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And there it was, the crux of the reason behind the extensive charade. “Yes, I believe I do.”
“Then you should realize that if you accept, you will become Maria Rossi, not Margot Rollins.”
Maybe that was the moment I truly began to understand what she was asking of me. Yes, it was the acting role of a lifetime and if I pulled it off, I’d consider it an Academy Award-winning production.
But if I failed, I had a feeling I wouldn’t live to see my twenty-fifth birthday.
Now I was shaking in my tennis shoes.
CHAPTER 7
“God invented whiskey to keep the Irish from ruling the world.”
—Ed McMahon
Two weeks later
Daniel
Whiskey.
And scotch.
Both could be considered the bane of my existence. On this late afternoon, I’d decided to indulge in whiskey, likely given the meeting that had been set up with the leader of the Irish mob. Liam O’Banyon was a gruff older man with a bad attitude. He’d arrived in the country only five years before with his family, quickly becoming a powerful leader inside various clans within New York. Now they were stretching their wings.
Why they had their sights set on Kansas City was beyond me, but I was sitting in one of my favorite bars in the city with several of my men waiting for his arrival. We’d agreed upon a public place on a busy street to hopefully avoid any consideration of violence. This wasn’t about drawing the line on a battleground, more of a friendly reminder that our family owned the city.
And after this, I was off to another location where I’d meet my future wife for the first time. I still found it difficult to believe I’d agreed to the arranged marriage, but after spending time going over the contract and the paperwork as well as Giovanni’s financials and business holdings, and seeing photographs and movies taken of their estate and grounds in Italy, it was apparent the reason Constantine had made the suggestion.
Still, I was uneasy about the concept of taking over as the Don of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, the area far more dangerous than being in Kansas City. However, the thought of possessing so much power did have its benefits.
Plus, the girl was stunning. I’d spent time researching Maria as well in my endeavor to determine what I was getting myself in the middle of. She was spoiled. There was no doubt about that. However, I had no issue taming and training her, including the use of discipline if necessary.
One thing I’d adhered to from my father’s teachings was that women thrived on standing beside a dominating man. In my mind, they also found some sense of relief when treated with a firm hand. Okay, so maybe some of my thinking was a bit Neanderthal, but I’d seen it in action, a woman thriving after her behavior had changed.
I took a pull on the glass of whiskey, still thinking about the quote my father used to spout off. He’d had dealings with the Irish while still in Italy, something that had tarnished his view of them until the end of time.
There was no trusting them, the meeting more of a formality than anything. If Liam adhered to the rules, he was welcome to partake in whatever legitimate businesses his heart desired. However, if he had plans on going through with the resorts, then he would quickly learn a hard lesson.
“He and his men are on their way,” Kane told me as he approached. He was my most trusted man, our friendship going back years. A fellow ranch and horse owner, his military training and sharpshooter skills had come in handy over time and during what few skirmishes we’d worked together. Even though we’d been in a time of peace for a few years.
“Good. I need to get this over with.” I took another sip, glancing around the crowded bar. I’d sequestered an area in the back where my meeting wouldn’t be disturbed but even on a Wednesday night, the place was full of people enjoying the late spring afternoon, including the perfectly clear skies and warm temperatures.
“So you’re really getting married,” he teased, both his grin and the glint in his eye mischievous.
“It would appear that way.”
“At least she’s a looker.”
“I guess we’ll see in person. You know pictures can be and are doctored more often than not.”
“You are so cynical. You need to believe in love.”
I almost choked on my drink. “Are you kidding me? This coming from the man who hasn’t had a relationship in five years.”
“Three years, my friend. And you know why.”
Yep. His girlfriend had dumped him on Christmas Eve.
