AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, clearly, Bianka has to do it,” Nicolo states, his words ringing with finality.
“To hell with that. Why should she have to marry that psychopath’s progeny?” I counter, rising from my seat.
I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth, and my eyes flick to Silvia as I realize that if Bianka doesn’t marry the Matron’s son, then my sister is the only other viable woman under the Matron’s conditions. I love my little sister, and she doesn’t deserve to be sold like chattel. I just couldn’t think past Bianka getting offered up like meat.
But I don’t want either of them to be subjected to that horrible fate. Not that I’ve ever met the guy, but anyone who was raised by the Matron is guaranteed to be a monstrosity.
“Don’t evenlookat Silvia like you think she’s the one to do it,” Nicolo growls. “I refuse to even think about her falling into that woman’s clutches.”
“I won’t be selling Bianka off to my enemies,” Ilya states flatly, his deep voice menacing. “She might end up dead in a ditch based on how brutally they’ve slaughtered my family.”
“It’s your Bratva that got the Marchetti family wrapped up in this mess from the start,” Nicolo points out, his glare suddenly accusing.
“You dragged your family into the whole affair yourself when you threw a hissy fit over them trying to kill me in front of the wrong building,” Ilya snaps.
Nico’s and Ilya’s chairs scrap across the floor noisily as they both rise from the table, their tempers escalating as they glare each other down. The tension between them seems to have returned in full force, all semblance of camaraderie vanishing with their protective stands against selling off their sisters.
I find myself in an agonizing position, realizing that any of the choices presented would be terrible. The thought of Bianka in the hands of the Veles again makes me want to vomit. And Silvia in the same position is no less nauseating.
But if neither of them agrees to marry the Matron’s son, then my brother will be dragged into a war with the woman who has proven cunning, deceptive, highly vindictive, and brutal beyond my worst imagination.
Bianka’s told me what the Matron’s nephews did to Ilya’s men. The Matron seems a far more deadly adversary, even if Nico and Ilya’s combined forces managed to overpower her once, when they had the element of surprise.
“Enough,” my father says calmly, ending the confrontation before it escalates further. “I’ve decided Silvia will marry the Matron’s son. It makes the most sense on multiple fronts. Nicolo, Lucca, and Cassio have established our family bloodlines well. Even if Nicolo and I were to die, one of the twins could take up the family name. Carry on the family business.”
He pauses, letting that sink in, and it looks positively agonizing for Nico to remain quiet. His jaw works furiously as his gaze drops to the table. I know how hard it must be for him to accept Father’s decision. Not when he adores Silvia and has always been the one to protect her.
“If Bianka were to marry the Veles heir,” my father explains, “they could easily try to claim the Shulaya territory when he dies, and I refuse to have that Bratva on my borders.”
That alone is a sound strategic conclusion. Still, I hate myself for having drawn any extra attention to my little sister. Though I’m sure my father would have reached the same decision either way, solely based on the fact that he seems far too happy about an alliance with Ilya, it still kills me to think of shipping Silvia to New York. Alone. In the hands of our enemy.
My sister remains heart-rendingly silent, her eyes downturned in resignation. Poor, sweet, loving Silvia. She’s too kind and gentle to be condemned to such a terrible fate.
36
CASSIO
I drive Bianka back to her place, and as I grip my steering wheel convulsively, we ride in utter silence. I’m filled with deep and ugly guilt overlaid with an overwhelming concern for my little sister. How my father could make his decision so easily is beyond me. And he seemed so at peace with it.
I know that Silvia has never been a significant personality in my father’s life. Since women aren’t welcome in the family business, he’s all but considered her a nonentity. He feeds her, clothes her, and gives her a proper education. But to my father, Silvia’s sole worth comes from her ability to marry someone that would elevate the family in some way.
And as much as I hate to admit it, from Don Lorenzo’s perspective, it would be a major advantage to form an alliance with a powerful New York Bratva–no matter how revolting that Bratva’s ethics might be. Of course, my father has never concerned himself much with those.
“I can’t believe this night came down to Silvia or me being used as pawns. It makes me sick to think Silvia might actually have to marry that monster’s son,” Bianka murmurs tearfully as we reach her apartment, and she locks the door behind me.
“I know,” I agree darkly. Turning to Bianka, I gently squeeze her shoulders and pull her into a hug, trying to give her some small measure of comfort. “We’ll find a way to make things right,” I promise as I guide her down the hallway to her bedroom.
“On the brighter side,” I offer, “my father and the Matron agreed to wait on marriage until after Silvia graduates college since her son is just eighteen, too, so Silvia has three years. Hopefully, in that time, we can come up with something to fix this.”
I don’t tell Bianka that even if Silvia doesn’t end up having to marry this guy, she’s the daughter of a Marchetti. Our father will likely sell her off to some other man to strengthen the family name. That’s just who he is. Our family is more like royalty in that way. I respect Ilya for straying from that more common tradition, even though he is apakhan.
“I still feel bad,” Bianka whispers and starts to cry. “Your poor sister looked so… resigned. Like she’s already given up.”
Easing Bianka onto the edge of the bed, I pull her into my arms, tucking her head under my chin as I hold her close. For a long time, I don’t know what to say. “Sil’s strong. If anyone can survive being my father’s daughter, it’s her. And she’s got me and Luc and Nico on her side. We won’t let anything happen to her.”
I will it to be true. But I can’t stop the niggling guilt that lingers in my belly. “I shouldn’t have run my mouth. I all but threw my sister under the bus,” I confess. “I just couldn’t lose you. God, things were finally going right. We’ll just have to figure out some way to get Silvia out of the betrothal.”
Bianka nods, tears silently streaming down her cheeks, leaving tracks in her perfect performance makeup. It tears at my heart to see her cry. I would give anything to take away her pain. That she cares so deeply about my sister’s fate moves me.
