1
AURORA
Running my sweaty palms down the front of the silky dress my father insisted I wear, I take one last look at my reflection. My long blonde hair is neatly combed, a few strands pinned back. I’m not wearing any makeup, mostly because I don’t have any, but the lip balm I smothered on generously is so shiny it looks more like a lip gloss.
The gown is simple, yet a little more revealing than what I usually wear. The black fabric hugs my curves just right, but is a stark contrast to my naturally pale skin tone.
Maybe I would be more tan if I was allowed to go outside more often.
Not that it really matters what I look like. Not to me, at least. Dad told me to dress up tonight and be on my best behavior, which I fully intend to do. However, I chose to obey because if I don’t, I’ll get punished, not because I actually give a damn.
Although I was expecting one of the guards to come and get me, the sudden loud knock startles me, regardless. Spinning around, a little too fast, I almost lose my balance. Lifting my arms to regain steadiness, I curse the high heels I’m wearing under my breath.
When I’m steady on my feet again, I walk toward the door. Apparently not fast enough, because before I can reach for the handle, another—more urgent—knock fills the space.
“Hurry!” one of my father’s goons yells from the hallway.
I rip the door open, feeling just as annoyed as Ralph looks. He is one of my father’s long-time employees, and one of the guys I can somewhat stand. He isn’t friendly per se, but he leaves me alone unless my father orders him to interact with me, and he’s never been cruel to me, unlike some of the others.
Ralph makes a weird grunting sound and motions for me to follow him. Even in the dimly lit hallway, the back of his bald head is shiny, like he oils it or something. I fall into step behind him, going down the stairs and toward the dining room. As we get closer, I hear a few male voices, some familiar while others are new to me.
All the chatter stops when Ralph and I enter.
“There she is,” my father chimes. “Aurora, please meet Gabriel Russo and his brother, Lorenzo.” He waves at the two men sitting at the table with him. “Come and take a seat.” He points to the one next to Gabriel.
I quickly size him up. I’m guessing he is around forty by his face, although he has the body of a much younger man as far as I can tell. Just like the rest of the men in this room, he is wearing an expensive-looking suit, crisp white shirt and a dark expression.
As I make my way to the table, I try to remember where I know the name Russo from. It definitely sounds familiar, but I can’t place it yet.
Gabriel stands up when I approach, pulling the chair out for me. Now that he is standing, I realize how tall he is. I’m guessing at least six-two. I force a friendly smile on my lip, which is met with a curt nod.
I take my seat and let Gabriel push in my chair before he takes his own once more. His brother Lorenzo is sitting across from us now, while my father is sitting to our right.
“I’m so glad you could join us for dinner.” Gabriel says, his tone flat and indifferent.
“Yes,” my father agrees. “Gabriel and his brother are here for a brief visit from Italy.”
Italy. Then it clicks. The Russo mafia—a crime empire overseeing all of Italy.Fuck. Gabriel is the head of that family, if I remember correctly.Double fuck.
I’m not sure why my father wants me here. He rarely lets me come down for meals, especially not when we have visitors. I definitely have a bad feeling about this.
“Have you ever been to Italy?” Gabriel asks me, just as the maids come in with our first course.
“No.” I shake my head. “Hopefully one day. I’m sure it’s nice.” I grab my spoon and start eating the soup that was just placed in front of me.
“Maybe that day is going to come sooner rather than later,” Lorenzo reveals with a grin.
I lower my spoon. “How so?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Well, I was going to wait until after dinner, but Gabriel is here for business, and that business includes you,” my father explains. “We have come to an arrangement that is going to benefit both of our families.”
My stomach drops. “And how exactly am I part of that arrangement?”
My father opens his mouth, but before a word comes out, Gabriel raises his hand to stop him. “Let me explain.” He turns toward me, our eyes lock, and the darkness in his has my heart racing. “My family is very traditional, and we only conductbusiness with individuals who are part of that family… in some ways.”
Holding my breath, I process his words. Of course, I knew this day would come. What else would I be useful for besides being married off to some guy as part of a business deal?
“I see,” I say once I regain my composure. “You want me to marry you?”
