It had only been thirty minutes into their meeting, and Gael and Giovanni already wanted to get out of there. Their otherwise raging blood inside them was a complete opposite to their nods and seemingly tolerant behavior through this whole situation.

For them, the Morellis were nothing but bloodsuckers—a proud and overly ambitious bunch of psychos. But he and Giovanni were here to do one thing—that's to end this decades-long war between their families. Both parties already shed so much blood, and if they didn't do something about this, the feud would end with more blood and dead bodies.

Filippo was one of the capos—or captains—in their family. The arrogant bastard was in his late twenties, looking more like a toad than a human. Of course, this was how Gael saw him. And his brother, Mariano, who sat next to him, was no better. His expression had been stoic the whole time. The man was practically a stone.

"So it's settled then, we shall start arranging the weddings as soon as possible," said Filippo as he set his glass of whiskey on the table.

Gael could sense Giovanni tensing next to him. His uncle had told him beforehand that he'd never talk to the Morellis unless he absolutely needed to. He couldn't blame him. Giovanni was already doing well sitting in front of these bastards without acting on his urge to beat the crap out of them. Gael had more patience despite his undying rage that's burning in his core whenever he faced the Morellis. Revenge was important, but so was his family. If he acted upon his hatred now, this wouldn't end well.

"We haven't agreed on anything yet," responded Gael. "We're only here to inform you that we're considering."

Filippo chuckled. "You're talking as if you have a say in this. We're on the same boat, Gael. Or have you forgotten that you're no longer the underboss? These two…" He pointed at Mariano and Giovanni. "Even these two can't do anything about it because the orders came from the elders."

Gael rubbed his jaw, a dangerous smirk planted on his lips. "You're right. Well, since you insisted on the location, we'll decide the date. You'll hear from us regarding the final date soon." He got up and buttoned his coat, ready to leave this place.

William got to his feet, adjusting his tie as he addressed the two parties. "Great. I didn't think this meeting would end fast. But I'm glad you two could settle this amicably in our state. We're honored to be graced by your presence, but let's not do this so often. Alright?"

"Wait—" Filippo stopped them. When everyone looked at him, he beamed. "We're having a small gathering on the floor above us. We would like you to join us. Actually, Don Mario invites you all."

Gael and Giovanni looked at each other, their brows drawing together as their bodies were ready to defend themselves. Don Mario was the Morellis' boss—the head of their family. Why was he here?

"What the hell is this?" Gael and Giovanni asked in unison. They were only supposed to meet these two men as representatives from their family. Now they're saying they weren't alone—not only that, their head of the family was here? It felt like an ambush.

William, who seemed to be just as surprised, twisted his watch as he faced the Morelli brothers. "I'd like to ask the same question. We weren't informed about Don Mario being in the city."

Filippo held up his hands. "Calm down. This was a… last-minute thing. Grandfather wasn't supposed to come, but he's old now. And he wanted to attend this year's family tradition at least. It's been a while since he had visited Esmea. It just so happened that our family from this city were hosting it in this hotel."

Gael didn't buy it. He exchanged looks with his uncle who was ready to flee the scene as well. They were brave, but they sure as hell didn't plan on dying here tonight if a battle broke out.

William signaled his men to check the hall on the floor above them. And when they came back and confirmed that they were clear to go, he addressed everyone in the room. "I suppose a courtesy call is in order."

Scratching his brow, Gael mockingly chuckled. "Sneaky son of a bîtch."

"Right back at you," Filippo muttered with his own smirk.

"Come on, now, you boys stay on your lanes," William reminded as he glanced at his watch. "We don't need any of you to be sent to the principal's office tonight. Besides, I still have a date to get to in two hours in Harbor, so I can't be here all night. We should get going."

Gael shook his head. Who goes on dates at ten in the evening? This was definitely a booty call—not that he cared. Rolling his neck from side to side, he didn't refute any longer. There was no need to give the Morellis any more reason to doubt their cooperation tonight.

All of the men headed towards the event hall, one floor above them. Gael was already pissed, but he kept his mouth shut—mostly to keep himself from throwing jabs at the Morelli brothers walking in front of them. He didn't like this at all.

Clenching his hands inside his pockets, he was anxious to check his phone. For some reason, he felt uneasy as if something would happen tonight. What if Angela called or texted him? What if one of his men did, and she was in trouble, and he couldn't get to her in time? They had to finish this fast so he could get out of there.

The double doors opened, and the five of them entered the crowded hall. A small gathering? This was a fûcking banquet!

The only good thing that Gael could think of was that it looked like a real celebration. So these people were probably innocent. He reminded himself that although the Morellis were a pain in their asses, they should be smart enough not to cause trouble in Esmea.

Filippo glanced over his shoulder and told Gael, "Looks like you're meeting your bride tonight."

He gritted his teeth as they approached a group of people where Don Mario was.

Giovanni scoffed, seeing a woman in a white dress not too far from them. "Tonight couldn't get any better."

"What?"

"Nothing. I just saw someone I haven't seen in a long time."

Gael glanced in the direction his uncle just looked and saw who he meant—the woman who fûcked him over. "Shît. I thought I was having the worst night. You won."

Behind them, William leaned in and whispered, "You guys don't have to stay long. We can escort you out after greeting Don Mario."

The people around Don Mario dispersed. The older man in his eighties initiated a handshake with the De Lucas and William, which they couldn't refuse. This didn't mean that all was forgiven. It didn't mean that they forgot about this boss's order that got Gael's grandfather killed.

"Come on, son. This is a Christmas family gathering. We're just here to celebrate. We're not here to make trouble," said Don Mario as he clasped Gael's shoulder before introducing a woman in a short red dress beside him. "This is Lauretta. La mia bella nipote." (My beautiful granddaughter.)

Before Gael could even glance her way, the woman had already entered his space, placed her arms around him suggestively, and whispered, "Nice to meet you. You're not how I thought you were."

His jaw popped as he clenched his teeth. It was all he could do to stop himself from pushing her off him. As much as he wanted to, he couldn't—not in front of the Morelli men.

This woman was no Angela.

"Laurie, why don't you show your new fiancé how good of a dancer you are?" Don Mario started. "Let's treat our guests well and show them a good time. After all, we're going to be one family soon."

"It will be a pleasure, Nonno." Lauretta smiled broadly.

Gael held up a hand and shook his head once while keeping his expression neutral. "I don't dance."

She boldly hooked her arm around his and pulled him towards the dance floor. "That's not a problem. I can lead us."

'Fûck this.' Gael glanced at Giovanni, who nodded at him with a small hint of a grin dancing on his lips as if he enjoyed his misery, while Lauretta dragged him away. Already planning his revenge against his uncle, he curled his lips into a crooked smile while subtly nodding towards the woman across the room to whom Giovanni once swore his life to. Giovanni's grin instantly disappeared.

Lauretta made small talk, but Gael ignored her and didn't even respond to her questions. As soon as the music died down, he released her and headed back to Giovanni. They had to leave now. He had more than enough shît for tonight. He needed Angela.

However, as he approached his uncle, he noticed him tense up. Giovanni downed a shot of scotch and told him, "You—we have a problem."

He cocked his brow in question.

"Your girlfriend's here." Giovanni nodded his chin towards the other side of the room.

Gael snapped his head back. His heart instantly dropped to his stomach upon meeting a pair of misty eyes, looking betrayed.

"Angel…" he whispered just before he saw her run out of the hall.