in strictly. "Remember what I always tell you."
"Mi dispiace," Santino mutters, averting his gaze. Father isn't very traditional, but religion has always been present in his life, and he hates it when we take the Lord's name in vain. Out of respect, the five of us watch our mouths when we speak to him, but even Santino's pissed by this news. Nowhere near as much as I am, though.
"Is this a fucking joke?" I mutter, tossing the invitation on father's desk. "They can't be serious. They're making her marry that Donati bastard?"
"It's an alliance that makes sense for them," father mutters, crushing the invitation in his right hand. I take pleasure in watching it burn as he tosses it into the fireplace. I watch the flames engulf the piece of paper, my nails digging painfully into the palms of my hands as I wait for the paper to turn into ash. Just like this marriage will, because I'm going to stop it, no matter the cost.
"They will want control of the docks," father goes on. "Marrying Marzia to Vitto is the only way they can do that. We knew this was coming, Adrian. I can't say I'm surprised myself."
"That doesn't mean it's over," I grunt. "Just because they announced the marriage doesn't mean it's too late to stop them."
I lean my palms against father's desk, and he raises his eyes to meet mine. He's told me no one too many a time. Every time I beg him to take revenge on De Lucas for turning down his marriage proposal over a decade ago, father tells me it's too soon. But surely he won't say that this time. Surely, he will let me make things right before it's too late for Marzia. For me. For us.
"Please, father." This is the first time I've pleaded with my father. It's fucking humiliating, but must be endured. I cannot go up against De Lucas without father's support. He could disown me for my disobedience. Not that I care about that. But I care about my father's respect for me. "Please, tell me now is finally the time to have our revenge."
Father's intelligent eyes bore into mine. I know he's contemplating the answer, and that fact alone pisses me off because the answer should be clear. We need to punish De Lucas for their insolent behavior. It's been eleven years since that fateful day at the docks, and plenty of things have changed.
For starters, our family name holds meaning and power now. If my father asked for Marzia's hand for me now, they would never turn him down. The Bernardis have grown too powerful, and the thought of our rage when they turned us down would make Marzia's parents too afraid to say no to us. But I don't need their approval anymore. All I need is my father's permission to destroy them.
"I need to think about it," father mutters, making me growl out loud in frustration.
"Think about what?" I grind out through gritted teeth. "They need to be taught a lesson. Sending this invitation here is the last fucking straw. They think they've got you by the balls, father. You can't let them treat you this way."
"Figlio," father sighs. "What do I always tell you?"
"That doesn't matter right now," I hiss. "All that matters is-"
"Tell me." His tone is insistent, and I groan out loud, running a hand through my hair.
"Revenge is a dish best served cold," I manage despite the rage unfurling in the pit of my stomach. Father nods at my words.
"It's true," he says simply. "So be patient while we figure this out."
"But that invitation was for a masquerade party in less than a week," I mutter. "They're going to announce their engagement there. Everyone will know. You don't want to make an enemy of Vitto Donati, father."
"Haven't I already?" the old man's eyes sparkle with mischief just as he is taken over by a shattering cough. He pulls out a handkerchief from his suit pocket and covers his mouth. When he pulls his hand away, I see traces of blood on the white cotton.
My eyes fly to his, a silent question waiting for his answer. But the answer never comes. Father pockets the handkerchief and lightly shakes his head to warn me not to speak of this in front of my brothers. I furrow my brows, not understanding why. Is father ill?
"Everyone out," he speaks up all of a sudden. "Leave me with Adrian for a few minutes."
Dutifully, my four