The Enforcer had no plans to do that. As long as he could ensure Savannah's safety, he would follow the rules. That was all that counted.
Noah put his hands in his pockets and turned around, giving him his back. "Go, you have a race to win," he said, dismissing him. "And remember that on Sunday there's a banquet. I expect all my soldiers to be there. You can bring Savannah."
Chapter Forty
Watching Savannah try to find her place among all those society people was an amusing sight. One glance and anyone could understand that she, firstly, didn't feel comfortable there, secondly, didn't fit in. Probably, if she wasn't there as Elio's partner, girls would pray on her vulnerability. It'd only mean that they were threatened. The thought that an outsider had enough right to walk among them was dangerous. Each of them dreamed of being married to some powerful man. Most of them would likely have arranged marriages, as well. And here came the girl who was more self-reliant than they would ever be. Straight from under their fathers' roof, to their husbands.
Savannah was everything they weren't.
On top of looking absolutely stunning in her crimson floor-length dress with a slit running up to her thigh, showing off her amazing leg. Even though Elio wished it wouldn't be the case, other men stole a few looks her way, too.
She was way too insecure knowing how little it cost her, compared to the dresses all the other girls had. Her flushed red cheeks were an indication of that just as much as the unwillingness to look people in the eye for too long.
This event was the official way of showing that whoever Savannah was, the Capo didn't feel the need to eliminate her or take any actions at all. It was a silent approval. Exactly what the mafia was all about. An understanding without the urgency of speaking out loud.
For their Famiglia, it had always been like this. Ever since they’d come into existence back in Sicily. Many, many years ago when all the people in the room hadn't even been born yet. Men were always aware of what was going on. From being a little boy, there were always hints about what their fathers, uncles, cousins were doing for a living. Girls not so much. Seeing a gun, watching many men dressed in their best suits going into a room for a meeting, them leaving late at night telling that there's nothing to worry about; nothing happened. That's the way it worked.
None of them really knew more than Made Men were willing to share. And girls didn't really know until one of their siblings dropped dead out of nowhere and they attended their funeral. Unable to see them in a casket. Parents lying that it was just not to frighten them. The truth was - them being dismembered and only barely put together wasn't a sight to behold. There, during the funeral reception, they could hear hushed voices talking something about Anti-mafia Commission and some list. Because their family name had been put there. And they had no idea what it meant, whatsoever. Not to mention that several Sundays had passed and they couldn't see their uncle or grandfather in church while their wives looked nothing more than ghosts, always answering that they were fine. Because their husbands were nowhere to be found. Dead? Alive and only very far away from the justice grasps? No matter - women were fine.
Always there, always portraying some role. They were aware and invested in the true business as wives and mothers. Or oblivious to the real colors of the men in the family by being daughters and nieces.
The Famiglia had that kind of power, individuality and invisibility. And at the same time, it didn't.
Moving to the States half of the operations made became more public. No woman in their social circles wasn't kept completely in the dark anymore. And each man was on his way to being inducted or already was a Made Man. Everything changed just because of Noah Falcone taking matters into his own hands. He went beyond comprehension with setting the rules, yet kept some of the old ones.
Getting involved in politics? Yes. Taking over businesses and turning parts of them into illegal ventures? Of course. Making war not peace? Hell yes.
Outsiders being introduced to the inside world? Fuck, no.
Times changed, some rules were stretched but never completely forgotten.
So Elio wasn't even thinking of being the first one to get it any other way.
And he didn't want to. He cared about Savannah deeply. Out of nowhere, she’d become a huge part of his life. Changed his outlook on numerous things - relationships being one of them. However, that was all for now. He couldn't imagine losing her but it might be the case at some point.
Just not anytime soon.
And not because of Father's interference.
Taking two glasses of champagne from one of the waitresses’ trays, he handed one to Savannah. She wouldn't take it if not for the nerves. That was obvious. Her shaky fingers closed in on it and she shifted.
"Can I ask you something?" She tried to sway her mind towards something else than the number of stares she was getting from people.
"What is it?"
"Your mom doesn't really fit the picture you painted me. How come?"
That was true. Gabriella Conte was anything but prey at the moment. She held her head up high, smiling and talking to everyone. Dressed in a flashy long gown and with a full face of makeup that added to her her overall power-look. If Elio had said to anyone how he saw his mother, no one would believe him. Not from what they saw.
He cleared his throat, looking around whether no one was listening to them. "Women aren't fragile in the open, Savannah. Hell, most of them are worse than their husbands. I'd bet you a
