Vittoria's POV
My breath caught in my throat as my uncle stood in front of me. His gaze was sharp and calculating as he looked between me and Ricardo.
I forced myself to calm down despite my heart racing. "What a surprise to see you here," I said calmly, rising up from my seat.
The look on my uncle's face was one of utter confusion. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it back.
His expression shifted into one of realization and then anger.
Ricardo, who had been watching our interaction intensely, stood up. "Do you know each other?"
My uncle's gaze landed on Ricardo and for a brief moment, his eyes burned with hatred. But then he masked it with a polite smile, before opening his mouth to answer.
"We used to be neighbors," I quickly said before he could answer. "His daughter Christiana and I used to go to school together."
Uncle Paolo turned to look at me, confusion evident on his face.
Ricardo was looking at him, waiting for him to collaborate the story, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Is that so?" He asked uncle Paolo.
"Yes,"my uncle replied. "We were neighbors before I and my family moved to Manhattan. "How are you vittoria? How is your papa?"
"He's doing very fine," I replied, relief washing over me. "How about Christiana and auntie?"
"They are well Vittoria, I'll make sure to send your regards." he said with a soft smile, then he turned to Ricardo, his face hardening.
"Don Lombardi," he said, his voice laced with disdain.
Ricardo stared back at him for a moment without responding, then finally he nodded his head in greeting and my uncle walked away.
I sank back into my chair, my heart pounding so loudly in my chest that I was sure Ricardo could hear it. I glanced at him, but his eyes were fixed on Uncle Paolo's retreating figure.
"Interesting," Ricardo said finally, his voice ice cold as he turned to me, his eyes burning into mine with so much intensity. "What aren't you telling me Vittoria?"
I laughed lightly, already prepared. "What do you mean?"
"Answer me," Ricardo said, jaw clenched tightly.
"As I said earlier, he was my neighbour when I was a child, his daughter Christiana and I used to go to school together."
"Hmmm."
"Do you know him?" I asked softly. "It seems like you are acquainted."
"Why was he angry?" he asked,ignoring my question, his gaze focused on where uncle Paolo had stood.
"Was he angry?" I laughed nervously. "I didn't notice"
He slowly turned to look at me, his dark eyes meeting mine for what felt like an hour. I knew he didn't believe me and that was bad, I had only just started my mission and I was already raising suspicion.
I tried my best to hold his gaze with indifference, staying as calm as possible.
Finally, he leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxing slightly. "For your sake, I hope you're telling the truth."
His words were as calm as ever, but the underlying threat sent a shiver down my spine.
I turned my attention back to the band, pretending to listen to their music, but my mind was racing. I had to do something to gain his trust or I wouldn't last long.
The room erupted with applause as the band finished playing. I was still trying to recover from my encounter with my uncle when Don Moretti appeared in front of us.
"Ricardo, how did you enjoy the music?" He asked gleefully.
"It was splendid, Don Moretti. It has been so long since I have heard good Italian music."
Don Moretti let out a boisterous laugh. "Me too, that's why I like you, you always appreciate good things."
Ricardo laughed softly with him. "Thank you."
"Well then," Don Moretti started, "The night would be incomplete without a word with you Ricardo."
Ricardo's body tensed beside me and I felt his energy shift. For a moment I thought he would refuse but then he smiled softly.
"I would have loved to, but I can't leave my date here."
"Of course you can!"Don Moretti said, "or is anyone going to eat her up? Do you not trust me Don Lombardi?"
"Of course I do, Alright let's go. "He said as Don Moretti pulled him along. "Vittoria, sit tight."
I nodded, watching as he left with the old man.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, I was so close to getting caught and after seeing how Ricardo treated traitors I couldn't help but be grateful to my uncle for cooperating.
As if on cue I heard my uncle's voice. "Vittoria," he started, in a stern tone.
I looked up to see Uncle Paolo standing in front of me, his face red with barely contained anger.
"What are you doing with him?"He hissed, his voice low but filled with rage. "Do you know who he is?"
"Yes uncle I do," I whispered, pulling him to sit beside me. "I know what I'm doing, I'll explain it to you later."
"He killed your father," He whispered. "And now I see you smiling and dining with him. Why are you even here?"
"I work for him now," I replied, watching as my uncle's eyes widened in shock.
"No, no, no vittoria," he said, shaking his head vigorously. "You can't get involved in the Cosa Nostra, your father wouldn't have wanted this for you."
"I have a plan uncle Paolo, I'm not joining the Mafia," I explained. "Will you trust me?"
"A plan?" he scoffed. "Do you know who you're dealing with, this is not a game-"
"I know," I cut him off. "I can't explain everything right now but I need you to trust me."
He stared at me for a moment, trying to process my words.
He opened his mouth to respond but closed it as he noticed someone.
Marco, one of Ricardo's men, was walking towards our table. His sharp eyes flickering between me and Uncle Paolo.
"Miss Vittoria ," he said curtly. "Where is Don Lombardi?"
"He went somewhere with Don Moretti," I replied in a calm tone.
He stood for a moment, looking at the two of us without a word before he finally walked away.
"I better leave you so you don't get in trouble," Uncle Paolo said, standing up from the chair.
"It was nice seeing you Uncle, despite the circumstances," I said to him and he smiled softly at me before walking away.
After my uncle left, I relaxed in my chair and observed the crowd, watching as people mingled and laughed. If I didn't know better I would think it was a gathering of normal people. But I knew better, it was a gathering of monsters.
My blood ran cold as I sighted Mr Palazzo, he was standing at the doorway, leaning casually on the frame with his arms crossed over his chest.
He was looking right at me.