I drain my glass and set it down with a sharp click. Whatever doubts my children have, whatever misgivings Vittoria harbors, none of it matters. This marriage will happen, and our family will emerge stronger.
It has to.
The morning sun streams through my study windows as I wait for Vittoria to arrive. We're supposed to discuss wedding details today, but I have other intentions. I need to gauge her true nature, to see beyond the carefully constructed mask she wore at dinner.
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts. "Enter," I call out.
Vittoria steps in, posture straight, expression carefully neutral. She's wearing a simple but elegant dark blue dress, her black hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. Even dressed down, her beauty is striking.
Fuck. I'm in trouble.
"Good morning, Mr. Mariano," she says, voice steady.
"Cesare," I correct her. "We're getting married soon. Use my first name."
Unease flickers across her face before she nods. "Of course, Cesare."
I gesture to the chair across from my desk. As she sits, I notice the grace in her movements, the subtle confidence that defies her youth. This girl is definitely more than she appears.
"I trust you slept well?" I ask, more out of habit than genuine concern.
"Yes, thank you," she replies, polite but distant.
I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. "Let's discuss the wedding. I've hired a planner. She'll be here this afternoon to go over details with you."
Vittoria nods, expression unchanged. "That's very kind of you."
"I expect full cooperation," I continue, watching her closely. "This wedding needs to be perfect. It's not just about us; it's about solidifying the alliance between our families."
There—a flash of anger in her eyes. It’s gone as quickly as it appeared, but I caught it.
"Of course," she says smoothly. "I understand the importance of this union."
I lean back, studying her. "Do you? Because I get the feeling there's more going on in that pretty head than you let on."
Vittoria stiffens slightly, her eyes meeting mine with unexpected intensity. "What exactly are you implying, Cesare?"
I smirk, pleased to crack her composure even slightly. "I'm not implying anything, Vittoria. I'm stating a fact. You're intelligent, far more than you pretend. I saw it at dinner, in how you handled my children's provocations."
For a moment, she says nothing, her gaze locked with mine. Then slowly, a small smile curves her lips. Not the demure smile from before, but something sharper. More genuine.
"You're very perceptive," she says, her voice taking on a new edge. "But then again, I suppose you'd have to be, given your position."
I lean forward, intrigued by this shift. "And what, exactly, do you know about my position, Vittoria?"
She tilts her head slightly, never breaking eye contact. "I know enough. The Boston Elite Syndicate, the alliance offamilies, the... unfortunate events of last year. I may be young, Cesare, but I'm not naive."
Her words hang between us, challenge and revelation all at once. I feel a mixture of admiration and wariness. This girl is definitely more than she seems, and that could be dangerous.
"Impressive," I concede. "But knowing about our world and living in it are two very different things. Are you prepared for what this life will demand?"
Vittoria's smile fades, replaced by grim determination. "I've been preparing my entire life, whether I wanted to or not. I know what's expected."
"Do you?" I press, leaning closer. "Because let me make this crystal clear, Vittoria. Once we're married, you're mine. Your life, your body, your future, they all belong to me and this family. There's no going back."
I expect her to flinch, to show fear or hesitation. Instead, she meets my gaze head-on. "I understand perfectly, Cesare. But let me make something clear as well. I may be young, I may be your wife soon, but I'm not a toy to be played with or a pawn to be discarded. I'll fulfill my role, but I expect to be treated with respect."
Her boldness catches me completely off guard. For a moment, I'm torn between anger at her audacity and admiration for her spirit.
