*ahem* we reached the vote goal 3 hours before the weekly update schedule resets I'm lmfao-- technically it still counts so tysm!

So lots of things happening in this chapter-- we see a little into Zeke's past and we're gonna meet the infamous fiancé ;)

Lots of love<3

Chapter 21

Zeke

A knock sounded through the room and the door to his bedroom opened to reveal his father.

"You have the papers ready?" He asked him.

Zeke nodded from his place in front of his window, gesturing to the small manila envelope on top of the small end table near his door. They were getting ready to go the engagement party and he was still only in his white collared shirt and black trousers. His waistcoat, jacket, and tie were still on his bed, waiting to be worn.

He knew it was pointless to try and prolong their leaving but he couldn't help it. Stepping into his engagement party and meeting with Angelica Verratti felt like it would be the nail in the coffin, the confirmation that he could never be with Tatiana, no matter how much he wanted it.

"You should finish getting ready soon, moy syn." His father said sympathetically, sitting on the edge of his bed as he continued to look out on the grounds of the estate, through the small forest of trees and into the dark night.

"The deal has been signed, Zeke." His father said. "You no longer have a choice, unless you want the anger of your uncle and that of Verratti to befall you."

Zeke sighed, turning away from the window and facing his father. "I know." He leaned against the window. "It's just the timing of it all..."

His father rolled his eyes. "Don't think me a fool Zeke, I know you love Agnieska's daughter."

He gave father a sharp look. "I don't love her." He said firmly, turning away. "I've known her three--maybe four months. I may find her attractive, but to assume that I love her would be absurd."

"It's best to just forget about her." His father said calmly, totally ignoring his earlier disagreement. "I've had to follow my father's wishes as well, I understand how it feels. It has always been the duty of the heir to have an advantageous marriage."

He scoffed. "I know that. I just never expected that I would be one." He said frustratingly.

Francesco was his father's eldest son and had proven himself capable and dependable. There was no doubt that he would be their father's successor and he was only their father's bastard son. He was third in line as successor, maybe even second but Gina would do everything in her power to prevent that. And so, he spent his life assured of the fact that he would never have to have such a responsibility bestowed on him.

He enjoyed all the perks of being a Don's son. He was a wild child, he thought amusedly as he recalled his old memories. Money, women, drugs, clubbing every other night and taking trips around the world to visit the most beautiful sites, he had it all. He was practically on top of the world.

Then his uncle Vincent visited. His uncle was a nice goofy man, handsome and always the player he was. He was 23 at the time, and he had gone to their family estate looking for him. He had been out partying that night and he arrived home close to midnight. His uncle was adamant in meeting him and stayed until he finally showed his face.

His whole world turned upside down with what his uncle had said to him then. "You're going to be my heir, Zeke." He had said.

His uncle couldn't father a child.

Adopting a child was out of the question. Of course, the family would treat the child as it's own, but never to rule. The family would never accept it, they'd want a full-blooded Boucher to rule the French mob in the states.

That's when he had to straighten up his act. He couldn't act like a carefree man anymore, a man who lived as if there was no tomorrow. All of the sudden, all the burdens that Francesco carried, he now had of his own.

It was easier than he thought to adopt to the lifestyle. He understood what to do and what had to be done. Soon, he became a man that both his subordinates, soldiers, and superiors respected.

"It doesn't matter now." His father said, snapping him out of his thoughts. "What's done is done. If you can't forget about her, you can always have her as your mistress."

"Tsk." He shot his father a dirty look. This is exactly why he didn't want a loveless marriage. Taking a mistress was out of the question, he refused to marry someone he had no affection for. If he was to marry, it would be someone he cared about, someone who would be his partner in all things.

He's seen what his father's marriage to Gina was like. Gina was a bitch, she only cared that her children would one day rule. Batya never loved her, he was forced into an arranged marriage with a rich family's daughter who had no sons.

He never wanted that. But he didn't have a choice.

"You should finish getting ready, Zeke." He heard his father stand up from his bed and approach him. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We must leave in five minutes."

Zeke only nodded and his father left, shutting the door behind him.

"I sure hope I meet some beauties tonight. I'm in serious need of a good fuck." Ivanov proclaimed, leaning back and relaxing as they began driving to the Verratti estate.

They were arriving in two separate limos, one had their father, Gina, and Nina and the other was theirs, their entourage of guards following in black nondescript cars behind them.

"Typical." Francesco rolled his eyes. Zeke only chuckled at his brother's antics.

It was a brisk, Tuesday evening, barely any traffic. It would take them ten, maybe twenty minutes to arrive.

