The Twelve Zenati Pt. 22

Marcella gave a small laugh. They'd been all but living together for days. He'd seen her in her underwear and bikini before. This was no different. Except that today felt different and she couldn't work out if it was the bet they had made, or if it was because he seemed to be doing just what he said and creating the perfect day for her, doing exactly what she said she wanted to do. He had done all this for her, and she was shooting him down anytime he made a display of simple affection. Why had he put his arm around her and held her close just now? Why was he trying to hold her hand, and being so nice and sweet all day? It was easy to shoot him down when he smirked and voiced some innuendo or another. She felt awkward and unsure of herself when he was sweet and nice to her for no apparent reason. She huffed, finding it hard to justify the words that had made him back off so completely.

If she were honest, she would have admitted that she hadn't believed that anything she could say would make him react as if she had hurt his feelings. That was just the way they bantered, and he had been very clear about his expectations for the day and the bet they had made, while she had remained sceptical about everything.

It wasn't that she and Noah weren't attracted to each other, because it was evident that they were. The chemistry between them the last few days had been electric, even though she had resisted falling into bed with him without a barrier between them. A situation she knew would forever be changed by this day of adventure if she continued to give in to every temptation that he posed her. But it was more than that. It was the edgy danger that she associated with each activity he had planned for her, and which she found undeniably exciting, that concerned her. There was something about him, and that made her a little crazy today. She finally realised that, even when he teased her, the arrogant, know-it-all arsehole had disappeared over the last few days and she had been left with the confident and sexy Noah that she had met when she first arrived in Darwin.

She liked to believe that she was the queen of cool. Self-control was her middle name, and yet, after what she had already allowed to happen between them today, she could admit she was rapidly losing that sense of self-control. The time left in this day could be the excuse to allow herself to let go and to revel in wild abandonment she had already decided she wanted. If she apologised and he stopped sulking, she could just give in and play into his baseball analogy, and take that exciting thrill ride with him, as well as whatever else he had planned. Her stomach muscles fluttered with a ripple of excitement and longing, as she acknowledged that he would be a very thrilling ride.

Deciding to go and find him and make amends so that they could carry on with his plans, she stood and turned back toward the interior of the cruiser, only to find him walking toward her with a concerned expression on his face. She felt that small prick of guilt again and took a deep breath.

"Look, I probably shouldn't have said that the whole third base thing was a mistake," Marcella said, getting close to an apology without actually apologising.

"Come, sit down," Noah said gently, ignoring her attempt at smoothing over the tension between them. "Something's come up that we need to talk about."

"Shit! Did Bea call? I knew I should have checked my phone earlier," Marcella asked, in a panicked rush of words.

"No, this has nothing to do with the Suebi or our deal with Bea," Noah smiled softly and guided her back to the couches on the main deck.

"You're making me worry here," Marcella frowned at him.

"Just promise to listen to everything I have to say before interrupting, okay?" Noah asked seriously.

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" she asked.

"Probably not, but I think that there is a way we can deal with it, and still do what we need to do with Bea. Will you listen to all I have to say before reacting?" There was a slight pleading tone in his question.

"Fine," she snapped and sat back, crossing her arms.

"Oscar Gambaro and his younger brother Isidore arrived in Darwin today," Noah began and paused, expecting a reaction from her. "I didn't know they were coming. Apparently, it was a last-minute thing. Nathanael is a childhood friend of Xavier and, therefore, Oscar is included in that friendship, and Isidore and Genesis have worked together several times over the years and are close. Isidore went to check on Olivia, and Oscar is asking to see you as well, to ensure that you are being treated well by us. The Gambaro didn't know you left the hospital the way you did, or why. Oscar and his brothers are concerned about your welfare, given the circumstances and the ill-will between four of the Tables because of the situation," he paused and let her digest that fact.

"I've met Isidore," she said quietly, considering all that he was saying, and trying to wait for all of the information, before refusing outright to endanger her deal with Bea because Table men were demanding that she do as she was told and return home.

