Chapter 18: The Family Gathering

Elise's POV

There were forty people at the walnut table, packing both sides.

The whole family had come, the cousins and the wives and the old uncles, with their coats still damp from the rain.

Teresa sat halfway down on the left.

She gave me one small nod when I came in on Dario's arm.

The five capos sat on either side of the head of the table, three on the left and two on the right.

The three on the left did not look at me.

The two on the right looked at me hard, because they had bet on me.

Luca stood against the wall with the six soldiers who had seen me on this table three days ago.

The grey-bearded one met my eyes, and then looked away, and I knew he was ashamed on my behalf.

I did not mind.

Dario pulled out the chair at his right.

"Whatever you decide," he said at my ear, "you sit straight and you do not hurry."

"I wasn't going to hurry."

"I know. I needed to hear myself say it."

I sat in it with my back straight and the cloth cool against my knees.

I wore nothing under the green dress.

The silver ring lay against my throat, under the high collar, and every time I swallowed I felt it.

Stefano sat at the foot of the table, as far from his father as the room allowed.

He wore a dark suit and a black tie, and no smile.

He looked older than he had at the terrace.

The oldest capo struck the table with his fist, once.

"We are called under the old law," he said. "A motion is made that the Don be removed. Four of six to carry it. Who speaks for the motion?"

"I do," Stefano said.

He stood.

I had watched him stand up at a table before, with a fork and a glass and forty people laughing, and I knew his whole voice by heart.

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