The serpent’s kiss

Chapter4

I couldn’t help but wonder about the outcome of Alaric and Marco’s meeting. It had been two days already, and we were expected to see each other to get filled in. I couldn’t sleep. I counted the ceiling in anticipation.

What if it doesn’t work out? Do we have to start all over again? I asked myself until sleep finally took me

Inside the D’Amico mansion, Marco relayed the event to us

“I did the riskiest thing you asked me to do. To record. How Alaric and his men didn’t find out, I sincerely don’t know. "They are the smartest, and it was terrifying”, Marco said.

“Have you forgotten that you’re working with the FBI? "Surely, we are not people with intellectual disabilities,” Matteo said

“Let’s hear it already!” I said, losing patience.

Marco brought out a sound recorder and started to play what had transpired between them.

“You have so many guts walking into the Lion’s den. "You do think you will be allowed to walk back home?” Alaric’s voice said

His voice was like aged whiskey, smooth but with a bite. Each word was carefully measured with his thick Italian accent, each syllable carrying the weight of years and unspoken threats. I even shivered.

“I… I need..need your help Alaric. I.. "I wouldn’t risk my life coming here if it wasn’t urgent”, Marco stuttered. I could imagine him breaking a sweat trying so hard not to lose composure.

“And what makes you think I would help you?” he asked, his voice sounding like he was in thought.

“You.. you are a kind man”

An earthy laugh erupted in the room as Alaric started to laugh uncontrollably. Soon after, what sounded like twenty men joined in the laughter as it went on for like a minute, and then it stopped abruptly just like it came.

“Kind you say? I would say that’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. No one has ever qualified me as kind before.”

Immediately, the humor left his voice and I heard footsteps and then a slap sound.

"Eh, Senti! You listen here," he growled, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate the air. "You think this is a game? You think you can just waltz in here and disrespect me? I've seen men like you... They don't last long. Capisci? You understand?"

“I would not dare disrespect you Alaric. I.. "I need your help. "The FBI got dirt on me and if I don’t take care of this, I would go down”, Marco said going straight to the point.

“Tsk, that is terrible but what does that have to do with me huh? Alaric asked, his voice threatening.

“I’d give you anything.. "Anything at all” Marco said, with urgency in his voice.

He sounded like he wanted to leave that place in that instant and I understood why.

“You don’t have anything that would interest me, Marco. All your assets are in shambles.”

“My daughter Alaric. She’s my most prized possession. "I would gladly give her up for your help” Marco said slowly, pain in his voice like he had given up his daughter.

“Hmmm” Alaric thought as I perceived a flicker of interest in his voice. “let me see her”

I presented my picture earlier to him. One who spoke softly that Alaric would be attracted to

“She just returned from Canada last week. She’s my only jewel and I would be giving her to you Alaric”. He sounded like he had rehearsed every word carefully as he spoke to Alaric.

There was silence for a second as I presumed Alaric was looking at my picture intently

“She..she should be good for one of your sons, Alaric”, Marco added.

“You think I’d allow your daughter to get married to my family. You are my enemy!” Alaric said

“But I won’t rat you out. I’d keep all your doings”, Marco insisted.. Getting tired of the back and forth

“And what makes you think I can’t kill you right now to shut you up?” Alaric asked with spite in his voice

“The FBI will know you did it because you have reasons to kill me. They will finally have something against you. No tracks would be able to get you covered this time”, Marco warned “I’m just asking for your help, Alaric, it’s a win-win for us. I mean I’m even on the losing side because I get to give you something very important to me.

I must say, Marco deserved a best actor award. He played his role so well that Alaric believed. I mean, a person will go to any length to protect himself.

“Fine! I’d leave my sons to pick”, he finally agreed.

Ugh! I wasn’t some sort of prize to be picked. I felt insulted. I thought he was going to give me to Reinardo. I guess he’s not a bad father after all, but what if Reinardo doesn’t pick me and Zeno does, what am I going to do? Do I seduce Reinardo?

“I guess everything is sorted out now,” Marco said to us, now switching off the recorder. He agreed. So, there’s going to be a formal meeting where you miss Aurora will finally get to meet the Lucchese. There and then, it would be decided which of the Lucchese’s sons you’re going to get married to” Marco spoke to me.

“And if it happens to be Zeno?” I asked with worry written all over my face

“We would have to play by then,” James told me.

No.. No, that wasn't the plan at all. I was a little furious about the situation. I hated to be in the middle of a situation. I felt like a chick waiting to be fed. I was still deep in thought when my phone rang, bringing me out of my state. I looked at the caller and it was my dad

I hadn't heard from him in a while and I felt guilty. I looked at the calendar and saw the date. It was my mother's fourteenth-year memorial and I forgot

“Excuse me,” I said to everyone, and excused myself to pick up my father's call

“Hey daddy,” I said in a high-pitched tone

“God! Aurora, where have you been?” My dad asked worriedly “Do you even know what today is” he sighed, sadness evident in his voice

“I’m so sorry Daddy, I’ve been so busy with work and yes, I remember what today is. How can I ever forget Dad? It's just.. I’ve not even had time for myself” I tried so hard to look for a suitable excuse

“But your mother Aurora.. You..” he sighed

“I’m sorry Daddy, I love you both,” I said

“You wouldn't be able to make it back home?” he asked.

“Not today Daddy, but I promise to light a candle for her, then I’ll come visit,” I promised.

We have always celebrated my mother's memorial each year and even though I struggle to remember her face now, I still loved her so much. She died in an accident while driving home one day, and it felt like a part of my dad had died too. He loved her so much.

We only had ourselves and when I told him I was going away to work for the FBI, he was devastated. It was like the only memory of his wife was leaving him, but I had to go. I was meant for this.

I went back inside only to be reminded of the fate that befell me. I was formally going to be meeting the Lucchese and in that instant, all the confidence I had in me disappeared. I felt reluctant. It felt like I was on my way to my doom.