I nod, and my eyes meet Raven’s. We need to exit before the evening gets any stranger.
“Right,” my father says. “Well, we must circulate. Good to see you!”
“Indeed, and nice to meet you, Raven,” my mother says, fake kissing my cheek.
As they head away, I exhale. “Now, let’s get the heck out of here.”
We headfor the expensive cars parked along the driveway, and the security guards are spread out. As another chopper banks around the estate, I look up. I’m surprised about the money here, and I cannot remember such opulence in the area.
I know little about the married couple, and we didn’t even get to meet or congratulate them. All I know is the groom is from one of the older Tuscan families, like mine.
Whoever they are, they must have some kind of connection to the mob, mafia, or Italian crime families. Either that, or someone knows someone.
Either way, I need Raven out of here and now.
As we get closer to the vehicles, I see Nicky, my cousin. We’d been close in a boarding school in our teens, and we’d sailed on the coast during the summer.
After I introduce Raven, I try to keep it short. I do not want to slow us down, not when we’re this close.
As I get the Ferrari keys out, both Nicky and Raven tell me they need to visit the bathroom. Nicky tells me he’ll walk Raven to the bathroom and that I may as well turn the Ferrari around.
Having Raven onsite is the last thing I want. Especially with her being the hottest woman in the place, and especially with connected mafioso around.
“Trust me, I’m family,” Nicky says, taking Raven’s arm.
As I race off and turn the black Ferrari, I try to keep them in my vision. It’s hard, and as another chopper lands, I put the car in park and tell myself to chill the fuck out.
Sixty seconds later, I check my watch again, and I don’t like it. Where the hell are they?
I climb from the Ferrari, and I scan the gathering under the stars. My eyes sweep the groups talking, the dance floor, the seated people, and others. I then see Nicky distracted by a stunning redhead.
My eyes move fast, and I see Raven being walked away by men in dark suits. I look ahead of them, and I see the choppers. I move fast, and I streak through the trees.
40
RAVEN
As I’m marched between the two strong men, I have trouble yelling or screaming. I don’t understand, but I don’t want to wrestle or be dragged in the dress. The satin will tear, and in seconds, I’ll be naked.
The other thing is, they’re both well-dressed. They’re so gorgeous, there is no way they’ll do anything bad. Or will they?
They can’t get me off the property, and there must be some kind of confusion.
As they hold me close between them, we head past more statues and far from the band’s music.
I spin to look for Dante, Nicky or even Bianca, but now it’s just us and darkness.
Mistake one, going to the bathroom, again. Mistake two, waiting for Nicky. Mistake three, walking back alone.
“Where are we going?” I ask again. As they fail to answer, I eye the two men and yank my arms, harder. They walk me around a small marble courtyard, and now I see it.
A black chopper, with blades turning.
“You are going to taste real Italian,” the taller of them says.
“Get your hands off me!” I yell. “Now!” The two men’s eyes meet, and I yank harder. I have no idea if Dante is looking for me, but at this rate, it’ll be too late.
As one of the guys spins his fingers, the chopper’s blades start turning faster. I try to yank myself free, again, and the men hold me tighter. As I yell louder, my voice is drowned out by the chopper.
