The estate sat on a busy street in the old neighborhood, where everyone knew everyone's business. The commotion drew neighbors from every direction, and whispers rippled through the growing crowd.
"They say the new Ferrante Boss is famously devoted to his wife. He's got two children with her and won't even keep a woman on the side. So where did THIS wife come from?"
"Probably a fraud. I mean, look at her. The Ferrante house is connected. She claims to be his wife, but she looks like a beggar off the road. Bet she's just some grifter trying to latch onto a Family name."
I listened without a flicker of emotion, then reached into the bundle I'd brought and pulled out a marriage certificate.
"Take a good look. This is Dante Ferrante's own handwriting. If he refuses to acknowledge me as his wife, I'll take this certificate straight to the Commission and demand justice."
The head steward, lurking in the shadows of the gate, caught a glimpse of the handwriting on the certificate from a distance. His brow furrowed.
He leaned toward the gate soldier. "Stay here and watch her. I'm going in to inform the Boss and the lady of the house."
I saw every bit of it.