The trip to the main church area would have been a short one. But just as Elle and the girls were about to open the door and head out, it opened, and in walked a trio.
Elle had never met them before but she knew them from pictures in Gio's phone and around the house. Gio's aunts and in photos around his house.
The new entries were Gio's aunts and uncle.
Uncle Carlo was tall man, and despite his advancing years, he still walked with his back straight. The cane he carried more for show than anything else. His eyes the same shade od blue as his sister's eyes. He had the sort of face that said you could trust him. Gio had told her he was a retired lawyer, and Elle had to bet he had probably tied up a lot of people in court all the while looking like an innocent bystander. Next to him, was his sister, Sofia. On paper she had been a housewife married to an influential business man.
Nothing more than a trophy wife, happy to exist hanging off her husband's arm and looking pretty. In reality, she had been the one in charge of everything. There had been no deals, not even handshakes that had gone on without her knowing about.
The last person to get into the room was the one who really held Elle's attention though. Cecilia Romano's hair was done up in a severe bun. Brown eyes the same shade as Gio's sharp and assessing. The simple powder blue dress she wore sitting comfortably on her. The pearls around her neck glowing.
Just from merely walking into the room, she shifted the whole mood. The air instantly tense.
"Leave us," She said, voice soft, but the command clear to hear. Daria, Pearl and Celeste scurried past, giving Elle worried looks as they went. Celeste paused midway and gave her two thumbs up. The corners of her mouth pulling up in a brief smile, the canines showing.
She turned still smiling and froze, aunt Cecilia's eyes were on her, narrowed, the older woman's head tilted to the side. Elle knew the look. Gio got it sometimes when he was trying to figure someone out.
Not wanting Celeste to get whatever tongue lashing she was about to get, Elle spoke up.
"I am glad all of you made it," She said and three pairs of eyes were instantly on her. Taking the distraction, Celeste headed after the others, the door closing softly after her, locking Elle in.
She wanted nothing more than to run after the others, but this was Gio's family. Not only was it her first time meeting them, it was her first time meeting them and ir was also her wedding day. They were bound to have some serious questions for her. Taking a deep breath, Elle turned to her guest. Each of them had already taken a seat, and were now all watching her like hawks.
Unable to sit, as she was afraid of ruining her dress before walking down the aisle, Elle stood. But despite the height advantage she still felt small. She clasped her hands in front of her body to keep them from trembling.
"I would say introductions are in order, but take it you already know who we are, just as we know who you are," Uncle Carlo said. His voice was warm, conversational, but dread pooled in Elle's stomach. Was this it? Was this where the grilling began and they told how unworthy she was of their nephew.
Elle tried to tamp down, but something must have shown on her face because aunt Sofia threw her head back, laughing.
"Relax child, we do not bite," Her brother nodded.
"Indeed, at our age a full set of original teeth is a blessing. We would not risk them by biting people," The two siblings laughed, their heads thrown back in the exact same way…aunt Cecelia did not laugh.
Instead she fixed Elle with a look.
"What we want from you, child is something simple," She said, brushing imaginary dirt off the hem of her dress.
"Our nephew, is a good boy. And being such a dutiful child, he keeps things from us, not wanting us to worry," Elle's brow furrowed, she did not know what that had to do with her, before she could ask, aunt Cecelia continued.
"Being the don is hard work. But sadly, our nephew rarely ever shares the burden. Being his wife, you will have access to him in a way that we no longer do,"
"We would greatly appreciate it if you passed your findings along to us on a regular basis," What?!
"What are you-" Aunt Cecilia carried on like Elle had not spoken.
"Before blood, family is about power. Keep us in the loop and we will ensure that your position as the don's wife remains unchallenged. No pesky mistresses or illegitimate heirs along the way. Plus we will make sure that you have secret money stashes that are always full, independent of your husband, "
This was… a power grab. Elle looked at the people before hee. The family members that Gio spoke of with fondness, talking about using her to spy on him like it was nothing.
Had they done this before?
Rage pricked at Elle's eyes, her vision going red. She squared her shoulders, glaring openly at them.
"Get out," She hissed, not caring that she was disrespecting the elderly.
"Now, now, child there is no need-" Uncle Carlo began, but Elle cut him off, pointing a threatening finger at him.
"If you say one word, I will kick you so hard, every bone in your body will relocate. And I mean relocate, not dislocate, they will find your tailbone where your nose used to be. Understood," It probably was not the most creative threat, but Elle stood behind it one hundred person, and the elders stared at her in stunned silence as she heaved breath after breath, trying to get herself under control.
It was aunt Cecelia who recovered first, rather than be offended… she laughed. The action shaving years off her face and making her look less intimidating. When her laughter stopped, she looked over at the others and nodded before turning to Elle.
"Good. That protectiveness that you have just shown, keep it with you always, and your marriage will prosper,"
Things clicked into place for Elle and she was torn between being annoyed and feeling proud of herself.
A test, it had been a test, and she had passed.
"Being a don is taxing. It is a hard position to hold without being torn down. You are about to become our nephew's wife. From now on, you need to be his support. Have his back, be strong when he is not, be respectful and our Gio will bring all of that back to you tenfold. Do you understand?"
Even though she was unhappy about the test, Elle could see the reason for it, so she nodded along. She knew that she would never betray Gio, and now that his family knew it too, she found that she felt light.
There was a knock on the door, and a dark haired woman with a forgettable face walked in.
"Will I be needed?" She asked and aunt Sofia waved her away.
"No, everything is alright here, she passed with flying colours," The woman nodded once, then turned and left… Elle was too scared to ask whether the woman was a lawyer or an assassin. But the message was loud and clear.
If you hurt him, we will hurt you.
As far as shovel talks went, it was a bit dramatic. But as Elle was called closer and then subjected to hugs and kisses on the cheek, she felt more at ease.
These were people willing to set traps for, and then threaten her, all in the name of protecting their precious nephew.
Gio was lucky to have people like them in his corner, and now Elle would officially be counted amongst them.