Chapter 15

I was shocked when I found out that Cara was related to the Ranallos. Not to mention the party we were going to was for Marco Ranallo, himself. It was his birthday. I had a hard time to recover when I found out that he was actually her uncle.

When Cara stepped inside the mansion, she was met with a lot of embraces and kisses, the unending how-are-you’s. Everyone was so excited to meet her again that it got very boisterous and buoyantly chaotic for a moment. It seems she wasn’t able to come to their family gatherings for quite a while thus their initial reactions.

There were a lot of guests and I heard they were all relatives. It was pretty obvious when they all looked like Italians, like her beauty. I was embarrassed for a minute thinking I might be the only one who’s an outsider. Cara introduced me as her assistant even though her cousin brother was staring at me like I’m some object of amusement.

I’m actually kind of nervous and scared of what he might do to me since that night. Though he was the one I aggravated by using his name, he was more lenient to me than Cara.

“Cara mia, la mia principessa! You surprised me!” The Marco Ranallo himself opened his arms wide for Cara and hugged her like her long lost daughter.

“Uncle Marco, I missed you so much. I’m sorry for not being around for a long time.”

“Oh, Cara. You know I understand. I am also glad that you made Angelo show his face after so many years and surprised us with a wife and twins too!”

From my peripheral vision, I see Cara’s cousin brother, Sol, roll his eyes. I wonder if he was also the one who he referred to as Angelo. The description seems to match. I thought as I study their interactions.

“I’m surprised, myself, how you’re able to come here. If it were me, Stefano would have wrung my neck.” Sol said, more like complaining.

“Stop whining like a dog, Angelo. You already have a wife and two sons yet you act like a brat.” My brows knitted together when I saw a familiar man stepping beside Marco Ranallo. He really was familiar like I’ve seen him somewhere before.

He was tall with light brown hair and gray eyes. He was actually the tallest one here I noticed. Their family seems to be gifted with height. Everyone here is tall, even the women.

I hear Sol's wife softly giggle beside him. “I always knew you favor her, fratello, no need to rub it in my face.” He spoke with a fake hurt as the man approached Cara and hugged her affectionately. His gaze on her was soft and warm.

“It’s nice to see you again, Cara. Parties like this aren't the same without our own princess.”

“Don’t even think of putting that hand on my head, fratello. You’re going to ruin my hair again.” His hand stopped midair from almost reaching her head. The man only chuckled.

“Where’s Avery by the way? I’ve been itching to see your wife. I must admit I missed sparring with her. She had gone incredibly stronger ever since you impregnated her for the third time.”

Sol bursts into laughter after her comment. His wife smacked her in warning. The man before Cara scowled at him which made him stop laughing while raising his hands in mock surrender.

“Cara mia, who is this man you are with?” Marco Ranallo spoke, making their jokes short lived. He was looking at me with mirthful curiosity.

“Uncle, Stefano, this is my assistant, Dylan Ross.” She winks discreetly at Sol. He shakes his head in amusement.

“Dylan, this is my cousin, Stefano and his father and also my uncle, Marco. I’m sure you are familiar with them since they are basically the kings here in America.” Her last statement was more of a joke although it was the truth.

“Oh, stop with the jokes, Cara mia.” Marco Ranallo quipped.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir.” I reach out my hand for a handshake and he receives it with a sincere smile. Stefano follows after him and I swear I was nervous when I faced him. He was intimidating despite the faint smirk on his lips when he greeted me.

“Avery, wow!” Cara beamed. We immediately turned in the direction of her sight. A heavily pregnant beautiful woman waddles towards us, eyes wide in pleasant surprise when she sees Cara among us.

“Cara!” Cara meets her halfway and hugs her in delight.

“Damn, ragazza.” Her eyes traveled towards the woman’s huge belly. “My cousin sure is… physically active.” She smirks mischievously, earning another laugh from her cousin brother.

Stefano rubs her head as revenge. Her neat bun is now a mess.

“Fratello! What the hell!”

He comes to his wife's side, an arm around her shoulder. He kisses the temple of her head and smiles at Cara who’s removing the tie holding her bun. Her hair falls in soft waves down until just above her plump ass.

“Enough of the teasing. You all still act like children. Come, Cara mia. I have missed my one and only beautiful niece. I’ve grown tired of always seeing you men here.” Cara laughs. He wraps his arm around her shoulder and leads her somewhere else.

“You should make yourself feel at home, amico. Your employer would surely take her time with my father.” Stefano said in amusement.

“Especially if mom finds out that Cara is here.” His wife chimed in wearing an ear splitting grin on her face. “Hi, I'm Avery. His wife.” She throws a nod to her husband who pulls her closer towards him.

I smile. “I already figured.” I shake her hand and state my name. “Congratulations by the way.”

“Thank you. Please enjoy, Dylan. As much as I want to stay here in the group, I can’t stand too long. My feet and back ache like hell.” She groans.

“I’ll stay with you. I’ve been dying to just sit and eat that blueberry cheesecake. Angela can easily make me go straight to heaven with that cake.” Hailynn, Sol’s wife, wrapped her hands around Avery’s arm, supporting her while they walked towards the table. Her other side was held by her husband who couldn’t seem to stop being attentive towards his heavily pregnant spouse. She’s probably on her ninth month considering her belly’s going to pop anytime soon with how big it was.

“Amore, you haven’t eaten dinner yet.” His wife only responds with a wave of her hand, not sparing him a glance. Sol sighs.

The two of us are left standing here. Yes, I feel nervous and intimidated, especially when you’re with the most powerful businessmen in America and probably the world. Then I suddenly realized.

Were they powerful because their family actually belongs to the mafia?

“I know what you’re thinking… and you are wrong.” Sol came to my side with arms crossed to his chest. I frowned in response. “It’s pretty obvious, amico. The Ranallos are more than just a well known rich family. Believe me when I say, they’re not involved in the mafia. Cara and I’s fathers were Uncle Marco’s cousins so it’s only natural that we’re here.”

“Then they don’t know that your side of the family is in the mafia.” My statement was more of a question.

He chuckles. “They do actually. One of the Ranallos’ heiresses before married into the mafia- our grandmother. There are no feuds on all sides of the family if you’re wondering. Our bond is more important than money or assets. Ironically, our grandfather who’s originally in the mafia told us that.”

I wondered for a moment if it’s somehow the reason why Cara was so attentive to my family. It’s because she grew up to cherish the bond.

“I see your wheels are turning.” He smirks. “You know… you should’ve confessed earlier.”

My eyebrows knitted in confusion. “What do you mean?”

He shrugs. “You should’ve confessed to her the moment she gave you a chance. She would’ve then left you alone. It would have been fine though if it was only me. I would’ve been more lenient considering I have moved on from that life.”

“You mean you forgive me despite using you as an excuse?” I asked almost in disbelief. It’s hard to believe that’s gonna happen. He was the former leader. It’s the reason why I fear him. But then again… the two of us are alone here. He could’ve done something cruel but instead he acted friendly.

“I admit I was furious at first. You could’ve put my family in danger by saying my name without any clue who’s actually behind it. Fortunately, my sister stepped in. However, you don’t know my sister, amico. She plays with her prey a lot before striking them down and you manage to pique her interest. I hope you won't regret what you’ve done. There’s a reason why her dad didn’t give the title to her or why I think she deserves it more than I do.”