"It's been years since any of the Tables were at war. I think that, with the attempts made on the mothers, yet another scandal for the Battaglia coming to light where a Table woman was mistreated, Olivia's involvement with the Suebi, and the strange behaviour of Apollo Martino, there is a storm brewing, that some of the less influential families will take advantage of, once the truth comes out. I believe that the Gambaros have their own secrets, that they don't wish to come to light, which is why they are requesting to see you immediately." Noah let the real issue drop and held up his hand to forestall her.

"I'm not..."

"Please, just let me finish," Noah asked in a soft, gentle voice and took her hand in his.

"Okay," she said, drawing out the word as if not convinced that he could say anything to make her meet with them today, or ruin the plans she had put in place with Bea.

"I believe that the current Table, made up of Oscar's fathers and uncles, covered up the scandal of sending an underage Gambaro girl to the Battaglia for training. The Battaglia sent you back as soon as they realised that they had been lied to, and I believe that your father had been reprimanded quite severely. The cover-up by both families was so complete that it left the door open for your father to send you a second time, with a small modification to your name. That second time wasn't as easily covered up, hence the investigation from the Thirteen, and subsequent penalties for both the Battaglia and the Gambaro's including your father and Uncle. The Battaglia had enough to deal with at that time, due to the confrontation between Veronica and Peri Donati, so they sent Apollo with you, to ensure your safety when you returned home." He paused so she could confirm that what he said was true.

"I don't know about that side of it, but yes, Apollo came home with me the second time and organised for me to stay with my Aunt rather than return to my family home," Marcella confirmed, her brow furrowing as she took in all of what he was saying. "Jessa left shortly after that to marry, and I got Olivia out of that house not long after that."

"Oscar and Nathanael are good men, Marcella. I honestly believe that they intend you no harm at all. They just want to understand what happened and give you the support you lacked from your family when you needed it. They have also offered full support and assistance with Olivia's case," he explained. "I think that if you, at least, video chatted with them, then they would extend their demands to meet with you until after the raid on Hermione's."

"As if they would ever listen to what I wanted," she sighed.

"We are born into a patriarchal society for the most part but, in truth, it is the mothers of the next generations who rule the Tables. You have more power than you realise, Marcella. You shouldn't be concerned about talking with Oscar. He's a good man, and you have the advantage, right now. You can control this meeting. You can decide on the time and place, even the conditions surrounding the meeting. I will be there to support you, and back you up if you want to leave the meeting at any time," Noah reassured her.

"What if they command me to return to Perth? Would you break the rules of the Tables, or cause an even bigger incident by helping me run from them?" she asked carefully.

"I highly doubt that that will be the case. My family would point out that you and Olivia are both safer here than you ever were in your own home," Noah said, with certainty. "There is another way to ensure that won't happen..." he said tentatively, and took her left hand in his, feeling his stomach lurch and pain form in his chest as he considered what to say.

"I won't give up on Olivia and run away. She needs me to do this. No one else has even got close to finding Hermione's. I can't run now. I can't let her be arrested and prosecuted," she said, sadly wondering how hard it would be to reason with Oscar about how much Olivia needed her right now.

"I would never ask you to give up on Olivia. I'm here helping you because I know how important this is, not just to you, but to Gen and my family. You're right. No one else could have done what you did. I am amazed by your tenacity, even if it does drive me crazy when you charge off without considering the danger," he chuckled and swallowed, considering his next words carefully as she looked at him suspiciously.

"Then what?" Marcella huffed at the words of praise that she hadn't expected. She huffed again, not understanding what he was saying about ensuring Oscar could or would not command her to return home and have the Zenati comply, rather than have her create another incident in their state.

"Make this real." He twisted the ring that he had placed on her finger as part of their disguise. "Announce our engagement to both families. We can have a long engagement, but it would mean that my rights to keep you close and safe with me would far outweigh their familial rights. It would also put Apollo in his place once and for all," he added, thinking that was possibly the best effect the announcement of their engagement would have.

