THE ITALIAN MAFIA'S KARMA

Chapter 84: ROOM FOR GOD’S

The inside of la salla della corona bubbled with energy, as guests began to arrive.Chandeliers in black and gold, which was the de Luca colour, graced the ceiling.

The walls projected gold constellations that moved and shifted every time someone walked by.

Long banquet tables lined up in the hall, covered in reflective velvet fabric. And on the tables were cutleries, and crystal glasses.

Every angle smelled of jasmine, and sweet wine.

The gates of Aurivilla opened, and the guests arrived in the grandest style.

Bankers, arm dealers, shipping kings, and underground lords- one after the other, their expensive cars trooped in.

"So many people honoured your invite in such short notice," Vittorio whispered to Luciano, as they crossed over into the room to begin interacting with the guests that had arrived so far.

"But none of the lords have arrived yet," he replied with a frown.

"They’ll come. That I’m very sure of. The one thing I’m concerned about is how Valentina fits into any of this."

Luciano paused, and smiled. "Why? She’s bait," he simply said.

Vittorio’s eyes flashed. "Of course she is." He bobbed his head.

Lyon, the head of security, approached them.

"Luce, I have something for you," he said.

"Show me," Luciano commanded, growing serious in a flick.

"These are our cameras planted from the entrance gate down to the hall. They just captured this car."

"Whose car am I supposed to be looking at?" Luciano questioned.

"Our very first lord, Luce. Lord Niccolo," he said.

Luciano cracked a smile. "That’s family. He should have been here sooner."

"Go, I’ll welcome him," Vittorio said when he followed Luciano’s gaze to a man who had just been ushered in.

"Thanks fratello." He tapped his shoulders, and them moved ahead towards the man.

"LuceNera!"

Giovanni Ferrari called out with a twinkle in his eyes.

They hugged, and he laughed pleasantly as they separated.

Luciano turned to Helena. "You look stunning, signora," he said, as he held her hand to his lips.

He placed a charming kiss on it that had Helena blushing.

"You better be careful now Luciano, before I’m tempted to take my daughter’s place."

They all laughed at what Luciano hoped was a joke.

Daniela was already such a handful.

"Speaking of Daniela, where is she?" Giovanni asked, looking around.

Luciano sighed. "You know how women are when it comes to events. Doesn’t matter if it’s theirs. They take their time," he explained.

"Can I be taken to her please? I need to see my princess before she arrives."

"Yeah sure we ca–"

The music tempo changed, and everyone, as if preplanned, looked towards the staircase.

Daniela, escorted by Aurora and a bodyguard descended the stairs.

Luciano’s eyes flickered, as he stared at the woman who was to become his wife soon.

Her dress was the immaculate embodiment of couture perfection. Gold, Floor length, with bodice snatching her torso.

Her hair was sleeked back into a tight bun, and pure diamond earrings that matched with her necklace dangled in her ear.

Behind her, Aurora went simple with her feathery blue goddess cut dress.

Between the two, everyone, even strangers that didn’t know who was who, could tell who the bride to-be was.

Daniela went straight to Luciano, and curtsey before him.

"You look stunning amore," he said, as he kissed her lightly on the lips.

The guests clapped and cheered around them.

From a distance, Salvatore rolled his eyes. Because he knew for sure, things would get very messy, very soon at the party.

It wasn’t long after lord Niccolo walked into the hall.

"Fratello!" He went straight to Luciano, and they hugged. "You bastard! I can’t believe anyone is crazy enough to marry you." He chuckled as they separated.

"Tell me about it," Luciano laughed, but then grew serious soon enough. "I’m glad you came."

"Couldn’t miss it for the world. And guess what?"

Luciano sighed. "I know that tone. What?"

"Lorenzo Barone was right behind me."

Luciano’s face turned into a scowl instantly, causing Niccolo to laugh some more.

"Good luck," he punched his stomach playfully, as he moved ahead to exchange pleasantries with other guests.

Giovanni returned to Luciano’s side. "There’s something thick in the air, Luce, and it’s not just excitement. You’re up to something. I just hope it is not one which compromises my morality?"

"I try to honour your moral codes as best as I can. We both know it doesn’t always work that way. But then again, I should warn you. The lords are all coming." He walked away quickly, before Giovanni had the opportunity to curse him out.

Luciano returned to the golden chairs carved specially for him and Daniela, and took a seat beside her.

"You’ve been walking around babe, welcoming everyone. It’s time to sit still, okay?"

"Sure. I’ll try."

However, his eyes couldn’t stop staring at the door, wondering who was coming in next.

He didn’t have to wait too long. The doors opened, and Lorenzo Barone, and Enzo Romano walked in with their small entourage.

Salvatore’s eyes went to Vittorio, and Vittorio’s to Luciano.

The first thing Lorenzo did was snatch a glass of wine from the waiter’s tray, and lift it up towards Luciano who was looking directly at them.

Luciano’s breath quickened, as he struggled to keep his composure.

He had invited them over after all. It was his consequences alone to deal with.

"This is going to be one heck of a party," Giovanni whispered to his wife.

"What are they doing here? I don’t want any problems please. My daughter deserves to have a very happy day."

"Don’t worry, Helena. I’m sure Luciano is not crazy enough to do something to ruin Daniela’s special day."

The lords were led to their seats, as one table had been prepared for all seven of them.

Moments later, others began to troop in too.

There was lady Serafina, who was slowly taking over from her ageing father Don Carlo.

As she arrived she went straight to Luciano’s table to tease him.

Daniela swiftly clung to his arms, marking her territory.

Serafina noticed, and smiled. "Good luck," she said to him, as she walked to the table where the other lords were seated.

Lady Diana came in next, representing her father Don Marcello.

"He sends his love," she said to Luciano.

"He will recover Diane. That’s a promise."

"I’m sure he will. Your city is stunning by the way. I see why you keep it from us." She threw him a wink and walked away.

Daniela rolled her eyes. Everything the other women did seemed flirty to her.

She hated that they barely even recognized her.

"Ugly bitches!" She cursed under her breath.

Don Rafael and Don Ferraro were the last lords to arrive.

Still, Luciano remained unsettled. There wasn’t any sign of Ross Voltron yet.

The party began in earnest, and soon it was time for speeches.

The parents of the bride rose to their feet. Giovanni Ferrari especially was given a respectful reaction.

He, after all, was a legend in the eyes of many.

They climbed on the elevated surface, designed with gold and silver lights.

But just as he cleared his throat to begin speaking, the doors opened once more.

Luciano knew even before the last guest walked in.

"Ross Voltron," he muttered, as the audacious man walked in with his signature mischievous smile, plastered all over his face.