“You should have objected sooner and saved us the embarrassment.”
My sister’s gaze dropped to her plate, her cheeks flushing into a pink that clashed with her light blonde hair. Her emotions were high, so I knew I should step in.
“I don’t feel embarrassed,” I said. “Do you feel embarrassed, Mama?”
“Of course not.” Irina scowled at my father. “It was Lucy’s mother who wanted those properties on the Amalfi Coast as dowry and suggested the union.”
“I was doing my duty as your daughter,” my sister signed, finding her courage. “At least now I know I have a choice.”
“Of course, you always have a choice,” Ivan said in a wounded voice. “I would never force you into a marriage. You are my treasure, Arinka. My only daughter and I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Papa,” Aralina signed and smiled.
I was glad Ivan never said those words to me because I didn’t think I could utter them back without vomiting.
Ivan gave an exaggerated huff, as if the affectionate words from Aralina made his heart balloon with so much emotion he had to make room for more. I was good at this. Interpreted emotion so I could telegraph how to react to it.
“Going back to De Lucci’s sister. If that is to get back at her for the problems she caused us, it’s not worth the wrath from the Italians.”
He meant at least three of the Five Families of New York and Chicago. True. They would be a lot to take on.
“I’m not messing around, Ivan.”
There was something in my tone that made my family freeze. Ivan’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Clear your schedule tomorrow.” It was a Sunday, and typically Ivan didn’t go anywhere anyway except spend it with family. I stood up. “We’re going to pay a visit to Paulo and Carlotta De Lucci.”
I didn’t want to discuss the details of how to approach my future in-laws. I would leave that to my mother and Margo to make the arrangements.
“Oh my God,” Irina whispered. I didn’t like the way her eyes sparkled with happiness. This wasn’t a love match. This was purely business and my planned revenge.
“You’re getting married?” Aralina signed frantically.
“Yes, Arinka,” I said. I glanced at my parents, who appeared to be still in shock.
“The wedding is in a month.” The quicker we signed the marriage contracts, the less time Lucy or her wily relatives would find a way out of it.
I needed a wife.
She was perfect. She had the looks, the brains, the pedigree, but my aversion to her other qualities would make sure I maintained enough distance for myself.
After we said our vows, I would make sure she would really hate me. I would relish my revenge, but she wouldn’t be able to escape.
“That’s too soon! There are reservations to be—” My mother paused as realization hit her. “Margo is handling everything?”
“As we speak. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m needed elsewhere.” The confidence that I had in the situation flagged a bit when I thought about the De Luccis and Morettis conspiring against me. No, I made sure Lucy understood the stakes.
I arrived at her Upper East Side residence before ten that morning. I wondered what the Italians had in store for me. Sato was increasingly getting agitated in our messages. I’d put him in an unfamiliar situation. That was what happened when you muzzled an attack dog. He wasn’t allowed to harm my future in-laws. At least, not yet.
I had other soldiers behind me. Sato was waiting in front of Lucy’s apartment building when I drove up. The relief on his face was palpable. I almost felt sorry for him.
I double-parked in front of another car, got out and signaled and nodded to the soldiers behind me to take care of it.
I rarely hid my expression behind sunglasses. My sister once said that my eyes rarely gave away what I was thinking. The Moscow mob trained me very well when my father exiled me to Russia with the hopes I would live up to his expectations. Be a weapon for the mob. Well, he got more than he bargained for, didn’t he? Besides making sure I grew up to be a hardened man fitting of the bratva, the men who trained me beat empathy and emotion out of me. I had to relearn these things when I returned. Relearn how to act like a human being.
Fuck, I missed Kolya. I missed staring into his soulless eyes that were as blank as mine. He reminded me we were the same. Forged in the iciness and harshness of a Russian training camp.
Sato, meanwhile, showed every emotion except when he was about to kill someone. He was always the person aside from Aralina who was brave enough to remind me to smile. Like right now, I could tell he was about to chasten me before I reached him on the sidewalk.
