Page 10 of Vow of Desire
Emma and I share a smile, both of us knowing that this life is unfair to mafia women.
My father approaches us, putting his hand on my back. It’s a sign that I belong to him but soon I’ll belong to Matteo. A new life entirely. “Leo, I hope you’re not putting any crazy ideas in my daughter’s head.”
“Seeing as I’m the only one against her marrying Matteo, I think she’s safe with me.”
Rocco frowns. “I am completely against her marrying Matteo. But you know I can’t do anything against Gabriel. It’s his decision and this has to happen.”
“By signing your own daughter’s life away.”
“Need I remind you that if you had just given Emma to Matteo, then I wouldn’t have had to sacrifice my own daughter?”
Leo narrows his eyes. “Emma is my wife. Show some respect.”
“And Luciana is my daughter. Who I raised all on my own.”
“Come along, Emma,” Leo murmurs, putting his arm around her. “Gabriel doesn’t need us here tonight.” He makes a point of walking out of the house with Emma right beside him.
I notice Gabriel looks angry but doesn’t go after Leo.
“Is that what happened?” I ask my father. “Leo was supposed to give Emma up? When you told me that Gabriel had offered Matteo to Leo, I didn’t know Leo and Emma were already married.”
“Which is why Gabriel couldn’t make Leo give Emma to Matteo. But I still think it should have happened. If then, you would be safe now.”
“But then Emma would be the sacrifice.” I shake my head. “None of this is fair. Women shouldn’t be used this way.”
“I agree. But my hands are tied, Luciana. I can’t stop this from happening. You will be married to Matteo tomorrow. I’ll have to lose you.” His voice gets caught in his throat and he turns away from me, covering his mouth. I can tell this pains my father to have to give me up.
It pains me too.
“I will not break, Daddy. I will not crack. That I’ll promise to you.”
Matteo comes over to us, looking between me and my father. “Am I interrupting anything?”
“Yes,” my father snaps.
“No,” I reply on instinct. Never let anyone know you’re bothered by something. It’s the respectable, polite thing to do. “Nothing is happening.”
Matteo holds his hand out to me. “We should take our seats. Dinner is ready.”
I hesitate but finally decide to give Matteo my hand. It’s what’s expected of me. The moment Matteo closes his hand around mine, I feel goosebumps break out on my skin. My body tingles in a way it never has before. I gasp and try to pull my hand free but Matteo holds on.
He leads me to the dining table and pulls out my chair. At least he’s a gentlemen… in public. But in private, he could be anything.
Everyone takes their seats and the dinner begins. I eat in silence, not wanting to speak and regret something I might say.
In fact, most people are not talking. It’s a tense affair. Everyone knows it.
Near the end of dinner, Matteo stands up and lifts his champagne glass. “A toast. To my soon-to-be wife. May we spend the rest of our lives together.” Instead of sounding happy and inspiring, it just sounds like a threat. Like I’m not going anywhere after I’m bound to Matteo.
After Matteo sits, Gabriel stands, holding his champagne glass as well. “To peace. This marriage – this union – will bring that for all of us. Let us never forget that.” He makes a pointed look at my father, who nods his head, even though he looks glum. “May you two be happy for your entire marriage. For peace to happen.” That’s pointed at Matteo. Unlike my father, Matteo doesn’t respond. He only calmly gazes back at Gabriel like he doesn’t have any worries.
My fiancé is a bold man, I realize. To stand in the home of the mafia man he tried to wrong. He’s not scared of anything, is he?
Which means I should be scared of him. If he’s willing to do anything then what will happen to me?
That thought makes my stomach wrench and the urge to vomit hits me.
“Excuse me,” I mutter, getting to my feet and practically running out of the room. I make to the bathroom and throw up in the sink. It’s not a lot and it doesn’t help my upset stomach.
