Chapter 18 Delilah , who had been watching their interaction from the base of the stairs , hardly paid attention to their exchange . Her curiosity pulled her in a different direction , something far more intriguing . She stepped down , her heels clicking softly against the floor , and turned her attention to Marco . " What's going on , Marco ? " she asked , her eyes narrowing slightly . There was an unusual air in the mansion - an energy she hadn't felt before . Marco looked at her , his lips curling into a knowing smirk . " Today is the D - day . " Delilah opened her mouth to press for more information , but before she could , the heavy front doors creaked open . A group of men marched in with their own guards in tow . Their presence immediately filled the room with an unspoken authority . They moved like wolves , commanding every inch of the space with their 0.00 % 1312 Chapter 18 powerful stride . Delilah's breath caught as she noticed the thick , gleaming gold chains around their necks , glittering under the chandeliers . It clicked in her mind instantly - these weren't just any men . " Rispetto , " Marco muttered under his breath , his eyes locked on the group . ( " Respect " ) Delilah's heart raced . Could this be the ceremony where Marco officially becomes Capo of the Cosa Nostra ? Her thoughts whirled with excitement and awe . She had never been this close to such high - ranking mafia members before . There was something both thrilling and dangerous about it . Marco stood taller , his posture shifting . He moved with the kind of respect she had rarely seen from him- shoulders squared , eyes direct , yet humble . He extended his right hand , offering it for a handshake in the traditional Italian 12.80 % 13 12 Chapter 18 style , bowing his head slightly . " Buongiorno , " Marco said smoothly in Italian as the men approached . " Benvenuti nella mia casa . " ( Good morning . Welcome to my home . ) One of the men , wearing a heavy ring that glinted in the light , clasped Marco's hand . " Onorevole Marco , è un grande giorno per tutti noi . " ( Honorable Marco , this is a great day for all of us . ) Marco turned to Delilah , a proud gleam in his eyes . 28 hers " This is my wife , Delilah , " he introduced , switching seamlessly between languages . Delilah , who had been standing silently beside Marco , felt all eyes shift to her . Without missing a beat , she offered them a polite smile and responded in perfect Italian . " È un onore conoscervi . " ( It's an honor to meet you . ) Marco's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise . He hadn't expected Delilah to speak Italian so fluently - he could barely recall hearing her use the language before . But as she stood there , elegant and composed , he felt a swell of pride . She fit into this world better than even he had expected . 25.12 % 13 12 Chapter 18 The men nodded , offering her a brief yet respectful acknowledgment before shifting their attention back to Marco . Marco , still in his role as the dutiful host , kept the exchange short . 1280 Veyche He leaned closer to Delilah , his voice soft yet affectionate as he whispered , " Cara , scusami , abbiamo delle cose importanti da discutere . " ( My dear , excuse me , we have important matters to discuss . ) Then , with an unexpected tenderness , Marco brushed his lips against her cheek . The small act caught Delilah off guard , and she felt a warmth rise in her chest , a blush creeping up her neck . He was playing the role well - too well . But the peck felt genuine in a way that rattled her slightly . She glanced down , trying to hide the smile that was pulling at her lips . } " Of course , Marco , " she said sweetly , stepping aside with a graceful nod . Delilah knew her place here . This wasn't her stage . 40.45 % 13120 Chapter 18 She understood that Marco needed privacy for whatever was about to unfold , and as tradition dictated , women rarely stayed for the more delicate moments of these kinds of ceremonies . She ascended the stairs slowly , her eyes flickering around the room . As she reached the top , a sudden wave of curiosity struck her . She wasn't supposed to watch , but that didn't stop her from sneaking a glance . From her vantage point upstairs , she could observe the ceremony without drawing attention to herself . The men were forming a procession now , and her suspicions were confirmed when she spotted Elder Donato walking in . Marco , standing beside the elder , looked both calm and focused . The men who had arrived earlier were the Underboss and Consigliere- two of the highest - ranking members in the organization . Delilah had never seen such power gathered in one place . As the ceremony began , Delilah leaned slightly over the railing , watching intently . Marco stepped forward with the confidence of someone who had been preparing for this moment his entire life . B4 % 13 12 Chapter 18 1283 Whuc bety He swore loyalty and took the omertà , the vow of silence that bound him to the family forever . " Giuro di essere fedele e leale a questa famiglia , " Marco recited . ( I'swear to be faithful and loyal to this family . ) A senior member , perhaps the Underboss , stepped forward to bless him . " Che tu possa guidare con forza , onore e saggezza . " ( May you lead with strength , honor , and wisdom . ) Then came the token - an ornate ring that signified his new position . It gleamed in the light as it was slipped onto Marco's finger , marking him officially as the new Capo . The men embraced him in turn , offering him hugs and kisses , the ceremonial signs of respect and acceptance . " Congratulazioni , Capo , " they said , one after another . ( Congratulations , Capo . ) The room hummed with low conversation as the men shared words of wisdom and offered their support . Delilah , still watching from above , noticed how Marco's demeanor shifted . He seemed ... lighter , almost . FQ FRO 1312 Chapter 16 11 He was in his element , surrounded by the men he was now expected to lead . When the speeches concluded , glasses of champagne were passed around , and a toast was raised in Marco's honor . The men clinked their glasses together , their eyes gleaming with approval and satisfaction . " Alla nuova era , sotto la guida del nostro Capo Marco , " one of the men said as they toasted . ( To the new era , under the leadership of our Capo Marco . ) Delilah couldn't help but smile as she watched . Despite everything - despite the dangerous world she had been thrust into -there was something captivating about seeing Marco in this moment . He was truly happy . His eyes sparkled with satisfaction , the thrill of finally claiming his place among the leaders of the Cosa Nostra . From her hidden spot upstairs , Delilah realized that this was only the beginning . Marco had become Capo , and with that title came both power and responsibility . 84.02 % 13 12 Chapter 18 A part of her was proud , yet another part knew that this world , with all its rules and expectations , would demand even more from them both . 97.89 %