"You want to marry me? Knowing everything you know about my family and my past? You want to marry me?" Marcella asked her, eyes narrowing. "Why would you want that?"

"Why wouldn't I want that?" Noah asked, with some frustration. "Since picking you up at the airport, I haven't made any secret that I felt the chemistry between us. The hardest thing I ever did was walk away from you that night when you asked me into your apartment. But I am not a man who wants a one-night stand or casual affair. I don't do booty calls, and you obviously weren't offering or ready for more than that. You didn't trust the men of the Tables, and that included my brothers and me," he sighed.

Marcella's face flamed in embarrassment as he spoke about what she had taken as a personal rejection and the real reason that he had left her that night, rather than sharing her bed. She was speechless, but Noah didn't let the silence between them build to awkwardness.

"You haven't let your past affect your future. Why would you think it would matter to me? All the things I have learned about you since you arrived have only made me want you more. You're insanely smart and ferocious when it comes to protecting the people you care about. You're stubbornly independent but also considerate of others and, best of all, you share my love of adrenaline-fuelled adventures. Our lives together could be the best adventure of all." He spoke from his heart, unsure if she would believe him or not.

"So, I could say yes and just announce our engagement to everyone, and they would back off and leave me alone?" Marcella asked, furrowing her brow. That had been her original plan to make her father back off, but if it made everyone leave her alone, well, everyone except Noah, she could do the engagement thing. It didn't mean she had to marry him.

"Well, I would have to talk to Oscar, and possibly his father, about it, but I can't imagine they would have any concerns that my family couldn't deal with, so, yes. The answer to your question is yes. Is that what you are saying as well?" he asked, wanting to hear her say it but not wanting to push her, in case she said no, just to be arbitrary. It was strange to ask her to marry him in this way, without professing his love or expecting hers, but he knew he wanted it and given enough time, her love would emerge. He just had to keep her safe until the whole shit storm blew over.

"How long would the engagement be?" she asked. "Could either of us change our minds, or is it a contract we would have to adhere to?" She looked down at her hand and the unusual ring she wore as part of her disguise. "Could I keep this ring?" she asked.

"We can make it a contracted engagement if you like, and be specific in the terms about you remaining with the Zenati. The wedding doesn't have to happen this week or even this month, but within the year is preferable," Noah stated, matching her business-like voice as they discussed their possible engagement and wedding. "I love this ring, but you can keep it and choose another black diamond engagement ring if you want." He picked up her hand and kissed her fingers close to the ring. "I want this Marcella. I want you for better or worse."

"I... You..." Marcella stammered and took a deep breath. "It's a lot, you know." Her mind whirled with the benefits of saying yes, and reasons why she had always believed that she could never marry a Table man. Time was running out for her, and she knew it. Noah deserved to know the things that she had kept hidden from everyone before she agreed to anything, including returning home, once she had ensured Olivia's freedom and financial independence.

"We could video-call them. Ask them for time to return," Noah reminded her. "You don't have to give up on finding Hermione's, and you don't have to give me an answer right now."

"There are things that you don't know. Things you should know before... well... before making that offer again," she admitted. "There are things I want to know, to do, to see..." Marcella tried to put her disjointed thoughts into words.

"Take your time. You're right, it's a lot to process in one go," Noah said gently and leaned back on the couch, pulling her close to him, despite her earlier reluctance, before he had found out about Oscar and Isidore's visit. "Just breathe and relax for a moment and let it all sink in."

*****

"When were you going to mention that Marcella fled after being hospitalised with a severe concussion?" Oscar asked as he placed his phone back on the table.

"It was a simple misunderstanding, and Noah has been with her since shortly after she left the hospital," Xavier said. "We have messaged him to let him know that you wish to meet with Marcella, as well as Olivia, while you are here."

"Isidore has met with Olivia and believes that I should join him there. Care to accompany me?" Oscar asked.

