Knowing what I know about her, I could’ve guessed she would react harshly to my proposition, so I’ve given her some space while I regroup and figure out a different approach.
“You know I won’t allow you to take over until you have a wife by your side,” my dad says, sliding a piece of paper over to me. “I think it’s time you looked at the prospects I came up with.There’s the Caiazzo family, who would make a great alliance, extending our influence in Las Vegas.”
Annoyance prickles at my skin. “I’m good. Thanks.” My response is short and curt, but I refuse to take any other woman than the one I’ve had my sights set on all these years.
“Just take a look at the women I have on the list, son. I’m sure one will stand out to you.”
Now that I think about it, my family has never had an issue with the DiMaggios, so the chances of Liana’s name being on this list are high. Entertaining my dad’s list might actually benefit me. Get him to give me a little more time to figure out how to convince Liana to marry me.
Taking the paper, I skim over the names.
“Anyone stand out to you?” he asks.
I narrow my gaze, going over each line one more time. When I get to the end without seeing Liana’s name, I set it down. “I noticed the DiMaggios aren’t on your list.”
“Isabella DiMaggio is already married to Niccolò Silvestri.”
“She’s not the only woman that carries the DiMaggio name,” I say, not wanting him to know quite yet that Liana’s the one I’m after.
My dad sits there, pondering my words. “Liana DiMaggio? The fashion designer?”
I nod.
He sits back in his seat and crosses his arms over his chest. “I was only thinking of immediate family members of dons. Besides, I didn’t think you’d be interested in a woman whose life has become so separate from our typical norm. From what I’ve seen, she’s excelling in the fashion industry. I’m not sure she’d make the best wife for you.”
I give my dad another small nod. “I’ll consider the prospects on your list.” I’m hoping if he thinks I’m open to one of these women, he’ll give me some extra time.
He narrows his gaze on me and clenches his teeth. If he had something to say, he chooses not to. “Good. You have until the end of the month. If you don’t have a woman picked out and a wedding date set, thenIwill choose a name off my list and set the date for you. Understood?”
I grind my teeth but say, “Yes, sir,” knowing my dad has given me more leniency than anyone would expect in my situation.
He unfolds his arms and lets out a sigh as he leans forward onto his desk. “I want you to have the best partner in life. I was fortunate to have your mom by my side, so I just want you to find someone of equal stature so you can take over for me. You understand that, right? I’m looking out for your best interests.”
“I know, Dad. I understand. I’ll have a bride and date by the end of the month.”
The pressure of getting Liana to marry me has finally hit its point. Clearly, winning her over is going to be a lot more difficult than I anticipated. There’s no way I’ll be able towooher by the end of the month with how resistant she is to me.
That leaves me with only one option.
Excusing myself, I exit my dad’s office and head for my car. Starting it up, I wait for my phone to connect to Bluetooth, then make a call.
“Massimo, how are you today?”
“Tomasso, I need you to do something for me.”
“Of course.”
“Colton Taylor… He has the Combine in a couple weeks, right?
“That’s correct.”
“Tell him to throw it.”
He clears his throat. “Excuse me? You want him to performpoorlyin the Combine?”
“That’s what I said.”
“But this will affect his draft stock.”
