“There’s not been any women since the Seconda. Fuck, I doubt I could even get hard with anyone else at this point. There will never be another woman again, Francesca. Only you.”
“Like I’m ever going to believe anything you say. You and your father want to kill my brother.”
“One thing has nothing to do with the other.”
“Yes, it damn well does.”
He shakes his head. “It will take me time to convince you, but I will. Here, I have something for you.” He pulls my phone out of his pocket.
“How did you get this? Alessio had Armando take mine and Cat’s earlier.”
“And I asked to return yours to you.”
“To track down my brother through it?”
“If your brother is stupid enough to use a trackable phone when he contacts you, he should’ve been caught long ago. I don’t know your passcode, and I haven’t unlocked it by other means. But I can see there are missed calls from your mother. I'm not sure she knows what happened today, but you could tell her how your audition went.”
My eyes blur with tears. “She made calls and begged her brothers to make that happen for me. I threw it away for Sofia’s chance,” I admit, hanging my head. “Thinking Ronan died nearly destroyed her and now I've put myself in jeopardy. How could I do that?”
“You're a woman who'll make sacrifices for those you love, even when it's fool hearty. That's just who you are. Shush now and don’t cry,” Carlo whispers in my ear. “Call your mother back and tell her how beautifully you sang today. Tell her your audience was held spellbound. Give her that joy. She deserves some, doesn’t she?”
She does, but it’s not my mother I’m thinking of when I allow him closeness as my tears dry up. As if by design, we turn into each other. It would be so simple to rise to my tiptoes and brush his lips with mine. I’m ashamed that I want to, so I shove him instead. “You’re going to ruin both of our lives if you marry me, Carlo. Don’t do that for a woman who doesn’t want you.”
He grasps my hands in his larger ones, holding them against his broad chest so I can’t keep pushing. Heat pools in my belly the instant he leans in. My eyes flutter closed, my lips already puckering in anticipation for the kiss I secretly crave.
Yet, it doesn’t come.
When I open my eyes again, confused, his amused grin taunts me. “Are you sure you don’t want me?”
Stung at being called out, I stammer, “I d-don’t.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“You arrogant fucking-”
He tuts, pressing his finger to my lips. “Save the pillow talk for our wedding night. We’ll get to the fucking soon enough,mia moglie.”
My entire face catches fire. “Don’t call me that! I’m not your wife! I will never-”
“Please say never again. It’s fun to prove you wrong.”
“Gah!”I shriek in frustration before slamming the bedroom door in his face.
***
Carlo doesn’t attempt to be alone with me again after our conversation that night, but I can’t deny he protects me while I’m in New York. Even when his own father loses patience as more time passes without Sofia being found, Carlo won’t allow them to question me again. I’m thankful for that. It doesn’t change the fact I don’t wish to marry him.
Marrying a Made Man is everything I never wanted. It flies in the face of my dreams even if those are in tatters now.
Marrying a Capo would be even worse.
New York is very traditional. They expect a certain caliber of woman to stand beside their Don. Someone fashionable, polished and poised. Someone who can command respect through soft power, smooth ruffled feathers with a smile and always be the perfect hostess. Sofia was ideal for that role. Me? Even if anyone could forget for one second who my father was, which they won’t, that’s simply not me. I never know when to shut my big mouth.
Carlo may claim he’s bewitched, but he’ll regret his desire to have me in the end. Regret will turn to resentment, and then he’ll cheat while I’ll be stuck forever in this world I meant to escape.
***
After a couple of days, I’m sent to Las Vegas while Sofia is being chased and the potential marriage pact is discussed. When I see Rocco is here, I know it's a bad sign, but Armando, who traveled with me, is under orders to keep me safe.