"I'll have a car brought around for us," Xavier agreed. He had been friends with Nathanael since childhood, but he was still wary of Oscar, and he wondered if perhaps Oscar was put out that he had gone to Nathanael with his questions about the Gambaro sisters, rather than Oscar himself. He opened his mouth to speak, but Oscar cut him off.

"Nathanael speaks highly of you; he counts you as a friend." Oscar began with an edge to his voice. "Knowing that he was seriously injured, why didn't you bring your concerns to me? I am the Chair and your counter-part after all. Consider if the situations were reversed and it was I who went to Dominic for assistance shortly after his surgery?"

"It is the nature of each Table to hide their weaknesses. We didn't know how injured Nathanael was, just as you could not have known of my condition," Dominic answered. "The hard truth for us, Oscar, is that those twelve boys including Xavier and Nathaniel, who were forced into close proximity with each other, year after year, saved our families because of that trust and friendship. When the alarm sounded, not one of them hesitated to believe Ricco, because of their bond with Matteo and recent contact with Ricco himself. That trust in Nathanael is possibly the one reason we couldn't believe that the Table men knew or sanctioned what had happened to Marcella and her sisters. Had Oscar not had that faith in Nathanael, we may have taken our doubt and need for answers to the Thirteen."

"I see," Oscar nodded. It wasn't a threat, of that he was sure, but he acknowledged that he did not have the bonds of friendship with these men that his brother did. They had no reason to trust him or his answers to their queries and, without that faith in Nathanael's honour, they could very well have taken the issue to the Thirteen. "I appreciate that the depth of your inquiry has gone no further. Nathanael will never admit to anyone how close to death he was, but trust me when I say, it will be a long road to recovery for him."

"Then it's only good news that he will recover given time and I will heed your warnings and include you in any future conversations," Xavier said, almost as formally as Oscar had spoken.

"There's more though, isn't there?" Dominic address Oscar.

"I want to speak to the sisters first before I relay all my information. Do not worry. They will be safe with and from me and my men," Oscar said carefully. "However, we have discovered some relevant information that I am unsure the two sisters are aware of, and I believe it could be the cause of the trauma in the childhoods." He went on to explain about the inheritance and the dowries set up for each girl and the provisions for it if any of them died or were deemed unfit to receive it. He explained their theories on how that played out for Jessa and Marcella's time with the Battaglia and eventually would have for Olivia, just as Isidore had told Genesis.

The unique melody of the facetime app sounded from Oscar's phone, and he picked it up to check it. Noah was calling, which meant he had spoken to Marcella already and was getting back to them. When he answered it, it wasn't Noah's face he saw but Marcella's.

"Marcella, this is a surprise." His voice showed evidence of what he said.

"Hello, Xavier. I'm sorry to be the cause so many problems for you. That was never my intention, but I need to do one last thing before I come back. It might take a few more days. Can you let Oscar Gambaro know that I am safe and content here?" she asked.

"You can tell him yourself. He is here with me," Xavier said, and before she could respond or argue with him, he handed his phone to Oscar.

"Marcella?" Oscar queried, taking the phone.

"Yes. We've never met before, though I know Isidore would know me by sight if he is there. I am Marcella Gambaro," she acknowledged. "I'm afraid I won't be able to come back and meet you in person for a few more days. What I am doing is very important to both my sister Olivia and me. I am not in the city right now. I called to let you know that I am quite safe and happy, and I will return once I have done what I set out to do."

"I see. And what exactly are you doing?" Oscar asked, with a frown.

"Finding evidence to clear my sister's name. I know others are trying to do the same thing, but I am so close, and I can't risk losing this chance, just because you tell me to return. I won't, and I will face the consequences of that decision later if I have to," she said, with resolve.

"I see," Oscar said, considering her response. "There will be no consequences. However, I believe that you may be at risk of harm from your father and Uncle's cohorts. I would like to send one of my most trusted men to meet with you, to protect you and ensure your safety until we can speak in person," he explained.