Chapter Two - Cost of freedom

Regina's POV My legs move and my head fails to formulate any thoughts. I didn't realize how much I had missed my father until now. "Papa" my voice was a broken shell as I threw my self into his arms. He held me, running his fingers through my hair like he always did when I was much younger. "It's been a long time Regina" I nod, blinking rapidly to prevent any tears from falling. Crying in front of others was regarded as a sign of weakness. "The rest of us don't deserve hugs?" Lucio's voice cut through the silence and I pulled away to look at him. "Lucio" I smiled and walked to him, throwing my arms around him too. "You've grown taller" he says and ruffles my hair. "'Not as tall as you" I responded. I turn to Enzo who remained seated stiffly in a spot. The seriousness on his face matched his voice when he had called earlier. "Enzo..." "We should get into why we are here" he cut me off harshly. I wanted to believe that he also missed me but it was hard to tell. Enzo had never been warm but I thought it came with his responsibilities, being next in line to be the don of one of the biggest mafia families was no joke but even my stoic father showed emotions sometimes. Enzo had always been just Enzo. "You have..." "The servants prepared dinner" Father's voice interrupted Enzo. Whatever he had to say, father didn't consider this moment the right time, but I'll rather just know now and get it over with. The delay will only spike my blood pressure. Enzo's glare told everyone he wasn't happy that he was interrupted, but he had no choice but to obey the don of the Costano family. "Come on amore. It's been a long time we ate as a family" my father beckons me as he walks out of the sitting room, the sound of his cane rapping loudly against the hardwood floor. Each of us claimed our designated seats, close to the don and the others took the empty seats further away. I took a proper look at the men seated at the table, their faces had changed. That wasn't a normal occurrence. Did father change all the men in his inner circle? Something serious must have really happened. I nudge Lucio under the table and he gives me a look, he doesn't laugh but shakes his head. I eat quietly. Dinner won't end and they won't say anything except I eat something anyways. The silence in the table worsened my anxiety and I was finally able to breathe a little when dinner ended and the servants cleared the table. "I'll meet you in the grand room in five minutes" Father announced. He pushed his chair backward and walked out. Enzo is the next to leave the table and Lucio followed immediately after. I go after him determined to get something out of him. "Lucio" I whisper yell in the hallways and he halts. "The grand room is the other way" "I haven't forgotten" I roll my eyes. "That's is a surprise, things could have changed in five years" "You know why I couldn't come back here" "I don't. That is solely on you" "I thought...." "That will only keep getting you into a deeper mess" he says cutting me off "You know why..." "How is that business of yours anyways?" He was trying to distract me. "Fine" I mumbled. "You are not surprised?" "Your family controls a good portion of this city, it would be shameful if you didn't know what I was up to" he laughs. "Now stop trying to deflect and tell me why I am here" "Why do you think I will tell you?" "I can try to get it out of you. I'm dying it anxiety here. I need to know so that I can prepare myself" "For what? Another bargain?" "If I have to" he scoffs "You can't bargain your way out of the bargain you made" So I was right. This is why they wanted me here, It had something to do with my bargain. It was time to pay the price for my freedom. The wheels in my head whirled. What would they ask of me? God damn it. I didn't think about the consequences when I made that bargain with my father. I just needed an escape. "Lucio" Enzo's voice interrupts. "Father is waiting, let's go" I grab Lucio's arms "Will I hate it?" "Yes" he says and walks away while I'm left there trying to get my breathing under control. They were all waiting for me. Squaring my shoulders, I walk to the grand room. "Have a seat" father instructs and I obey. "It's been a long tike since you have been around us, but I believe you haven't forgotten whom you are" "No" "We didn't choose this life, it chose us. Being a part of this...." he waved his arm around "Is the greatest honor anyone can get. The privileges are endless and on so many occasions, you have benefited from those privileges. Even this new business of yours, the privilege I speak of played a huge role in its success" I was felt the steady inflow of clients was due to my talents and work ethics. "But imagine what it would be like if we suddenly lost those privileges" "What are you getting at father" "Look around you... The men you grew up with are no longer here" "I wondered. What happened?" "They betrayed the family" Enzo snaps Betrayal wasn't uncommon in the mafia world, but to hear that men who had been around since before I was born betrayed the family was worrisome. "And that leaves us vulnerable" "You let them get away?" he laughs coldly "Some got away and they are the real problem. We need to find them" "I'm sorry I'm not fit for this job so I don't understand how it concerns me" "Of course. We need people who can do this easily, we are at a disadvantage and we need the help of others" "What kind of help?" I reluctantly ask. "An alliance" I freeze in my seat. "We want an alliance with the Arcane family" I didn't dare ask what was required of me again. I knew already. "You are going to get married to Tomas Arcane. That is the cost of the freedom I allowed you"