We all laugh; Zane really has no idea. Even after my explanation earlier.
"About four or five times a year, there are parties held solely to bring all business associates together. In doing so, the top dogs can get together and talk business while the rest of us enjoy free drink, good music, and get to map out who’s a friend and who’s a fiend," Carlo explains. He keeps a watchful eye on Zane, checking that he understands. "Tonight, Maverick, is your turn to show us that you’re not here for Amelia like we all know you are, but are here to make friends, spot your enemies, and win a few hot chicks over just to piss Gio off. Sound easy enough for you?"
I remain quiet on the matter, knowing that so much of Zane’s survival still remains balanced on me. I’m a major catalyst in his life and have been since that very first collision. Everyone suspects his motive isn’t really to become a strong force within the Dio Lavoro, but to use a positioning alongside my father as a means to get with me. These parties are his opportunity to show it’s not the case.
“So, I just need to sweet talk my way through the next few hours?” Zane asks, calming almost immediately. He’s done social events before in his job; he knows how to win over a crowd.
“And know how to drink good liquor without dropping,” Manuel comments, and I see him cringe. This forces me to laugh. “You drop, you never forget it.”
“Manuel would know,” Carlo jokes, chortling at the thought. He catches Zane’s confusion and laughs a little harder before explaining. “Manuel here isn’t cut from the same cloth. While Amelia can hold her liquor like any other, Manuel is a lightweight. It still haunts him.”
“Is that why you’re not as involved in family business?” Zane asks, his voice hesitates as he’s not sure if he’s overstepping the mark.
Manuel nods and smiles before speaking again. “It’s how I like it. I live on the outside and just do as I’m told when I’m told. I’m very much my mother’s son.”
“He’s doing me proud, though,” I comment, reaching out to pat his knee. “Showing us all you don’t have to run with the wolves to be strong.”
I give him a smile, showing just how proud I am of him. He’s standing strong in the face of aversion, worn his sexuality when most could have slammed the door on the closet and forgotten about it. Manuel, to me, is the epitome of strength. Many times before he’s stood by his beliefs, never followed the herd, and although he’s had him listed as weak, I see nothing close to the idea people have of him.
“But you’re not at the level to relax, buddy,” Manuel quips, leaning forward to look past me and to Zane. “You can breathe when you have people eating out of the palm your hands.”
I toss my head to look at Zane and give him a smile. “People always assume him to be the secret weapon. You have to earn that sort of fear, mister. Think you can handle it?”
“I can try,” Zane comments, and I can see he’s beginning to become extremely nervous.
A silence beckons us all as the drive continues and I allow myself to just think over what may occur. It’s a bad idea as the good and the bad scenarios attack me, forcing me to imagine Zane being a laughing stock, Zane winning everyone over, Zane being caught in the middle of a blood battle to see who’s the best. It’s not until the car slows to a steady halt that I escape my irrational mind. Once I enter the doors of this venue, it’s anyone’s game, and I just want to survive the evening unscathed.
When we finally get out of the car, I find Enzo waiting while the others go up into the building. It riles me to see Lorenzo now following Giovanni like a lost puppy and wonder if it was all an act just to get some attention from my father. As sourness becomes me, Carlo leads Manuel and Zane toward the entrance, and even though Zane looks at me, putting his arm out for me to loop onto, he goes ahead and leaves me with Enzo.
“You’re really going to ignore a man who sticks around through whatever?” he asks me as he puts his arm out for me to take – exactly how Zane just had.
I loop my arm through his and grin. “We’ve not spoken about the logistics, but we are sticking to our own goals here, Enzo. We work well together, but not when we are together, if that makes sense.”
He nods as we start to walk in but doesn’t relent, “Try not to be so hard on yourself or him. You only find your better half once, don’t let him go.”
“What, like you did with Alessandra?” I ask, and I know it’s a low blow when he stops our movements and pulls me aside. But I won’t be beaten down. “You loved her, Enzo. She was perfect for you and you let her go.”
“Because my life would jeopardize hers,” he says, and I only offer a pointed look, telling him I know that. “Zane is different. He’s willing to commit. She wanted me to leave, Lia. It wasn’t so possible to just up and leave.”