Chapter 44: Chapter 44

There was another gathering planned for the game participants and their men, but this time, it was optional. Due to the animosity in our relationship, Stefano and I were reluctant to attend.

However, Christina wasn’t having it. She had prepared the event as a way to help the women gain a foothold in the family.

With only two games remaining, this was the final lineup of women. Most of us were expected to finish the games and be accepted into the family.

Once that happened, I would finally become Stefano’s wife, and my word would hold weight within the organization.

Stefano and I dressed for the occasion. I wore a red satin ball gown that matched the color of his tie. The cold chains of my dress tickled my bare back as I held Stefano’s hand and followed him through the crowd of people.

The mood of the event was much different than the opening ceremony. The women held themselves with a confidence that was missing before, as though they belonged here, and they did. We’d all worked hard to earn our place beside the Roscotto men.

Despite many women’s new attitudes, I still felt like I had a target on my back. I ignored the few glares sent my way and instead focused my attention on the head table where Christina and Xavier sat.

Even though Stefano and I weren’t on the best speaking terms at the moment, he was still my man, and I would fight every woman in the room to hold my position.

“Stefano, Catalina, I’ve been waiting for you.” Christina smiled as we took our seats.

“Why?” Stefano asked.

“There’s this new pearl necklace that’s co—”

“That’s Dad’s job.” Stefano instantly turned her down. He’d been in a bad mood for some time now, but the two of us weren’t necessarily on good terms for me to ask. I’d wanted to, but my pride wouldn’t let me.

Christina glared at him. “It’s not for me! I thought it would look pretty on Cat. Here, look at it.” She pulled the picture up on her phone and showed me.

I glanced at the intricately crafted necklace with an appreciative gaze. It had a beautiful teardrop-shaped pearl pendant.

Stefano looked at me. “Do you want it?”

I shook my head, dragging my eyes away from the image. It was beautiful, but I had many necklaces to choose from already. Plus, I could tell that the necklace was worth a pretty penny. I didn’t need him to spend unnecessary money on me, not while we were arguing.

“Text me the details,” he told his mother, bypassing my refusal. I said nothing.

Christina turned toward Xavier. “Do you see this favoritism?” she complained, obviously aggrieved. “It was a definite no for his mother, but he’ll consider it for his wife. Am I a doormat?”

Xavier chuckled and tugged her closer to kiss her forehead. “If you want it, I’ll buy it for you. You’re my favorite, after all.”

Christina’s eyes softened, and she beamed. “No, no. I’ll let Cat have that one. What I want is the one that was taken from us. Those bastards stole millions of dollars. You have to get it back.”

“I will, I promise. You’ll get the necklace back dyed in blood.”

~How romantic~, I thought sarcastically. They spoke of shedding blood so casually. Was that what my relationship with Stefano would look like in the future?

My eyes strayed to the end of the table where Alex sat with his head on the table. He looked completely out of it. Genevieve sat next to him fanning him with a napkin, an annoyed look on her face.

I’d heard from Rena that their relationship had become rocky ever since the family dinner, and Genevieve was doing everything she could to gain the role of his fiancée. It seemed that she not only wanted a spot in the family, but in the direct line of succession as well.

“How’s that search for Gabel Perez?” Stefano asked his father.

I looked over as Xavier clenched his jaw. “Not good. That bastard is as slippery as ever. He’s hidden himself deep, and it bothers me that he was able to build such a solid empire right under our noses.”

“Did you know him before?” I asked Xavier curiously. From the way he spoke, it sounded like the two knew each other, but the last I’d heard, the head of the Perez family was unknown.

Anger brewed in Xavier’s eyes. “He’s an old acquaintance of mine. There are too many eyes and ears right now to speak on the matter, but I’m sure Stefano will fill you in.”

I nodded my understanding and didn’t ask any follow-up questions. This wasn’t the right time, it seemed.

Stefano whipped out his phone and began typing. “I’ll have Jackson look into his financials while your men keep searching for his hideout. We can’t fight an enemy we can’t see.”

“Something we both agree on.” Xavier nodded. Both father and son seemed keen on taking down the Perez family.

It made me think of Jalen.

I doubted Stefano would allow me to approach Jalen without a security escort, but also I doubted Jalen would tell me anything if I weren’t alone.