He sighed, rubbing his temple in stress. He's only ever seen Angelica Verratti once before, it was at a party that was being hosted by one of the family's. She was quite scattered, drinking to excess and making a fool of herself sometimes. To think that she would be his future wife was boggling.

"Thinking about the marriage, huh?" Francesco asked sympathetically.

Zeke only nodded, looking out the window as buildings and street lights flew past.

Francesco tapped him lightly on the side of his arm. "Looks like you could use a drink before the big party, mladshiy bratishka."

"I'll make you my special 'Ivan Red' concoction, little Zeke." Ivanov slapped him hard on his back. Zeke shot him an annoyed, yet amused look.

"God, no, anything but that." Francesco laughed as Ivanov leaned forward to the small mini bar in the limousine and began mixing vodka, a bloody mary, and a few olives. "That shit hits strong."

"Just what I need." Zeke said, cracking his knuckles and stretching his neck jokingly as if in preparation. "Don't worry brother, unlike you I can handle my liquor." He smirked at him.

"Why you little--" Francesco started, messing up Zeke's hair before he got the chance to move out of reach.

"Viola!" Ivanov said as he sat back on his seat and handed each of them his red concoction. Thank God the roads weren't rough, Zeke thought as the drinks tipped dangerously over from the glass.

"To us getting fucked over in the head tonight." Ivanov cheered, clinking glasses with them.

"Hear, hear." Zeke agreed and downed his drink.

"Gentlemen, we are nearing the estate." Their driver, Philip, said, lowering down the panel that separated the driver to the passengers.

"Thanks Philip." Ivanov said, finishing his third 'Ivan Red' cocktail.

Zeke had downed four while Cesco could barely stomach two. Low tol, Zeke thought, rolling his eyes.

The limo slowed to a stop in front of Verratti's daunting four-story home. The limo that their father took was a few minutes ahead of them so they should already be inside.

Philip opened the door for them and they climbed out to face the front of Verratti's impressive façade.

A man in his early thirties and wearing a black tux approached them. "Gentlemen, please follow me. I am Raymond, a capo of Don Verratti's family. I have been ordered to introduce you to the godfather and escort you to where your family and the Don are sharing their greetings." He said.

Zeke only nodded and followed after the gentleman, his brothers close behind.

As they walked into the main party, the Raymond led them towards a tall, aging man with a bulky build whose back was turned to them. Upon reaching him, the Raymond cleared his throat, grabbing the man's attention.

He turned and Zeke was met with the dark grey eyes of one of the most powerful men who ruled the crime world. He was probably in his late fifties, with laugh lines that crinkled at the corner of his eyes.

"Raymond, who do we have here?" The man asked good-naturedly, giving them a smile.

Raymond bowed slightly. "Godfather, these are the sons of Don Vasiliev."

"I see." He raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised. "Pleased to meet you gentlemen, I am Lorenzo Castellano." He held out a hand for them to shake and they each in turn introduced themselves to the ruling godfather of mainland USA and Canada.

Lorenzo Castellano was a powerful man. He was an Italian-American and his father, Santino Castellano, was the first godfather, bringing the Sicilian mafia ways to the US. Mafia politics today, the families, and the law protecting them were systems that he had placed. Their control over the criminal world was thanks to the examples that he had set. Soon, the rest of the crime syndicates of the world; Mexican, European, and Asian mobs followed in his lead.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Lorenzo Castellano was the prince of the crime world.

The next few minutes seemed to blur together for him.

"Don Verratti, I have brought the sons of Don Pavel." The young gentleman had said once they reached the group.

Zeke tried his best to stay hidden behind his brothers, prolonging the moment of having to see Angelica.

"Excellent." He heard Verratti say. "Where is my future son in law?" He asked, not immediately seeing him.

Reluctantly, he stepped forward. "Don Verratti." He bowed his head in respect.

"Zeke," He gestured for him to come closer. "Meet my daughter Angelica." And a woman with dark, shoulder length hair stepped out from behind him.

She looked exactly the same as she did a few years ago, maybe a little skinnier. Same blue eyes, same button nose. She wore a skin-tight lavender dress that made her already skinny body look even thinner, dangerously so.

He furrowed his brows. She looked unhealthy.

"All right, I've seen him. May I go now father?" Angelica asked, looking both annoyed and angry.

Verratti pursed his lips, looking annoyed at her blatant disrespect in front of his associates but did not comment. Instead, he just nodded and let her go.

His... fiancé disappeared into the crowd.

Translations:

moy syn - my son

batya - father

mladshiy bratishka - younger brother

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