I pursed my lips in silent acknowledgement. Bianca’s father, Dominic Santoro, controlled the Port Authority contracts and import businesses along the East Coast. Conversely, Victor Rossi dominated arms trafficking and shipping routes. The marriage would merge their operations and create a near-monopoly on both smuggling and legal front businesses. Unfortunately, several recent drug imports into Victor’s ports had resulted in police stings—and millions of dollars of losses. Combining theirforces would allow them to appear stronger and weed out the rats.
And that was where my family came in. The Carusos had built their legacy on offering security and protection for the families. My father was known as the “muscle”—the man who could be trusted to protect shipments and cargo. As he’d aged, other security options had emerged, but with much less stellar results.
I felt a certain responsibility for this. At my mother’s direction, I’d attended college in Pennsylvania before spending two years in Italy with my grandmother and the rest of my family there. Now, at twenty-four, I’d faced a choice: take over my father’s business or leave the mafia behind and become the doctor or attorney my mother wanted me to be.
After much consideration, I’d chosen to take on the mantle of my father’s responsibilities. I felt an intense connection with my roots—perhaps due to my years in Italy—but I knew in my bones that my destiny was to take over for my father when he passed, which sadly, would be sooner rather than later.
Carusos were fiercely loyal, and I felt compelled to support everyone who’d worked for my father over the years and carry on his traditions. Moreover, I was becoming increasingly disenchanted with the way Victor Rossi was running his business. Drug trafficking was one thing, but there had been an increase in human trafficking—mostly teenage girls—and I wanted no part of that. If I assumed my father’s mantle, I could set clear guidelines: if Victor wanted my protection and security, he’d have to followmyrules. Perhaps a bit cocky for a twenty-four-year-old taking over a dwindling empire, but I’d never lacked in confidence...or arrogance. It was something I could admit. If arrogance was my worst flaw, I’d take that over someone who had no moral compass any day.
“I’ll take your silence as affirmation,” Bianca said, her tone terse as she pulled me back into the conversation.
“Yes,” I said softly, genuinely sad at her predicament. “Your father would most likely kill you for dissenting. I’m sorry, mia. Truly, I am.”
Her nostrils flared as she stared over the dark water. “So am I. I had so many dreams. I wanted to go to college...”
“You can still go to college if you marry Victor—”
She echoed a harsh laugh. “I’m meant to bear him a son who can take over the business one day. That’s my sole purpose now.”
My lips turned down at the thought of Victor Rosssi touching this gorgeous creature anywhere on her silken skin. Anger burned deep in my gut at the unfairness of the situation.
“What if I could help you?”
Her head jerked toward me and her eyes grew wide. “How?”
I rubbed the back of my neck, wondering where the words had come from. Hell, I honestly had no idea. I just felt an intense need to protect this woman who had no other option than to marry a decrepit man thirty years her senior.
“My grandmother lives in a remote village in Italy,” I said, my eyes narrowing as I contemplated. “Perhaps she could hide you—”
“It won’t work. My father will find me.Victorwill find me. He’s a proud man and our engagement is public. If I disappear, he won’t stop searching until he sees my dead body.”
Our gazes fell, both knowing she spoke the truth.
“What ifImarried you?”
Her eyebrows lifted as she gaped at me. “What?”
“Michael Caruso,” I said, extending my hand to her as the corner of my lips curved. “Excuse my ineptitude at proposing. This is the first time I’ve ever done it.”
Her eyes darted between my hand and my face. “You can’t be serious.”
My smile deepened as the idea took root. In fact, I’d never been more serious in my life, which was strange considering I’d met this woman five minutes ago.
“I assure you, stella, I’m deadly serious. When is the ceremony with Victor? I can arrange for you to meet me at a secret location and have a priest there. If you marry me, you can’t marry Victor. I’m no lawyer, but I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.”
Sputtering, she shook her head quickly, as if she was clearing her brain of cobwebs. “It will never work. The Carusos have no power anymore. Victor would kill us both.”
“Ouch,” I said, covering my heart. “My father has done his best as his health declined, but we’re...rebuilding. I’m taking over his business. In a few years, I’ll build it back stronger than it’s ever been.”
A grimace crossed her features. “Your arrogance and ambition are as off-putting as Victor’s. Are there any men left who just want to have a family and a house and a dog?”
“Is that whatyouwant?”
Releasing a breath, her lips fluttered. “I just want to live in a world where I don’t have to worry about murder and drugs and business marriage arrangements. I want to benormal.”
Sliding my hand over her wrist, I tenderly squeezed. “Mia, the only child of Dominic Santoro will never be normal. I’m sorry. It’s the way of our world.”
Lifting her chin, she stared at the water, a stern expression on her face. “I’m supposed to marry Victor on Saturday. Even if you wanted to save me, there’s not enough time.”