And I desperately wanted to try and convince Jalen to join the Roscottos, for both our sakes.

I sighed.

“Catalina,” Christina called out, attracting my attention.

“Hmm?”

“I have a task for you.” She smiled brightly, but the sharpness in her eyes caused me to straighten in my seat.

I looked at her warily. “What is it?”

“I want you to plan the end-of-year closing ceremony for the games. I’ve already spoken to our executives, and we’ve all agreed that you should be the one to host it.”

I stiffened.

Me? Host a party? And a party with such significance?

I’d never done that before, and the thought terrified me, almost as much as the games did.

“Uh” was all I could say.

It wasn’t like I could decline either. I understood why they issued me such a task—I was to be the next first lady of the Roscotto family, after all—but at the same time…why? Why now? Why not wait until I’d co-hosted with Christina a few times before throwing me to the wolves?

I knew next to nothing about planning such large-scale events.

Christina smiled in a comforting manner, as if she noticed the panic in my eyes.

“Don’t worry. When I first married Xavier, I hired planners to help me with almost everything. You don’t have to do that, though, because you have me. I’ll walk you through everything.”

I blew out a breath and nodded, relieved. “Thank you.”

“I can also help if you find the work too much,” Genevieve pitched in, forcing me to acknowledge her presence at the other end of the table.

She smiled sweetly, as if we’d always been on good terms. “We’re going to be sister wives, after all.”

I frowned. “Please don’t address me as such—we’re not sisters. And I’m sure I can manage on my own. If not, I’m sure Rena would be a great help.”

Genevieve’s smile wavered, and she glanced across the room where Rena was standing, conversing with Gabriella and a few other women. Frost covered Genevieve’s eyes, and she turned her head away, saying nothing else.

“Catalina, how have you been doing after your ordeal?” Xavier asked. “Are you still feeling weak? I heard a number of the women have been taking a long time to recover.”

“Thank you for asking. I’m slowly recovering. Training has resumed, and I’ve started to regain my strength.”

He nodded. “That’s good. Keep it up. You’re doing great.”

“Thank you.”

We fell into conversation about more family-related news before the discussion delved into politics. I had never been interested in politics before now, so I had to force myself to keep note of key figures. It felt like I was doing homework so I could pass a class.

As I mentally filed away names and positions that were key assets to the Roscotto family dealings, with the intention of asking Sam for a tutorial later, I felt Christina’s eyes on me.

I glanced at her, and her face was pinched in a frown. She was ignoring the conversation and was solely focused on me.

I sat up straighter, smoothed my dress, and delicately wiped my mouth. But none of this stopped her staring.

Eventually, she spoke up, waving a finger between Stefano and me. “You two are very estranged today. I don’t like it.”

Stefano and I glanced at each other, then glanced away.

Stefano swung his arm over the back of my chair. “We’re fine, Mother.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m your mother, not an idiot. Your energy has been off since you walked in the room. Normally, you two are much closer together, but Catalina is leaning away.”

I stiffened and looked toward Stefano, only to see that his mother was correct. There was a bit of distance between us. I hadn’t noticed that at all.

“Leave them be,” Xavier told his wife. “They’re doing a good job of hiding it. Couples fight all the time.”

She huffed. “What do you know? Sometimes people need a little push in the right direction.”

“You’re not pushing them, love. You’re simply stating the obvious.”

“Whose side are you on?”

“Yours. Always.”

I smiled at their banter.

“Oh!” I exclaimed as Stefano suddenly pulled my chair closer to his. I looked at him just as he bent and pressed his lips against mine.

I froze, my mind trying to register what had just happened, but by the time it did, Stefano had already pulled away.

He used his thumb to wipe the lipstick from his lips and addressed his mother. “As you can see, we’ll be fine.”

She smiled teasingly. “Does that mean I’ll be seeing grandbabies soon?”

My stomach flipped. ~Me? Pregnant?~ I hadn’t thought of that.

Caught off guard and a little bit flustered, I excused myself. “I’m going to say hi to Gabby and Rena. I’ll be back.”

I quickly left the table like my ass was on fire and walked toward the girls.

Just as I got to them, a commotion broke out between another group of women.

“That bitch! I’ll kill her!”