“Fine, but there are rules,” she conceded.
I stood up and crossed my arms across my chest in a relaxed, bored stance even though I was anything but bored. “Name your terms.” I kept my face neutral as if she had a choice in what was about to happen. We were about to be connected for the rest of our lives. Once I had her, there was no way in hell I’d ever let her go.
“We get a divorce as soon as we’re in the clear.”
“Already the plan.” I shrugged, falsely agreeing with her.
“No sex and minimal kissing.”
“Figured that as well.” By the time I was done with her, she’d be begging for my cock and mouth.
“We have to keep it hidden as long as possible to keep us safe from my father and Antonio Arias.”
“Of course. We will marry the day after next in Atlantic City.”
She cocked her head and gave a small pout. “That’s Valentine’s Day.”
“And?”
“From now on, I’ll see Valentine’s Day as the day I was forced to marry you to protect myself from my father.”
I smirked, the irony not lost on me, but it was seriously just another day. “It gives us a chance to apply for the license and get things in place for the ceremony. You will also need an excuse to not go home for a bit.”
“It’s not like I have a lot of places to disappear to. Outside of dance, I don’t have a social life.” As far as I knew, she didn’t have anyone aside from her siblings. I looked at Romeo becausewe would need a way to sell this. Not just her disappearance, but also me going with her without raising any red flags.
“We could say you’re going to an audition in Jersey,” Romeo volunteered. “You’ll stay the night, so Lorenzo is going as your guard.”
“We’d have no reason to remain in Jersey,” I pointed out. “I’d just bring her home afterward. Plus, your dad won’t let her audition since she’s supposed to be getting married. That story would fall apart.”
“Fuck.” Romeo started pacing. “You girls never got to have much of a social life, and it’s biting us in the ass right now.”
Bianca moved to stand in her brother’s path and laid a hand on his chest. “That’s partly my fault, Romeo. I could have tried harder to make friends, but I was afraid because of the life we lead. I didn’t want anyone else getting caught up in this world.”
“Bea,” he whispered and pulled her into an embrace, making me jealous that he could comfort her and receive comfort back. “It didn’t have to touch them.”
“You couldn’t guarantee that, and besides, I couldn’t be certain they were genuine about wanting to be friends or simply trying to get access to you. I don’t know if you know this, but girls can be vicious.”
Romeo laughed and released her.
“Is anyone in your dance class getting married?” I asked, trying to shift my mind off my jealousy.
“A few of the girls are in long-term relationships. I think one even got engaged recently. Why?”
“You’re going to a three-day bachelorette party in Atlantic City, and I’ll watch over you.”
“A bachelorette party on Valentine’s Day weekend?” Bianca scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Nobody plans that during a holiday meant for couples.”
“What if it’s a his and hers party? I have heard of couples doing that, which leads up to the wedding on Valentine’s Day. That would make it believable and get us out of town for a few days with time to get hitched and theoretically consummate the marriage.”
Bianca swallowed hard at the word consummate, and I almost grinned. She wanted this to stay in name only, but I had every intention of changing her mind. Three days away from her father, and my position in the family was the perfect opportunity. I just had to make sure she went along with the plan. She was right, though. She could be made to marry again if I were dead, and we were taking a risk that Luca valued me enough not to have me murdered.
I hold no emotional worth for the man as he doesn’t possess a sentimental bone in his body. He was a monster with his kids when they were younger, so there was no telling what his reaction would be when he found out the daughter he was selling to the cartel was already married.
“She’s correct about one thing, Rome,” I said, looking from Bianca to Romeo, who was pacing back and forth. “He could easily attempt to use Giana or Nicoletta. I think it’s time, my friend.”
It was something Romeo and I had talked about many times: me killing his father, or him doing the deed himself. This deception could backfire on all of us, and we might have to take that route.
Romeo sighed, “I know, but he still has a lot of loyal men who would not stand by and let me take over. Gino isn’t the only obstacle we’d face.”
