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But Benny doesn’t bat an eye at my selection. He only hands Luigi our unopened menus and says, “I’ll have the same.”
Neither of us adds an alcoholic drink—like we both want to remain sober for whatever will happen today … whatever thisbusinessis.
Luigi tells us he’ll return with our drinks before scurrying out of the room, shutting the door behind him. Benny checks his phone, and I realize I didn’t grab mine on my dash out the door. Which means I have no money or phone.
Great. Stuck with him with no possible escape plan if needed.
I unravel the white cloth napkin and drape it over my lap. “What is this business we need to speak of?”
Benny sets down his phone. “The business that is our impending marriage.”
“I don’t think I have much say in the business of our marriage.” I wince at the reality of my words.
“It seems you keep forgetting the contract wasn’t my idea.” Benny rubs at his dark brow. “You’re acting likeI’mforcing your hand here.”
Our conversation is interrupted by Luigi returning with our waters.
“You could stop the marriage,” I say when Luigi leaves the room again.
“I have as much power to stop it as you do.” Benny shakes his head. “Regarding contracts and alliances, my father, like yours, does what’s necessary to protect his family. He makes all final decisions.”
He tugs at the collar of his shirt.
Benny is second-in-command.
The prince of the most powerful Mafia family.
All that prestige and superiority and he still can’t decide the fate of his life.
I gulp and go quiet for a moment before asking, “Do you think our parents are holding us back from finding true love?”
“Finding true love?” He sayslovewith such distaste that you’d think he’d drunk it once and discovered it rancid. “Love runs in the opposite direction of me, Neomi. It’d be a waste of my valuable time to even look for it.”
“Gee”—I play with the straw in my water—“that sure makes me eager to marry you.”
He shrugs before taking a sip of his water. “I’d like to think we can make this work without being in love. As long as we’re honest with each other.” He leans back in his chair to make himself comfortable. “Tell me something about Neomi Cavallaro no one knows.”
This is supposed to be business only.
That’s a personal question, and there will not be any getting personal with Benny Marchetti.
“I’m not really in the mood for aget to know yousession,” I reply. “Follow me on Instagram or Twitter. I post what’s on my mind there.”
“You postBuffy the VampireSlayermemes and puppy videos. None of which tells me who you are. All I have is what you’ve shown me—you’re reckless, you have a smart mouth, and you enjoy pushing my buttons. Now, there must be more to you. So, spill.”
“Stalk me much?”
“You wish I thought you were worth the time to stalk.” He scoffs. “I simply want to ensure you’re behaving.”
I level my elbow on the table and rest my chin in my palm. “And if I wasn’t?”
“It could give me an out with our marriage contract.”
I thrum my fingers along my cheek. “Butyouobviously haven’t been on your best behavior, Mr. I Like Blow Jobs at Public Parties.”
“Neomi, I want to make one thing clear.” His tone turns all business, and frustration stretches along his face. “I have an empire to help my father run. I will give you an easy life. You’ll want for nothing. But I need you to stop being such a pain in my ass.”
I smirk. “But what would be the fun in that?”
