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“You know how I feel about this.”
“I mean you no disrespect, Don Gambini. Had I known you’d be here, I wouldn’t have done it. But I think he looks sexy.”
“So you are not a faggot?” the Don insisted, turning his attention to Dimitri.
“No sir, I assure you. And to be perfectly honest, I only did it for Moira. I don’t really like it much. My preference is to go without makeup.”
“Ah, good.” It seemed to satisfy him, but then he added, “As I’m sure you’re aware, I am the benefactor, the protector of this family. We are careful of who becomes a part of it.”
It was a clear threat.
“If you would prefer, perhaps I should leave,” Dimitri said, starting to stand up.
A gasp developed like a huge wave crashing over the festivities, someone even letting out a small scream of panic.
Moira’s hand firmly gripped Dimitri’s forearm, yanking him to sit down. But the Don had the last comment.
“You,” he said, pointing his fork in Dimitri’s direction, “sit. You have not asked permission, and I will tell you when it is time to leave, but I warn you. I don’t like people who don’t know our customs. Do you understand?”
“Indeed. I apologize. I did not know.”
Dimitri’s heart was pounding. He looked at the ashen faces of Moira’s father and mother and realized the complexity of their predicament. He’d just stepped into an arena he knew nothing about. He wondered why Moira would make him up and risk the ire of the Don. She must have known his feelings.
Perhaps it was a risk she thought worth taking, or she didn’t think. All the more reason to get this train moving, getting this family out of this environment.
Like a male in heat, the Don’s attention was quickly distracted and landed on Moira’s sister, Lauren. He leaned into Moira’s dad but spoke in perfect English so loud everyone onthe patio could hear. Behind him, the two henchmen stood to attention, as if they couldn’t.
“You know, your lovely daughter is not getting any younger. With no husband, no boyfriend, she will soon be called a spinster, like her older sister here. Do you not know how to provide for your girls, your women?”
It was an obvious insult, but not one her father would be able to deflect. So he took it straight on.
“My Don, begging your pardon, but as you know, my household has fallen into difficult times.”
“But you have my protection here. You are safe here.” He turned his gaze to Moira. “Or are there other plans?”
“No, my Don. Your generosity is boundless,” he said.
“Not boundless. Never boundless. And I have much patience, but if your Don wishes to take care of you, make a few recommendations here or there, you would not mind, yes?”
“No, my Don.”
“I think you should consider marrying your lovely daughter here to one of my grandsons.” He shouted, “Stand please, all of you.”
Four handsome young men stood immediately to attention, smiling at the shocked Lauren, her wide eyes looking for an answer from her older sister.
“You could do far worse. She appears to be of good child-bearing stock. She could marry into the family, and I could give them a nice estate to raise their many children. It isn’t an opportunity anyone would turn down, yes?”
“Nor would we, my Don.”
“Good. Then it is settled.” He smiled sweetly and nodded in Lauren’s direction. “You, of course, can choose. It is up to the woman, after all.”
The family burst out in respectful titters. It sounded to Dimitri like they were relieved the conversation would soon change.
After the multi-course meal where Dimitri couldn’t remember when he’d felt so stuffed, the men and women separated. Moira gave him a whisper.
“Don’t let him talk to you. Stay away.”
She took Lauren, and the ladies went inside along with her father and another elderly gentleman while the rest of the men passed around aperitifs and Cuban cigars. Dimitri hadn’t had one for over ten years, and he savored his.
