Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 591(@200wpm)___ 473(@250wpm)___ 394(@300wpm)
Antonius motioned for the women to enter. “Girls, come over here and greet our guests.”
Both women moved to stand dutifully near their father.
Antonius placed a hand around Antonia’s waist. “So this one is finally going to make herself useful by doing her duty and marrying.”
I frowned as I focused on his hand. It wasn’t quite at her waist but higher, more like on her ribcage, and close to her breasts. Odd.
The crowd cheered as Antonius motioned for me to come closer. “This is my possible future son-in-law, Matteo Cavalieri. He’s from the mainland, but his money ensures I won’t hold it against him.”
More laughter.
Fuck, this was painful.
My gaze settled on Antonia. Her lip curled slightly as she tilted her chin up and broke my gaze by turning to the other guests. Coldly ignoring me.
Well, what did I expect? The warm and loving embrace of a fiancée?
I raised my glass in a toast. “Thank you, Signore Fichera. I’m honored to become a member of your family.”
Antonius raised his palm as he exchanged an amused look with his men. “Take it easy there, Matteo. No one said you’d be part of the family … yet. We haven’t talked terms. You are, after all, getting the daughter of one of the most powerful capos this side of the island. I’m not just going to give her away.”
Interesting not-so-subtle hint that he would expect a dowery.
I wondered if Dante, their Capo dei Capi and head of the entire syndicate, knew Antonius was referring to himself as such. It appeared we may have cut off the head of one snake, only for another to appear in its place. Perhaps Salvatore wasn’t the only one in the organization with dreams of taking Dante’s shaky throne.
He placed his hand on the back of Antonia’s neck and pulled her in even closer before saying, “And you’re not bringing much in return.”
Just a legendary family legacy dating back to Italy's kingdom era, a billion-dollar fortune, and respectability for his daughter.
Antonia barked a laugh as she placed her hand on her father’s chest. “Maybe you shouldn’t make me marry him then.”
I remembered her laugh being more soft and musical last night. Come to think of it, she'd had a horrible, brash laugh at the dinner with Dante as well. Strange.
I watched as she cast a coy glance across the room. The subject of her attention was a married capodecina in Antonius’s ranks named Alessio Bonucci. This must be one of the men Dante was worried about after Salvatore’s assassination. The reason I was being pressed into service to marry Antonia and get her out of Sicily before she could cause any more trouble.
Either her father was completely unaware of her extracurricular activities, or he was baiting me by having his daughter’s lover at the very dinner at which our engagement was being announced.
Antonius glared at his daughter, showing his mercurial temperament. “You’ll marry who I tell you to marry.”
Antonia’s smile faded as the other guests looked down at their drinks or turned their heads to avoid the awkward encounter. “Of course, Father.”
With his grip on her neck, he gave her a shove forward. “Go and greet my guests like you were taught.”
I slammed my drink down on the nearest surface and stepped forward, fists clenched.
A hand on my shoulder stopped me. I looked over to see Dante at my side.
He gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head. “Not yours yet to protect. This is his house and his daughter. Remember that.”
I clenched my jaw as I inhaled through my nose.
The guests in the room surged forward to greet Dante before I could respond. Everyone but Antonius, who remained by the fireplace mantle.
Dante stretched out his arms. “Antonius, do you not greet your Don?”
The man’s upper lip lifted, baring his canines for just a second before his sneer morphed into a bitter smile. “Of course, Don Agnello. Welcome to my home.”
Unlike with the others who were greeted with warm slaps on the shoulder or embraces, Dante swung his arm forward when Antonius approached. After a moment’s hesitation, Antonius bowed low and kissed his ring.
Nice play.
Surveying the room to garner the reactions of the other guests, I spotted Ella. Partially hidden behind a high-backed upholstered chair, she stood silent and still. As if she hoped we would all forget she was even there. It was easy to see why she was called the shy one.
Antonia’s laughter caught my attention again. This time she had her arms around the neck of another soldati as his hand crept low on her back, practically cupping her ass.
Having had enough, I stormed across the room and grabbed her forearm to dislodge her grasp. Keeping my gaze on the man, I said, “You don’t mind if I chat with my fiancée, do you?”
The shorter man stepped back and bowed his head before hurrying away.