"I hope so."
"Remember your plan?"
"Of course. Phase One. Be perfect. Let him think he's won." I watch the cars get closer. "Then starting tomorrow, show him what a nightmare I can be."
She smiles and touches my arm. "You've got this."
The doors open, and the Marcello family enters. I recognize Vincent Marcello first. He's a powerful Don, probablyin his sixties now, with silver hair and the bearing of someone who's commanded respect his entire life. His wife is beside him, elegant and reserved.
And then I see him.
Santino Marcello.
Damn.He's gorgeous. Tall, easily over six feet, with dark hair and eyes. He's wearing a dark suit, and he moves with the confidence of a man who's never been turned down in his life.
I bet he’s arrogant.
I can see it in the set of his shoulders, the way his eyes sweep the room like he's already planning how to reorganize it. He has no idea what’s coming for him.
I watch him talk to his father, to his men. There are four of them with him. His crew, probably. One older, maybe in his fifties. Three younger, closer to Santino's age. They're scanning the room, evaluating threats, exits, power dynamics.
Santino says something to them, and one of them laughs. He's comfortable with them. These aren't just employees. They're his people. They like him.
Interesting.
My father moves forward to greet Vincent Marcello. The two Dons shake hands, all formality and tradition. This is as much a business merger as it is a marriage arrangement.
Maybe more so.
With me trapped in the middle.
I stay where I am, waiting. Let them do their masculine posturing. Let them shake hands and make plans. In forty days, none of it will matter.
The families are mingling now. People greeting each other, old alliances being reinforced. The elder, ancient Tony Greco,arrives to officiate. He'll explain the Forty Days Tradition, set the parameters, make it all official.
This is really happening.
I take a breath and smooth down my dress. Check my reflection in a nearby mirror one last time. I look poised. Exactly what they all expect. Gia catches my eye and gives me a small nod.
Someone announces that it's time for the formal introduction. Everyone starts moving toward the main sitting room where the ceremony will take place.
This is it.
The moment where Liana Costa meets her future husband. Except he's not going to be my future husband. He's going to be my greatest failure.
And I'm going to make sure of it.
I reach the top of the stairs leading down to where everyone's gathering. Take one more breath. I start down the stairs, and every eye in the room turns to watch me descend.
Including his.
Santino Marcello is standing at the bottom, waiting. Watching. Those dark eyes tracking my every move.
Let him watch.
Let him think he knows what's coming.
By the time these forty days are over, he's going to wish he'd never heard the name Liana Costa.
