AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No. You asked me once if Uncle Paul was in the Chicago mafia. I lied and told you no. The truth is that he has been Capo of the Chicago outfit for decades. When he retired, his son, Bobby became capo and is now running the Outfit.”
The Chicago Mafia? Paul Vincenzio and Bobby Vincenzio are mobsters? What?
“I owe Uncle Paul everything. I would do anything for him. I love him like a brother.”
My father hesitates. He has tears in his eyes.What is going on?
“Darling, because Paul has done so much for me, I owe him. I knew this day would come but I did not think it would be so soon. I thought we had a few more years. I was hoping you would be older. On your eighteenth birthday, Paul contacted me. He wants you to marry his youngest son, Bobby.”
“What?”
He looks down and sighs, “you will marry Bobby Vincenzio, in one month.”
Marry Bobby Vincenzio?I am speechless. Trying to think. How long has my father been planning this?
When I got my first period - my father told me that because I was now a woman, I had to keep myself pure. I did not understand.
As a pre-teen, my father had never allowed me around boys. Not allowed to go to parties. Not allowed to go to sleepovers. No social life. I was lonely. I studied all of the time.
Finally, sex and virginity were explained in health class at St. Marten’s College Prep Academy for girls. I finally understood what “pure” meant.
Girls at St. Marten’s have boyfriends. They have sex. I asked my father about boyfriends. He answered, “Teenage boys only wanted one thing from teenage girls, sex. Pre-marital sex is not allowed. You need to save yourself for your husband.” End of discussion.
The girls that attend St. Martens are wealthy society girls. They cannot wait to lose their virginity. They want to have fun. Party. Experiment with drugs. Enjoy sex. St. Marten girls already know who they will marry. Arranged marriages are common in wealthy families. Business mergers. After they marry into the “right” family they become just like their mothers -– wealthy society women in loveless, sexless, boring marriages.
At 15-years-old, I asked my father who I would marry, he told me I would marry into the “right” family someday. He never told me the name of the “right” family. Obviously that family was the Vincenzio family. He was planning to marry me off to one of Paul’s sons. I have never met any of Paul’s sons, though I have seen news stories and photos. Paul Vincenzio’s three sons are all handsome. Tall. Dangerous looking. Wealthy. Successful. Bad boys.
Paul Jr. and Vinnie are already married. Paul Jr. recently married an Italian girl from a prominent New York family. Vinnie is married to an Italian girl from a prominent Chicago family. Bobby is still single. 28-years-old, movie star handsome – the tallest and best looking Vincenzio son. He always makes Chicago’s most eligible bachelors’ list. A committed bachelor. Bad reputation – player, womanizer.Why would he want to marry me?
“Bobby has been building his own real estate empire, of course, not as large as ours. He is a very powerful and successful young man. Harvard graduate. He is a good match for you. I know he will make you happy. You are perfect for each other.”
I frown.
“But..he is always dating movie stars and models.”
“None of that matters. I have agreed that you will marry Bobby. Once you are married, his name will be added to all our real estate holdings. When I retire, he will run Fielding Enterprises. When Bobby marries you, he will be the most powerful man in Chicago and own the majority of real estate in downtown Chicago. He is a great businessman - he has expanded the Chicago Outfit into many legitimate businesses.” My father rubs his face. “Gwen. I am devastated by what happened to you last night. When you marry Bobby, you will be protected by the Outfit.”
“Dad, this is crazy.”
“There is no better match for you. Gwen you are very naïve, immature, and inexperienced. The world is a cruel place. After what just happened to you, you need Bobby to protect you. He can protect you better than I can. As Bobby’s wife, you will never want for anything. He will make a good husband. You will have beautiful children together. You will become a powerful woman at his side. He is handsome and charming. He already has women falling at his feet. He could have any woman in the world, but he chose you.”
Really?I do not believe that.
“What about college? I start Chicago University in the Fall.”
“That is something you will have to discuss with Bobby.”
I am going to college no matter what.
“Daddy, why can’t we date for a few years and get to know each other before we get married?”
“No. He needs to marry you now. Your safety is paramount especially after what just happened to you. Darling, I have never asked anything of you until now. I am asking you to do this for me and our futures. I know Bobby will make you happy. Mafia wives and their children are well taken care of.”
Who is Bobby Vincenzio?Mafia. Mob. Criminal. Capo of the Chicago Outfit. Gangster. Dates models and actresses. Stranger. The man who saved my life.
“What about love?”
“Darling, love is a fleeting emotion – it does not last. I can’t risk you falling for some college student who isn’t right for you. You are my daughter, you have responsibilities. You have to marry the right person – Bobby is the right person for you. Will you marry Bobby for me?”
