The Beginning

Chapter Two

I sat impatiently in my limousine, talking with my brother while dad got things set up for our meeting. I fixed my watch on my wrist and sighed before fixing my tie. I didn't know what exactly this meeting for, I understand it was for peace but why? The Esposito's and our family have been at war with each other years. Never once did they ever want peace and nor did we.

"Come on, boys", My dad said opening the car door. I got out and fixed my suit. The Morellos always had to look their best no matter what. I waited for Lorenzo to get out of the car. My dad led the way up the stairs into the Esposito's business building. We walked in and the lady at the front desk looked up. She blushed slightly when her eyes locked with mine. She looked down and I chuckled to myself. It wasn't anything I wasn't used to. All of the Morello men and women were good looking.

We walked towards the elevator and I placed my hands in front of me, one hand on the other, and waited for the elevator door to open.

"This better not be a waste of my time", I said to both my brother and father.

The ignored my comment and the elevator doors opened. We walked out, where there was another receptionist. There were hallways on either side of the building leading to different places. I looked around to see some people sitting down waiting to speak to one of the Esposito. I won't lie and say I wasn't a bit uncomfortable not knowing exactly what the proposal they were proposing was.

"Matteo", Leonardo said walking towards my father and shaking his hand. Leonardo was my father's age and was the capo of his gang. He turned to my brother and shook his hand greeting him. He looked at me and smiled. "Giovanni, long time, eh?", Leonardo asked. He held out his hand and I took it giving it a firm shake.

This was business and at war or not, when it came down to business we treated each other with respect unless disrespected. Leonardo led us down a long hallway, pictures of their ancestors along the walls. We walked into a big conference room, where a large table sat in the middle of the room. Leonardo's sons were standing up chatting with each other until we walked in. I saw Antonio, one of the Esposito boys I had trouble with in my younger days. He shot me a glare and I shot one back.

"Whiskey?", Leonardo asked as he filled his own glass. I gave Leo a nod and so did my brother. He handed me a glass and I took a small swig. I fixed my watch again and cleared my throat.

"Why don't we get down to business?", I said setting my glass on the table.

Leonardo nodded and sat down at the head of the table. Everyone took a seat and turned to Leonardo who hand an envelope. It was awkward to be in a room with the Espositos'. since a few days ago we were playing on gunning down each other today. Leonardo set the envelope down on the table and sighed looking at me.

"We all know, Matteo and I will be giving our position as a capo to our oldest sons. Antonio, being mine and you being your dads. We also remember the beef you and Antonio had years back, and we don't need that affecting what's really going on.", Leonardo began. Though, I didn't know where he was going with this. I just wanted to sign a contract stating we have peace and be done with it.

"If we have a contract it won't. You want peace, just give me the papers.", I said adjusting my seating. My dad put his hand on my shoulder tapping it slightly. "Let the man finish, Figlio", my father said. I wanted things to get down to it but they dragged it on.

"We have a new rival. It's unexpected from this family since we both haven't had any problems with them and well, your relation to them", Leonardo said standing up. I sat in my seat and watched him. Relation to them? There were only a few other family's that we were okay with.

"My relation to them?", I asked sitting up and interlocking my hands together.

"Your late wife", Leonardo said.

Greta? I stood instantly as well as everyone at the table. Lorenzo putting his hand on my chest, keeping me from hurting Leonardo. "You don't get to bring her up", I said, feeling my blood begin to boil.

"Giovanni, the Russo's are planning to try and take us both down. Now, I believe it's a good idea we stick together. I know, It's hard since you were apart of their family but you ain't their family anymore.", Leonardo said.

"I'm just supposed to trust you? Over my wife's family?! I suppose to trust you, the people we've been at war with since forever!", I snapped.

"Calm down, Gio", Lorenzo said.

I looked at him and he looked at me, his gaze soft.

"They wouldn't do that. Not to us, anyway", I told Lorenzo.

"Gio, trust me. I didn't like the idea at first but once everything is explained you'll understand but we don't have time to waste. The longer we wait to have peace between us, the harder it will get.", Lorenzo said.

I trusted my brother. Though he was younger than me, he never lied to me about something big. If he knew that it would protect me or my family he'd never lie. I didn't see how the Russos, Greta's family wanted a war between us. Their family was loyal and kind, even after Greta's death they would come around and I'd go see them. Why have things changed? I sighed running my fingers through my hair.

After a while, I sighed, "Let me sign the papers for the peace", I said.

"Well...There's more", Leonardo said.

More? What else could possibly happen? They wanted peace, what more did they want?

"In this family, we only believe in peace between family.", Leonardo began. I had no clue what he was trying to get at. We weren't family in any way, he'd had to think of another way other than his beliefs. I looked at Leonardo waiting for him to finish. He grabbed the envelope and threw it on the table making it slide towards me.

"The only way we can become family is if you marry my daughter", Leonardo said.

I looked up from the papers I had taken out of the envelope. This was a joke, it had to be. There was no way in hell, I was going to marry Leonardo Esposito's daughter.