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She throws it at me, and I catch it, fingering the luxurious material. I’ve never worn anything so nice in my life.
“Put this on. It’ll do.”
I slip the dress over my head, smoothing it down. It is a little big but otherwise fits me well. Nat nods in approval before she disappears into the back of her closet, pulling out a wide-brimmed black hat. She tosses it at me like a frisbee, and I catch it.
“Pull your hair back in a bun tomorrow and wear the hat. It’ll help disguise you a bit more if anyone tries to take a closer look.”
I nod fervently, my throat too dry to speak.
“Now, about your backstory…” Nat sits on the counter and gives me the rundown on Cousin Maria.
“You’re my second cousin on my mom’s side. You live out on the East Coast with your parents and brother, Joey. You’re visiting us because you’re hoping to find work in Chicago because the job market in New York sucks. Your dad is a minor capo for the Genovese Family.”
My head spins trying to absorb all the details of this elaborate backstory. Nat can sense my overwhelm and grips my shoulders firmly.
“Just let me and Edo do the talking unless someone addresses you directly. Then give short, simple answers. If you get stuck on a detail, just say you don’t like to discuss ‘Family business’.”
Nat fixes me with an intense look. “This is really important, Alexis. One misstep, one slip up, and there’ll be consequences. You gotta sell this Cousin Maria identity one hundred percent. Do you understand?”
I nod jerkily, my heart pounding. I have no choice but to pull this off. My life may depend on it.
As we pull up to Carmine’s family home for the viewing, I can’t help but gape at the beautiful home before us. Edo notices my surprise and chuckles.
“What, you were expecting a shack?” he asks dryly. “Carmine may have been a low-ranked soldier, but he was a crafty motherfucker and good with his money.”
I shake my head slowly, taking in the perfectly manicured grounds and brick exterior. Edo tugs on my arm to get me moving.
“C’mon, Maria. Let me give you the lay of the land before we go in.” He discreetly points out the different clusters of well-dressed mourners.
“See those older guys in the expensive suits with the fat ruby rings? They’re the capos from the DeAngelo Family. Don’t even think about making eye contact.”
I gulp nervously and adjust the brim of my black hat so it covers most of my eyes. My head hurts from how tightly Nat pulled my hair back in a severe bun.
Edo goes on to identify members of the Kansas City and Milwaukee Families who had made the trip to pay respects. My head is spinning trying to keep it all straight. Edo leans in close and discreetly points out another group of well-dressed mourners.
“See those guys over there? That’s the Santiago Family from Milwaukee,” he murmurs. “They’re the biggest crew in the Midwest these days outside of the Chicago area. Made their fortune in gambling and union rackets.”
I nod, trying to keep the various Families and territories straight in my head. Edo continues in a hushed tone.
“The older guy in the middle, that’s Alfonso Santiago himself. Used to be the underboss before the last regime change. Now, he’s the king of Milwaukee. And you see the younger dude next to him? That’s his nephew, Carlos. Word is, he’s being groomed to take over one day.”
I study the two men Edo indicates. Alfonso has an imperious air about him, surveying the room like a lord overseeing his court. Carlos stands slightly behind, clean-cut and attentive. Despite his relatively youthful appearance, I can see a simmering intensity just below the surface.
An impeccably dressed woman speaks to Carmine’s wife—a pale-faced woman who looks to be in her mid-forties. The woman has her hand on Carmine’s wife’s shoulder, speaking to her in a hushed tone.
“That’s Louisa, Carlos’s wife. The Santiagos are here paying respects because Carmine was married to Alfonso’s niece,” Edo explains. “Famiglia comes before everything in this life.”
I give a small nod of acknowledgment, not daring to ask any follow-up questions. Edo’s grip on my arm tightens slightly.
“Just stay quiet and don’t gawk at anyone too long,” he warns under his breath. “This is neutral territory for now, but you never know what might set one of these hot-heads off.”
I swallow hard and unconsciously shrink a little closer to Edo’s side, grateful for his protective presence. One misstep and I could inadvertently insult the wrong person. The consequences didn’t bear thinking about.
Edo and I enter another room, and I spot Nat and Damian working the room. I’m struck by how confident and assured they both appear—especially Damian. He moves with an easy grace, embracing people and offering condolences like a benevolent lord holding court. In his impeccably tailored suit, he looks every inch the powerful boss, born for this life of wealth and status.
I can’t help but notice how exceptionally handsome he looks as well. An undeniable air of command and intensity radiates from him. This is a man used to having things go his way. Yet, I know there is another side to Damian that only I get to see—a more vulnerable, almost gentle side that he keeps carefully hidden away from this world.
As I watch him work the crowd, I wonder if he relishes inhabiting this powerful “boss” persona or if he finds it stifling at times. Does he ever tire of wearing that unflappable mask?
