Filed to story: Bound by Honor (Aria & Luca) Drama Story
“Dante, Luca hates you. You are his enemy, another predator who wants his prey. It would unravel any semblance of humanity he’s put up. The mere idea that you could touch what he considers his will destroy him. This could be our first step toward victory.”
It could be, or it could spiral this war completely out of control. Only time could tell.
After my encounter with Aria in the restroom, I headed back to Bibiana and Luisa, holding Anna’s hand tightly. Enzo gave me a curious look, obviously worried because I had spent so long in the restroom. I hoped Anna would play along and keep Aria’s appearance a secret. If she let something slip around Enzo, I wouldn’t be able to stop him from capturing my cousin and delivering her to Dante.
God, Dante. How was I supposed to keep this from him?
I couldn’t tell him though. The war with the Famiglia wouldn’t give him any choice but to use Aria against Luca, especially when Rocco found out. Maybe he was a clever strategic genius, but I didn’t like him. Since he married that young girl, less than ever. His desire for the girl had ultimately caused the debacle with Liliana.
I sank down across from Bibi who looked up from the drawing Luisa was doing and frowned. She knew me well. I glanced toward Enzo and gave him a tight smile because he still hovered close to me instead of taking his seat beside Taft. He finally retreated and sat down. My eyes darted to the restroom door, wondering when Aria would emerge, but I didn’t dare focusing my attention there.
Bibi raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
Her voice was a bare whisper.
“Nothing.” Then I mouthed, “Later.”
“Nothing,” Anna echoed with wide theatrical eyes before she smiled proudly at me. I kissed her hair. Louisa grinned at Anna who hopped off the bench and headed over to her friend so they could draw together. Those two were too cute together.
“How are things with your parents?” I asked softly, needing to change the topic before Anna’s excitement got the better of her, or my worry drove me crazy.
Bibi sighed. “They are very unhappy that I’m still unmarried. It’s scandalous in their eyes. They’ve been talking to Rocco. They think Dante needs to stop putting a hand over me. It’s family, not Capo business.” She gave an apologetic smile. “I hope he doesn’t get in trouble because of me.”
“He won’t,” I said firmly. It had taken a long time for Bibi to recover from Tommaso’s abuse. She hadn’t been interested in being with another man, much less someone her parents chose for her again. They’d given her to a monster the first time. I doubted their taste had improved. They were despicable human beings. “Have you considered going on a date? Getting to know someone?”
Bibi’s eyes widened in shock. “You know how it is. It would be a scandal. Even if I were okay with the backlash, I don’t want Luisa to get problems because of me.” She’d lowered her voice and leaned over the table so her daughter wouldn’t hear her but Luisa and Anna were busy anyway.
I touched her hand. “You act like I want you to become some kind of scarlet woman.”
Bibi snorted, and I smiled. “I mean why not go on dates with possible suitors. Or do you prefer to stay alone?”
Bibi sighed, looking embarrassed. “I want to marry. I want love and everything you have with Dante. But I’m not sure it’s something I can ever have.”
“Of course, you’ll have it.” I paused. “Someone asked me about you. If you were already promised anew, or if you might be up to get to know him.”
Bibi stared at me as if I’d told her earth was a disc. “Really? I mean… who?”
I smiled at her reaction. Enzo got up and scouted the restaurant and street once more. I tensed, wondering if Aria was already gone. I hadn’t dared look in the direction of the restrooms to check if she’d left. I hoped she’d change her mind and take the first flight back to New York instead of meeting me tonight.
“Val?” Bibi asked.
I blinked, returning my attention to her. “Oh, Dario Fabbri. You have met him at social gatherings…”
“The head of Dante’s legal team?”
I nodded. “Yes. He’s very intelligent, very poised, and looks quite nice, don’t you think?”
Bibi flushed a deep red. “I never looked at him that closely.”
I gave her a look.
She smiled sheepishly. “He’s nice to look at. He isn’t promised?”
“He focused on his career so far, and as the third son of a Captain, it’s not really that important to be married. His brothers already have more than enough children to carry on the family name.”
“How old is he?”
I frowned. I wasn’t entirely sure. “Maybe thirty?”
“He really asked about me?”
“Don’t be so shocked. You’re beautiful, Bibi, and since he-who-shall-not-be-named doesn’t suck the life out of you anymore, you’ve got curves in all the right places.”
“But I’ve been married before. Surely, he’d rather have a younger, more innocent bride.”
I rolled my eyes. “Maybe he’s like Dante and wants a woman close to him in age with a little experience in life. Who knows? Why don’t you find out for yourself? Meet him.”
Bibi bit her lip. “Maybe I should do it, but can you be there? I don’t think I can meet him alone yet.”
“I’ll be your chaperone, Bibi. No hanky-panky until I say so.”
Bibi burst out laughing, causing Anna and Luisa to look up, surprised.