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“In our world it’s difficult to find that.”
“Because you aren’t looking. Fabiano found Leona.”
“He did, but he went through a lot of women before that.”
Adamo shrugged. “I don’t want to be forced to sleep with a hooker.”
“Remo won’t force you nor will I.”
“Really?”
“Really.” I couldn’t understand Adamo’s reasoning. He was a teenage boy. At some point his sexual drive would be too strong to wait for someone he cared about, even more someone who cared for him. “But, Adamo, we are Falcones. People always act differently around us. Finding someone to trust is difficult.”
“Don’t you want your future wife to like you?”
“Affection isn’t necessary for a marriage. I have no expectations like that.”
“But what if she wants affection?” His mouth twisted at the word, and he winced again.
I gave him a look and stood. “You know me.”
Adamo shrugged. “I kind of feel sorry for her.”
“Come on. Let me stitch up your lip now.” Maybe I would have felt sorry for Kiara Vitiello as well if I were capable of it.
CHAPTER 4
KIARA
Aunt Egidia looked incredibly pleased as she entered the library where I had been hiding all day from her and my uncle. “Luca had a meeting with Nino Falcone today.”
I put down the book I was reading, trying to keep my face emotionless. “And?”
“Luca showed Nino a photo of you, and he agreed to marry you.”
She watched me expectantly as if she thought I’d do a happy dance because Nino had approved of my looks. I swallowed hard. “That’s good news.” It was all I could manage, and it lacked enthusiasm.
My aunt pursed her lips. “Kiara, really, I don’t think you grasp what this means.”
Oh, I knew exactly what it meant, and that was the problem. “It takes some getting used to, the idea of marrying him, Aunt Egidia. Don’t worry, by the time I’ll have to marry him, I’ll be able to convey my excitement properly.”
It was a blatant lie. If I managed not to flinch at every touch, that would be a huge success.
“Well, you don’t have much time. Remo Falcone insists things progress quickly. The wedding is set for four weeks from now.”
I dug my fingers into the leather of the armchair, the color draining from my face. “Four weeks? But that’s not enough time to plan everything.”
Definitely not enough time to mentally prepare myself for marrying a Falcone—if I could even prepare for something like that.
“Don’t worry. I already contacted a few bridal shops. Of course some of the most popular dresses are already sold out, but they assured me that they have enough beautiful pieces left.”
“That’s good,” I said in a monotone voice.
Aunt Egidia nodded. “Aria and Giulia will join us. I already talked to both of them, and they are excited. Aria was so nice to make an appointment with the best bridal store in New York. New York seems the most sensible choice, given that we can’t expect the wife of the Capo to travel all the way to Baltimore. Of course, the store managed to squeeze us in tomorrow. Who could refuse Aria Vitiello?”
“Tomorrow?” I asked horrified.
“Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Wonderful,” I managed to say.
Aunt Egidia frowned again. “Anyway, Felix and Luca are trying to figure out the best place to hold the wedding. It’s not going to be New York. Luca doesn’t want the Falcones in his city.”
Didn’t he? I almost laughed.
“I’m sure there are enough other options,” I said quietly.
“Yes, yes. I’m sure,” Egidia said, smiling. “I should call a few florists and make arrangements with them.”
I didn’t bother pointing out that it wouldn’t make sense until we knew where the celebrations would take place. This was Aunt Egidia’s show, even if I was the main attraction.
When she left, I closed my eyes. Four weeks.
Four weeks until my wedding night.
Four weeks until Nino would want to claim his prize.
Four weeks for me to figure out a way to hide that someone had taken that prize years ago. Sickness washed over me, and I pressed a hand to my stomach.
Ten minutes later, Giulia called. “Did my mother already talk to you?”
“A few minutes ago,” I said.
Giulia sighed. “I don’t like this, Kiara. Four weeks, really? It’s like they can’t throw you at Falcone quickly enough, as if they’re worried they might start feeling guilty if they waited any longer.”
“At least that leaves less time for me to fret.” I’d worry anyway. My nights would be haunted by even worse nightmares than they had been before.
“Even Cassio is wary of the Falcones. He showed me a video of Nino Falcone in the cage. It’s sick.”
“A video?” I echoed. “Where can I watch it?”
There was silence on the other end. “Don’t. Don’t watch it.”
My throat tightened. “Where?”
“It’s a forum in the Darknet that the Camorra uses to show their cage fights and illegal street races.”
“Give me the log in information.”
