Once we’re all seated out on the veranda at my place, Mom reaches for my arm and gives it a loving pat. She keeps touchingme as if to make sure I’m here after being away from home for three months.
I smile at her before I glance at Dad and my siblings. “I have important news.” When I have everyone’s attention, I say, “I’m getting married on Wednesday.”
“What?” Mom gasps while Sienna and Bianca’s jaws drop open.
Riccardo and Dad’s expressions remain unchanged.
“To bring peace between the Yakuza and us, I’ve agreed to marry Tanaka’s daughter.”
“The one who pretended to be a man?” Mom asks. “I can’t believe she agreed after what she’s been through.”
“She doesn’t have a choice,” I say.
“No, Augusto!” Mom snaps, instantly angry as she climbs to her feet. “You will not force that poor woman to marry you. Over my dead body.”
“Samantha,” Dad says as he gets up as well. “This is Cosa Nostra business.”
“Don’t give me that bullshit.” Mom shoots a glare at Dad before leveling me with a disappointed look that guts me. “No son of mine will force a woman to marry him.”
“Mom. Hear Augusto out.” Riccardo’s tone is soft, and usually he can get her to calm down in seconds, but not tonight.
I’ve already told Riccardo everything, seeing as he’s now my underboss.
Rising to my feet, I place my hand on Mom’s shoulder, and not beating around the bush, I say, “Yuki is living in hell right now. She is constantly abused and humiliated. I have a chance to repent for what I’ve done to her by giving her a life where she’ll be safe and cared for.”
“Rosie told me what happened at the meeting,” Gianna’s soft voice comes from where she’s seated beside Riccardo. “It’shorrible how they degraded her. I think Augusto is doing the right thing.”
“Me too,” Riccardo adds his vote.
“It will bring peace between the Yakuza and Cosa Nostra,” Dad says. “We’ve lost enough men in this war.”
Mom’s chin quivers as she looks at me again. “And what about you and your future? Are you willing to tie yourself to a woman who might never forgive you?”
Since the agreement has been made, I have refused to think about what I’ll do if Yuki never warms up to me.
“I’m willing to take the chance. The truce is important for the five families, and Yuki will be better off with us than the Yakuza.”
“Jesus,” Mom whispers while wiping her palm over her forehead. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
Dad comes to wrap his arm around Mom’s lower back and gives her a pleading look. “It’s for the best, Samantha.”
My sisters are still too dumbstruck to respond, but I’m sure they’ll give me a piece of their mind later.
Mom meets my eyes again. “You’ll treat Yuki with respect. The way I raised you.”
“Of course.”
Mom takes my hand and pulls me back into the house. Once we reach the kitchen and it’s just the two of us, she says, “You will not consummate the marriage until Yuki is ready. Promise me, Augusto.”
My head snaps back as if she’s slapped me. “Seriously? You really felt the need to tell me that?” I take a step backward as pain blossoms in my chest.
Mom darts forward, closing the distance between us to throw her arms around my neck. I’m hauled into a tight embrace as she lets out a sob. “I’m so sorry, baby. I didn’t mean it that way. I know you won’t force yourself on Yuki, but she might try to initiate sex even though it’s something she doesn’t want.”Mom pulls back to frame my jaw with her cool palms. “God, this is insane. I wanted so much more for you than an arranged marriage.”
I place my hand on the back of her head and draw her against my chest. Letting out a sigh, I say, “I promise I will do what’s best for Yuki.”
“And for you.” Mom begins to cry harder, and it breaks my heart. “I wanted a happy life for you.”
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I brush my hand over the length of her back in an attempt to comfort her. “I’ll always be happy as long as I have my family.”
