Chapter 2

• As I left the room and descended the stairs, I could feel the tension in the air. The dining room was filled with family members, all impeccably dressed, as was expected on occasions like this. Don Salvatore Mancuso sat at the head of the table, his expression stern, but his eyes revealed a trace of pride. Alongside him were his four legitimate sons.
• Massimo, the youngest, was to the left of his father, seated three chairs down from Don Salvatore. He had just turned eighteen, and his celebration had been memorable, an event that still echoed in all of our memories. Massimo was charismatic and beloved by many, much like his father.
• In the chair in front of Massimo was Luca, Salvatore's third son with Lucrezia. At twenty, Luca was known for his outgoing personality and his inclination for the more extravagant side of life.
• Seated to the right of Massimo was Matteo, the second son of the family's leader. At twenty-one, Matteo was responsible for all family operations in Canada, and his reputation as a brilliant strategist was well established.
• And, of course, seated to Don Salvatore's right was Dante Mancuso, the eldest and the next in line to lead the family. At twenty-five, Dante was a man of imposing presence, his honey-colored eyes reminiscent of Lucrezia, but his demeanor and appearance were unmistakably Salvatore's. He was the mafia boss's greatest pride, and everyone expected him to lead the family with wisdom and firmness in the future.
• However, Dante was not just the Mancuso family's eldest; he was my fiercest rival. From childhood, he always found ways to make it clear that I was not a true part of the family. He was the one who had nicknamed me “Bambi” when we were children, referring to the movie “Bambi.” But the nickname was not an endearing diminutive, as Lucrezia used to call me “Bambolina.” For Dante, it was a cruel way of reminding me that, like Bambi, I had lost my parents and that he considered it a weakness.
• Gradually, all the brothers began to call me by that name, reinforcing the exclusion and the difference between us. I was the outsider in the family, the girl who didn't belong to the inner circle. Dante, in particular, always found ways to remind me of that, making my relationship with him tense and hostile over the years.
• As I approached the table and took my seat, the chair to Don Salvatore's left, Dante's gaze fixated on me for a moment, and I could see a subtle, mocking smile on the corners of his lips. He knew the impact his words had on me and seemed to take pleasure in reminding me that I was a stranger in the Mancuso household. Don Salvatore broke the silence, addressing me seriously.
• “Bambolina, my dear, happy birthday!” Don Salvatore said, holding my face.
• “Thank you, Don Salvatore,” I replied, holding his hand and kissing his ring. After all, he was the family's leader.
• He stood up, approached, and gave me a warm hug. It was a gesture that meant much more than words could express. It was a recognition of the bond we shared, of the journey we had traveled together.
• Massimo, always charismatic and the youngest, was the first to break the silence. With a warm smile, he said, “Congratulations, Bambi. I hope this is the beginning of a new and exciting journey for you.”
• I smiled back at him, genuinely thankful. Massimo was kind and friendly, a stark contrast to his older brother, Dante.
• Next, Matteo offered his congratulations. He was a man of few words, but his serious gaze conveyed respect.
• Luca, with his outgoing personality, raised his wine glass for a toast, exclaiming, “To Bambi's eighteen years! May you continue to surprise us with your strength and determination.”
• Each congratulation warmed my heart, but we all knew that the most tense moment was yet to come. Dante, the eldest and the next leader of the Mancuso family, remained silent, his face dark, and his eyes fixed on me.
• Don Salvatore looked at his eldest son, an expression of expectation on his face, but Dante's silence drew his father's attention, who looked at him with a serious expression. Don Salvatore did not tolerate disrespect or insubordination, even from his own son.
• “Come on, Dante, greet Catarina,” Don Salvatore ordered firmly.
• However, when Dante finally broke the silence, his words were not of congratulations but of disdain. “Sei una bastarda,” he muttered, staring at me with contempt.
• The cutting insult echoed in the room, and everyone fell silent, shocked by Dante's lack of respect at such an important moment. “Sei una bastarda” was an insult that Don Salvatore would never allow in his house. He slammed his hand on the table with force, his furious gaze fixed on his son.
• “Apologize, Dante,” Don Salvatore ordered with a stern voice.
• Dante, in turn, maintained his defiant look and refused to apologize. “I won't apologize to her,” he responded stubbornly.
• The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me. But I didn't waver. After all, I knew that this insult was merely a reflection of Dante's resentment for not having closed the deal with the Solncevskaya Bratva, which I had contributed to.
• With calm, I replied, “It's alright, Don Salvatore. I expected no less from someone like Dante. I believe yesterday's stutter hasn't quite passed... Zdra... Zdra...vstv... Zdra...uite!”
• Dante angrily rose from the table and left the room without saying another word. Don Salvatore sighed, looking at me with a mix of concern and frustration.
• “At some point, Bambolina, this feud between you and Dante needs to end,” he said, running a hand through his gray hair.
• I nodded, not wanting to spoil the day with family arguments. It was a special day, after all. “I wholeheartedly agree, Don Salvatore. The timing is not right to discuss this. Today should be a day of celebration.”
• Don Salvatore smiled at me and said, “Yes, let's enjoy your birthday.”
• I nodded in agreement. “Yes, Don Salvatore. I believe it's also time for us to talk about Tuscany. I can be a valuable ally in expanding our business in that region.”
• My request to lead 'Ndrangheta activities in Tuscany was bold, but I was determined to prove that I was worthy of this challenge. Yes, normally this territory would be led by the heir, but there were other territories equally important for Dante to lead. And I was ready to demonstrate that.
• “Afterward, we'll discuss the position you asked for as a birthday gift,” Don Salvatore said as he stood up. “Now I need to check if the preparations for your masquerade ball are well underway.”
• I couldn't help but feel the lingering tension in the room. But for now, I was ready to write my own future in the family's history.