Page 78 of Urgent Vows
Raffaele shows no reservation when he agrees. "No one else. Knowledge is power and having access to this knowledge strengthens my power base."
I never thought that way with my own father, but the Don of Las Vegas is a different man than my father was.
"What do you think we'll find in her files?" Miceli asks.
"Even if it's only a list of family names and their connections in the different Cosa Nostra territories, it will be a damn good resource."
Both my brother and brother-in-law agree.
Catalina returns and I cannot see the bruise, but my sister hasn't overdone the rest of her makeup. I nod my approval.Mi dolce bellezzadoes not need artificial enhancement to her natural loveliness.
Giulia gives me an exasperated look, but she doesn't say anything.
Catalina nearly trips as we approach the elevator. I grab her arm. "What is it? Are you feeling dizzy?" Damn it, maybe we should put this off.
But if she has documented even half of what she implied earlier, that information is too sensitive to leave in the Jilani mansion. Even in a secret room.
"I'm fine. It's these shoes. They're a size too big and don't want to stay on my feet."
"You should have said something," Guilia admonishes Catalina. "What size shoe do you wear?"
When Catalina tells her, my sister frowns in disappointment. "You're a size smaller than me."
"Take them off," I say to my wife.
"I can't leave the house barefoot."
"Fine." I pick her up again.
"Severu." She slaps my chest. "I can walk. I just need to put some more tissue in the toes."
She stops protesting once we are in the elevator.
The men and SUVs are ready as we step off the elevator in the parking garage.
"Carlo, you and Aldo in the Cayenne with Catalina and Me."
The lead SUV is a Hummer, equipped with military grade weapons that slide out of their hidden compartments when necessary. It will be followed by Miceli in his McLaren Speedtail. It is not armored, but the tires are bullet proof as is the glass. He refuses to have the body reinforced because it would impact the speed and maneuverability of the car. A second SUV will be between my brother's car and the Cayenne. The final truck in the convoy is another weaponized Hummer.
I promised Catalina she would be safe, and I will keep that promise.
"It's like traveling with the president," Catalina says with a small laugh. "Will it always be like this when we go places together?"
"When our security alert status is green, you will have one extra SUV with three guards and three in your armored car. When it is yellow, you will have a second SUV traveling behind you with four additional guards."
"And when it's red?" she asks, her eyes wide.
"You will either be in the apartment with an army of guards or a safe house out of state."
She swallows. "Itislike being married to the president."
"You are married to the King of New York," I remind her.
"I'm not sure I'm queen material."
"You are my wife."
She laughs. "Things are pretty basic for you, aren't they? I am your wife and therefore Iama queen. Doesn't matter if I know how to put on my own makeup or schmooze other mafia wives."
