It was a very different world to be the one waiting on the inductee versus being inducted.

Something about how slow the minutes passed made her stomach churn.

Lena dug her fingers into the thick fabric of her dress pants willing herself to be still. Opting to tap her for impatiently as she scanned the room. Most of tables were empty. Not a surprise since most of the family would be around Samuel for the induction. The few that weren't seemed almost as uneasy and impatient at her.

From what she could tell, Marcus would reveal at any chance to toss her out. Being there for the pre-event would likely still nullify the engagement between her and Samuel. Which meant that she couldn't do anything but sit and wait.

"You know that you can relax a little bit. If you keep acting like you're waiting for a chance to kill someone, everyone will leave before the main event starts." Jovani's warm voice brushed across the back her neck. The warmth against her clammy skin caused it to prickle unpleasantly. That along with not having noticed the other renter the room put Lena even further on edge. Her senses weren't as sharp as she wanted them to be. Especially not for a situation where she wasn't exactly safe.

"I would recommend then that you go and tell your cousin to hurry along. The guests will start leaving of their own volution if he takes much longer."

Lena knew that she certainly would have. If not for it being Samuel. No alliance was worth wasting this much time over. This was not the way the mafia world worked. Time was a precious commodity.Who did Marcus think he was to go about wasting their time in such a manner.

"Patience. Patience. I'm certain that Marcus isn't the only reason things are taking longer."

Jovani wasn't wrong in his guess on that matter.

Even after hearing that Lena had shown up, Samuel refused to play the game.

He didn't want to go about it the way Marcus wanted to and had no problem telling the other as much.

"It doesn't matter what you want to do right now, Sammy. Everyone is already here." Marcus's tone was laced with annoyance as he grabbed his younger cousin's arm.

"You are already dressed for the part. After this, you will be the new head of the family. Time to start acting like it." Would he though? Samuel wrenched his arm out of the other's hold. Taking two steps back, he put distance between them.action

"I am not arguing against going through with this. I am saying that I either want Lena to be up here with me or I want a chance to talk with her before we start." Marcus hissed in annoyance as he rounded on the other. His calm facade broke as he made a grab for the other.

"And I am telling you that you don't get to make demands right now." Jerking his collar, Marcus pulled Samuel towards him until they were level. Samuel winced and grabbed ahold of the other's arms as the other shook him roughly. "If you want to fix whatever pissy couple issue going on between you two do it on your own time. Right now, you're on my time. That means you do as you're told. Is that clear, little cousin?" Samuel glared back in response to the question.He may have been fighting a losing battle against his much stronger cousin, but that didn't mean he had to give in easily.

Samuel opened his mouth to make a retort but was interrupted when a knock sounded on the door as it was opened.

"Well, now. This explains what the hold-up is about. The ceremony hasn't even started yet and the two of you are already fighting?" Jovani's tone was exasperated as he sauntered over to the pair.

"Can't all of this fighting wait until after we're done?" The current Vedova Nera boss tapped Marcus's arm with his left pointer finger. The small action was enough to get his almost twin cousin's attention.

"Tell the little shit to stop throwing a fit and do as he's told then." Jovani's gaze shifted from Marcus to Samuel, who wisely remained silent despite the displeasure etched across his features.

"Isn't 'little shit' a bit harsh to address the person who will soon be taking over the family?" Jovani cocked his head slightly, eyes questioning as he continued to tap on Marcus's arm. The repetitive action ripped a growl from the other's throat.

"I will address him however I please until after his ass goes through with the ceremony. If he doesn't like it, he can get his respect by acting his role now." Samuel's annoyance grew as they continued to talk about him as though he weren't there.

"In what way am I out of line for making a request? This is my initiation process after all. Shouldn't I be able to pick Lena as one of the main people up here with me." Marcus tsked but couldn't speak before Jovani interjected once more.

"You should, yes. However, with you two already being engaged, we need to pick someone else to be here for your swearing-in. Actually, I know exactly the person." Jovani knew he would regret his choice. However, he could not think of anyone safer at the current moment for his younger cousin.

For a few hours, he would make peace. Whether Marcus agreed or not, it didn't matter. He was the boss. Jovani's eyes fluttered as he sent a silent prayer to whatever god listened to the mafia and turned on his heel.

"Who?" Jovani could feel Marcus's narrowed gaze on his back but only waved his twin cousin off.

"You get everything together, and I will be right back." Jovani disappeared before he could be pressed further regarding his choice.Too much questioning and he might actually change his mind.

If things were going to progress smoothly, he couldn't back out now.