Chapter 3 THREE

After breakfast, my eighteenth birthday schedule continued, and the next activity was the photo session in Vibo Valentia, which I had carefully planned in advance. Federica, my companion, was always by my side, accompanying me at all times.

Dressed in an elegant white dress, I was posing for photos on the beach, while the morning sun illuminated the scene with a golden glow. The sea breeze whispered gently, and the photographer worked diligently to capture my beauty and the transition from girl to woman that this day symbolized.

As I posed, an unexpected wave came from the sea and hit me, making my white dress wet and cling to my body. Fortunately, the fabric didn't become completely transparent, but the sensation of being wet and vulnerable added an unexpected touch to the photo session.

The photographer, taking advantage of the situation, said it was great as the photos would reflect the idea that I was leaving behind my girlhood and becoming a beautiful woman, as if the sea had embraced me to celebrate this transition.

While I tried to maintain my composure and continue with the poses, I noticed something unusual from the top of the rocky walls that surrounded the beach. It was the figure of Dante watching me from a safe distance.

A shiver ran down my spine as I saw him up there, his gaze fixed on me. It was an expression I had never seen on his face before, a mixture of desire and something else that I couldn't identify precisely. He seemed different, darker, and more intense than the Dante I knew. I had no idea what Dante was doing there, watching me so intensely. It wasn't common for him to get involved in this kind of thing, especially when it came to me.

Curious and disturbed at the same time, I turned to Federica and pointed in Dante's direction. "Federica, what is Dante doing here?"

Federica turned to where I was pointing, but when her eyes met the spot where Dante should have been, there was no one there. She frowned, concerned, and then looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Catarina, I don't see anyone up there. Maybe the sun is affecting your vision. Perhaps you're hallucinating."

My eyes widened in surprise. Was I hallucinating? I looked back at the rocks, but Dante had completely disappeared. It was as if he had never been there.

I knew what I had seen. Dante was there, I was sure of it. However, I also knew that this argument would lead nowhere, and Federica was right to end the photo session, concerned for me.

I nodded in agreement and walked away from the water, back to the safety of the beach. As the photographer put away his camera, I couldn't get the image of Dante out of my mind. Whatever he was doing there, that expression on his face left me shaken. And I had no idea what it meant for the future of our complicated relationship.

***

After the strange episode on the beach, I returned to the mansion and went straight to my room, where I changed my wet dress for a blouse, Capri pants, and high heels. After all, I still had lunch scheduled with the daughters of the other 'Ndrangheta families. It was a formality that catered to the wishes of the late Lucrezia, Don Salvatore's wife.

While tying my hair into a ponytail, I passed by the training room where my brothers Massimo, Luca, and Matteo were practicing with each other. Self-defense skills were something we had all been trained in since childhood, including me, and I prided myself on being very proficient in Krav Maga, a personal defense system that taught that the best defense was a quick and decisive offense.

I longed to be in there with them, feeling the adrenaline of the fights, but I had my duties. Sometimes, being the only woman in the family had its disadvantages. I was about to leave when Massimo called out to me, his voice tinged with curiosity.

"Where are you going, Catarina?" he asked.

I casually replied as I tied my hair. "I'm going to lunch with the other girls."

Massimo seemed a little disappointed. "Too bad. I was just finishing training with Matteo."

I smiled with disdain, teasing him. "Matteo will never be a match for me."

At that moment, Matteo appeared in the room, as if the mention of his name had summoned him. He raised an eyebrow and retorted, "I highly doubt that, Catarina."

It wasn't in my nature to back down from a challenge. I looked at the three brothers confidently and said, challengingly, that I could beat them in Krav Maga, even in high heels.

The three brothers exchanged glances and began to laugh, as if they found it impossible that I could defeat all of them together. Massimo, the most extroverted of the three, broke the silence.

"Are you serious, Catarina? Do you mean little Bambi thinks she can defeat the three of us?"

I pointed a finger, correcting Massimo, "First, don't call me Bambi. Second, yes, I can beat all of you."

Matteo stepped forward, confident. "Let's go, then. Prove it."

Without wasting any time, we positioned ourselves in the training room, and the fight began. High heels and all. I was determined to show that I shouldn't be underestimated, and with quick and precise movements, I began to take on my brothers.

The fight was intense, and I realized I was dealing with formidable opponents. Massimo was surprisingly fast and strong, Luca was clever and agile, and Matteo had a solid technical knowledge of Krav Maga. However, I didn't give up.

With every move, I pushed myself to the limit, remembering the rigorous training Don Salvatore had given me over the years. As sweat trickled down my face, I realized I was starting to gain the advantage. One by one, my brothers were defeated. In the end, we were all panting and tired. I stood triumphantly while my brothers were on the ground, acknowledging my victory.

Massimo laughed as he got up. "You won, Catarina. I wouldn't have expected anything less from you."

Luca joined him, shaking his head in admiration. "It was impressive. You're really good."

Matteo, still recovering from the fight, nodded. "You've shown that you're a true Mancuso, Catarina."

As I assumed my pose, with renewed confidence, I knew that that moment had been more than just a game. It had been an assertion of my place in the family, a demonstration that I was as capable as my brothers, even if they were bigger and stronger.

However, the joy and pride I felt were short-lived, dissipating like a puff of smoke when a deep and threatening voice echoed in the room. "You're not a Mancuso, Bambi."

I turned abruptly and found Dante standing in the doorway, watching the scene with a cynical smile on his face.

He entered the space and uttered words that cut like sharp knives. "You're just a Piromalli... a nobody, a bastard. And you always will be."

My expression turned into a mask of anger, and I stared at him with determination. "Retract what you said, Dante."

He just smiled disdainfully. "I won't take anything back, Bambi. You are that... a bastard. A Bambi."

Dante's taunting ignited a fire within me, a fire that compelled me to claim my place and honor. I took a fighting stance and challenged him, my eyes flashing with determination. "Retract what you said, Dante."

He laughed, his laugh dripping with superiority. "Do you really think you're a match for me in Krav Maga, Bambi?"

A confident smile curved my lips as I responded. "I just defeated three Mancusos at once. I'm sure you won't even tickle."

Dante shrugged, as if he were bored with the situation. "I'm not a man who rolls around on the floor to prove anything."

I stared at him, intrigued and cautious. "What do you want, then?"

Dante looked into my eyes and proposed a deal. "If I win, I'll take the Russian meeting. If you win, I'll leave you alone."

The proposal was unexpected, and I hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is that all? It's that simple?"

He nodded. "It's that simple."

I agreed, accepting the challenge. After all, I wasn't afraid to face my adopted brother, even if it was a physical battle. He began to take off his suit, revealing his well-defined and muscular abs, and for some reason, that sight affected me in an unexpected way.

I knew I was about to embark on a confrontation that wouldn't be just physical but also a battle for honor and respect within the Mancuso family. And I was determined to win, no matter the cost.