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Because of the political advantage she could give him with her last name? Her family, the Mancinis, was one of the top elites in the Pittsburgh region. Almost everyone in this conference room had ties to them. Had Gio's intent seduction of her yesterday all been a ploy to make sure she remained on his side? So she would sing his praises to the men from her region?
But the Capo seemed to think otherwise. “You’re a lot more talented at putting people at ease.” Marco gestured pointedly at the room of men, who were chatting away, relaxed. “They’ll be more open to Boss’s plans and less likely to offend him with his new bride in tow, especially one from their own region.”
Ana observed the others out of the corner of her eye. They had been polite and respectful, but she couldn’t imagine their behavior materially changing just because of her. “You have a generous opinion of me,” she said, uncertain about his assessment.
Marco hummed, noncommittal. His eyes shifted to somewhere behind her, and her skin prickled.
The air in the room shifted just before he entered, all conversation coming to an abrupt halt. Tension crept into her back, into the backs of everyone around her.
“Apologies,” Gio’s voice carried, his black leather shoes clicking on the floor before he appeared at her side.
One hand rested on her shoulder, silently urging her to stay seated as the men rose to their feet again.
Ana swallowed heavily at the sharp change in everyone’s expressions. There was respect, but more than that, an undercurrent of fear. Each of them regarded Gio warily, including Marco, whose previous ease had vanished. Even though he was older than Gio, he bowed his head slightly in deference. The praise he’d issued her a few minutes ago started to make sense.
“What does a man have to do to get alone time with his new bride, hm?” Gio asked dryly, to everyone’s nervous laughter. “I trust Ana took good care of you.”
A statement, not a question. But they all nodded readily.
His black eyes met hers briefly, and Ana hesitated at his indecipherable look. She had been chattering away with all the men in his absence, trying as best as possible to make up for her shyness. None of the men seemed to mind it much…but what did he think? Had she stepped out of line?
Recalling Gio's fierce speech after the wedding, she knew he would not tolerate any mistakes, much like her aunt. Ana had grown up used to frequent scoldings whenever she failed in any little way. So she braced herself.
When Gio simply grabbed a seat and motioned for the others to follow, she released a breath.
“I appreciate all of you staying behind for this meeting.” He met each man in the eye. “I know it's difficult for us all to be in the same city with our schedules, and I have no plans to be in Pittsburgh anytime soon.”
There was a ripple of movement across the room as his meaning became clear. He did not trust anyone in their territory, not since his parents were killed there.
“It’s not a place most people jump at visiting,” Ana murmured deprecatingly, and a few men broke out in chuckles.
Even Gio’s lips quirked. “Regardless of location, I want to unite our regions and strengthen our trade. We are all part of one Family. So I want to hear your thoughts on the businesses I can support.”
“The Salieri arms business is our strongest,” one of the leaders chimed in after an extended silence. “It has been steady over the last two decades.”
That immediately prompted other voices to chime in, everyone shouting over each other with their opinions of the various businesses and which ones deserved the most funds. Ana sat back and observed them quietly. Most of the men seemed to watch Gio right after they spoke, as if checking his reaction to their ideas. They wanted to appear intelligent and valuable to the Don, but always carefully–without toeing the line.
The most vocal, however, was the old man who had sneered at her earlier. He was frustratingly combative, shooting down each one of Gio's ideas. She knew him all too well.
“Are you tellin’ me that Vitello, a loyal man, deserves to have his shop shut down?” he thundered.
“No,” Gio rebutted calmly. “I am asking how a business that is in such losses can keep over three hundred staff on its payroll.”
“Because you take care of family! Not hang them out to dry when the going gets tough.” His wrinkly finger pointed accusingly.
“Then, we find other ways to earn them money. Not by lighting the rest of us on fire to save a failing winery.” Before a response came, Gio turned to Luke. “What are your thoughts?’
“Why are you askin’ him?” the old man demanded. “He’s just a stand-in until my grandson takes over.”
“And where is he?” Gio bit out.
No one said a word.
“Hm?” At the continued silence, Gio said coldly, “If Antonio is not ready to lead, then I will defer to the man who is.”
In the ensuing hush, Luke cleared his throat. “I agree Vitello’s winery is goin’ downhill,” he spoke bluntly over the other man’s protests. “Can’t avoid the truth…but there are lots of investments and staff involved. It’ll be a shit show if we pull the plug too fast.”
Several of the leaders agreed, and Gio countered, “What if we can create a good exit plan?”
