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Mom shoots me a disgusted look before returning her attention to Dad. “Fine, but don’t let her give you any trouble, Gio. I won’t stand for it.”
“Out,” he barks, glaring at her.
My entire family knows better than to cross my dad when he’s in one of these moods. I can only imagine what awaits me if I don’t comply with his wishes. However, the idea of settling down with a thug like him repulses me.
My mom releases a deep sigh, her gaze turning toward the door. She shoots me a stern glance as she leaves.
Dad returns to his seat and leans back into his high-backed leather chair, his glasses resting on the bridge of his nose while he peers at me. “Now, where were we?” He runs a hand through his peppered gray hair. “As I was saying, it’s time for you to step up for this family. You must have known this was coming sooner rather than later, Bella.” His voice is firm and unyielding. “You’re twenty-one now. It’s the perfect time for you to marry into a family that can bring us stability.”
“You mean another Italian crime family that can bring you wealth.” I ball my hands into fists. “Don’t you already have enough?”
He tilts his head to the side. “I never mentioned an Italian family. There are plenty of eligible bachelors from the British and Irish families.”
I grit my teeth, as if that makes it any better. “Oh great, so you want me to jump into bed with our enemies?”
He growls. “The men I’ve selected are not enemies, they’re neutral parties. Many of them don’t even live on this continent, but a transatlantic partnership could bring us everything we need.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t want to marry anyone.”
My dad’s hand comes down in a firm slam against the table, making me jump. “You’ll do what is right for our family, Isabella.”
He rarely calls me Isabella, except for when he’s very angry with me. “When exactly am I meeting these so-called bachelors?”
His eyes narrow. “I’m hosting a party tomorrow evening and anyone I want you to consider will be there.”
I grind my teeth together, knowing that I have no choice but to go along with it, even if I have no intention of getting married. “Do I get to choose who I marry?”
He steeples his fingers on the desk. “Within reason. There are families within my selection we’d prefer an alliance with.”
I roll my eyes. “You mean richer families, no doubt.”
He stands up and looms over the desk, glaring at me. “I didn’t teach you to be a smartass, did I?”
I swallow hard. “No.”
“Then why are you talking back and making smart remarks?”
It’s impressive how easily my dad can intimidate. All it takes is for him to stand up and assert his dominance, and I know I’ve got no chance of getting out of this without doing what he says. “Sorry,” I mutter.
“You will make your selection wisely, listening to our recommendations concerning whoever is interested. Do you understand?”
I shake my head. “I don’t really understand why you asked me in here to discuss it. It appears it’s already decided, so what was the point?”
“You’re impossible, Bella,” he says, sounding exasperated. “I don’t want any hard feelings over this. All I want is for you to understand your role as part of this family and what it entails.”
“My role?” I laugh, as it’s amusing that he believes what he’s describing is a role. “You mean to be sold off to the highest bidder, like cattle to the slaughter?” I shake my head. “Is that really a role? And is this really a family?”
I know I’ve pushed too hard when his dark brown eyes flash with untamable rage, but he knows I’m not a push over. “Leave now.” His voice is lethally calm, and that’s always a warning. And then he stands, fists clenched as his rage builds.
I’m not stupid enough to linger any longer as I jump to my feet and walk hastily out of the room, shutting the door and resting my back against it. I draw in a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves and my racing pulse.
And once I feel like myself again, I walk down the corridor and back into the sitting room where my four siblings congregate.
Nina takes one look at my expression and stands. “I’m going to bed.” She nods toward the door before any of my other siblings notice me, and I rush through. Thankful that she provided a distraction, as I don’t want to deal with them right now.
Luciana glances at her watch. “It’s nine o’clock.” She laughs. “You really are pathetic, Nina.”
She glares at her. “Shut up, Luciana.” And then she walks out of the room to join me in the corridor. “Are you okay?” she asks the moment we’re out of earshot of our siblings. “I heard Mom screeching like a banshee, and that’s never a good sign.”
