“I’m fine. I’ll have more power than you could ever dream of. And when I do, you and Arianna will be safe. We can be brothers again.”
“Were we ever brothers?”
I clench my hands into fists but when Antonio’s eyes flick down to them, I force my hands open. “Who’s fault is that? I wanted to be a brother to you but you always pushed me away.”
“I was ten years older. I had my own life.”
“And it’s never included me. But I want to include you in mine, Antonio. I’ve always wanted that.”
“Not when you’re involved with the mafia. I have to protect my daughter.”
“Dad?” A soft female voice rings out and footsteps sound out behind him. “Who are you talking to?” A young woman appears over Antonio’s shoulder. Brown curly hair that makes her feel younger than she is. She’s tinier than I thought she’d be. My niece, Arianna.
“Uncle Marco?” she asks with a gasp when her eyes fall onto me.
“It’s nice to see you, Arianna.”
She takes a step towards me when her father stops her. “Go back inside,” he warns.
“What? I don’t understand.” She looks between me and Antonio for a long moment. “Dad?”
“Just do as I say.”
She gives me one last lingering look before walking away from me.
“You will not mess up mine or my daughter’s life,” he hisses. “Just leave.” He shuts the door in my face. Shut out once more.
Well, that will all change when I gain power. When I marry Ciara Sullivan and get the Irish behind me and I can finally take Enzo down. And Will for stealing Gianna awayfrom me. I will prove to my brother that I’m worthy of his time. That I will not hurt his daughter.
Now I just have to meet the woman who will become my wife.
Ciara
My father hosts a party to invite my future husband over. I kept protesting it all week but my dad didn’t listen. He says I have to do this. That it’s time and I have to do as he says. But I know Cormac will help me.
I’m just not sure how yet.
The party takes place in the backyard. The sunny day would make me believe everything would go right but I know better. I am to meet the man I am being forced to marry and there’s nothing good about that.
Despite not wanting this, I still put on a cute summer dress. I am going to look my best no matter what.
Cormac approaches me, holding a cup in his hand. A few of my father’s other guests have arrived but the man in question hasn’t yet. Who is Marco Amato? What does he look like? Is he a jerk or a kind man? It doesn’t matter because my brother will make sure I never have to marry him.
He hands me the cup. “It’s just sparkling cider. Dad didn’t want anyone drunk today.”
“Probably for the best. I don’t need you getting shot.” I take a sip of the drink. “It’s not as good as champagne.”
“No it’s not. And I won’t be the one getting shot. I plan on getting rid of Marco the moment he shows up.”
“How?”
He quirks an eyebrow. “I have my ways.”
A sensation crosses my body as if I’m being watched. It makes me look in the direction of the back door and that’s when I see a man watching me. Tall with classic good looks. Dark hair and stubble on his chin. Broad shoulders. He looks like a model for any designer brand.
Who is this man? I’ve never seen him before.
And that’s when it hits me. Is this Marco?
