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“I’m glad to see you haven’t lost your sense of awareness,” Severo grinned. “I noticed it too, but couldn’t make out who’s inside. My best guess is it’s probably one of the local officers trying to find something to feed the Feds to climb the law enforcement ladder a little faster.”

“Motherfuckers have no loyalty.”

“We’re moving into a season of everyone doing what they can to look out for themselves. We just play the hands we’re dealt. But I didn’t ask you here to talk about loyalty, Cassius. I wanted to meet with you to discuss a proposition.”

With a shake of his head, Cassius tore his eyes away from the car. “What type of proposition?”

“One that takes care of uniting mine and your father’s organizations and that will protect my daughter from whoever is targeting her.”

Cassius raised an eyebrow. “And that is?”

“I need you to marry my daughter, Cassius.”

If he had been standing in front of anyone other than Severo Torrisi, Cassius would have laughed.

“I’m sorry, come again?”

“Arranging a marriage between you and Aella transfers the responsibility of both of our organizations to you. Hopefully, that will take the heat off her.”

Arranged marriages weren’t unheard of in their lifestyle. Up until one point, it’d been the norm. But Cassius barely wanted to be in Whiskey Creek as it was. He damn sure didn’t want a wife.

“I feel where you’re coming from, Severo. But at the same time, shit could backfire. A marriage out of the blue could be another red flag for the Feds.”

“Your union would give another layer of protection. Neither of you could testify against each other. Not that you would have anything to testify about.”

“Have you talked to Aella about this?”

“No, but after talking to your father, we agreed to meet later today at the house so I can break the news.”

“I don’t foresee that going well.”

Severo sighed. “Aella won’t be happy about it, but my daughter understands the politics of the situation and the importance of traditions. I fully expect Aella to agree.”

Glancing lazily at her fresh ombré nails, Aella didn’t bother to spare any of the dangerous, high-ranking men in the room as she uttered a very firm, “No.”

To her left, Cassius released a very subtle snort. “I told you.”

Whipping her head in his direction, Aella admired the smooth, raven skin of the striking gentleman seated beside her. He was dressed simply in sweatpants and a t-shirt that clung to his broad chest and thick arms. Tattoos covered both hands and his right arm. His hair was cut neatly, with waves spinning in every direction. And despite his broody demeanor, Cassius possessed hypnotic chocolate eyes you could easily get lost in.

Although their fathers were connected and traveled in the same circles, the two hadn’t crossed paths as adults until now. Aella and Ilaria’s childhood had been full of traveling and boarding schools—anything, she suspected, to keep them out of the crosshairs of their father’s dealings. She’d known that Armond Farina had a son, obviously, but beyond that, Cassius was merely a handsome and alluring stranger. Under different circumstances, she might have been willing to give him the ride of his life.

Aella’s anger, however, staunched her lust.

“Elle,” her father hadn’t raised his voice, but the solemn tone in which he spoke left no room for confusion. Severo Torrisi wanted her attention. And he wanted it immediately.

Reluctantly raising her gaze to meet his, Aella fought the urge to roll her eyes.

“I know the situation isn’t ideal, love,” Severo’s tone softened toward her, “but it is of importance. You and your sister aren’t children anymore. I can’t keep eyes on you everywhere you go. Men are willing to do whatever to get me to bend to their whims. As the oldest, all of this will belong to you when I step down and⁠—”

“Daddy, I didn’t ask for this.”

“You think I did?” Cassius cut in.

“I never said that,” Aella retorted. “But you damn sure don’t seem as resistant to this as I am.”

“Because my son knows the importance of duty and family,” Cassius’ father, Armond, said, having been silent until that moment. As annoyed as she was by his presence, it was to be expected.

She couldn’t contain her scoff as she addressed Armond’s statement. “Right. I’m sure whatever my father has offered in exchange for this has nothing to do with it,” her eyes darted to Eric. “Did you know about this?”