Page 232 of Marcello

Jump.

How high, Don Amato?

“Yes, Papa,” I said wearily.

I’d been hearing the same shit for years. I knew better than to fight back.

Papa narrowed his eyes as he glanced around the room. “Were you talking to someone?”

FUCK!

I managed to play it cool – although inwardly, I was praying to the phone, Please don’t ring – PLEASE don’t ring –

I pointed at the TV across from my bed. “I was watching a movie.”

“Ah.” Papa smiled. “Of course. At first, I thought you might be in here with someone – but none of my men are stupid enough to do that.”

Stupid enough to take topless photos of me, yes…

But Eugenio learned his lesson on THAT one.

“And,” Papa added, “you obviously don’t have a phone.”

I wanted to shout, Inconceivable!

But I doubted my father would get the Princess Bride reference.

“Is there something you wanted?” I asked politely.

“As a matter of fact, yes. You’re going to have dinner with a young man next week.”

I froze.

“…I’m what?”

“One of Don Severino’s sons. You’ve heard me talk about Don Severino. His family controls Rome.”

Papa had mentioned Don Severino countless times throughout my life. I felt like I knew him, even though I’d never met the man or anyone else in his family.

Apparently that was about to change.

“And why am I having dinner with one of his sons?”

“Because it’s time you get married.”

I stared at Papa in utter and complete shock.

“Luca Severino is a fine young man,” he said hurriedly, as though he was trying to win me over. “He’s not Don Severino’s oldest son, so he won’t ever be in charge of his father’s empire, but it’s still an excellent match. You’ll never want for anything. Plus, allying ourselves with the Severinos is one of the smartest things we could do.”

“You want me to marry him?” I asked, stunned.

“Well, if the two of you hit it off,” Papa said in a conciliatory voice. “Obviously, I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to.”

Riiiiiiiight.

SURE you don’t.

“But I think you’ll like him. And if it doesn’t work out with Luca, there are plenty of other eligible bachelors.”