husband tear his throat out. The only comforting thought was that Alessandro had completely taken over security, slowly pushing his brother out.

We reached the buffet. Alessandro passed me a plate, keeping his head bowed down to mine so we could continue to converse in private.

"Why do you think that?"

"Ericson does not like the Outfit. In fact, I believe he is working with the FBI... Well, Agent Dupont, at the very least."

My husband lifted his head, eyeing the other side of the room where Ericson and Salvatore Jr were politely chatting over a glass of bourbon. "That relationship could prove to be trouble. My brother will do anything to anyone to get what he wants."

Adelasia was proof of