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He is severe and gorgeous.
But he isnota Made man.
CHAPTER 2
Eleanna
We’re all frozen for a half-second in the morning sun. There are a dozen men in dark suits before me and around me, in stark contrast to the bright dainty flowers surrounding the veranda. My future husband is taller than both my father and uncle, and the men in his security detail, in navy suits with dark sunglasses and ear pieces—actual visible ear pieces, like the movies!—are larger still. Their size doesn’t really matter, though, next to a group of mafia soldiers. Even my teen brother looks like he could take all the other guards down by himself, without taking off his leather jacket.
Mother bustles past me to help the staff finish pouring drinks on the ornate white outdoor dining table. I manage to keep my mouth from falling open in the shock of all of this. My sister stands at my side, as surprised as I am.
“Eleanna, of course you recognize Mark White,SenatorMark White.” Papá says beside Tío Fausto, his eyes wide for a flash.
“Of course,” I pick up the thread Papá’s weaving immediately. “What an honor,” I say with a practiced, bashful smile as I look into the blue eyes I’m supposed to know already. I notice now the small pin he and his men wear is the Texas flag. I extend my hand as the senator, my future husband, extends his.
“The honor is mine, Miss Delgado.” His voice is deep and smooth. Suave to match the rest of him. Unlike the other men, there’s no scruff, no hint of tattoos, not one hair is out of place, not even a rogue eyebrow. He lifts my hand and bows his head sightly.“Eres aún más adorableen persona que en los rumores.” You are even more lovely in person than in rumors.He says softly beforekissing my knuckles.
I feel a spark of energy where his lips graze my skin, but there’s a flash of disappointment too. Though what he said was kind, his English is perfect and his Spanish is…clunky. Just another stark reminder that this man is not at all what I’ve prepared my whole life for.
I school my features expertly. “You flatter me, Senator.”
“Mark, please,” he says, releasing my hand and shifting his body from in front of me to beside me. He looks back to my uncle as he moves.
“Wonderful. Let’s sit and discuss the specifics, eh?” Tío says. He heads toward the table, and we all wait to follow behind. He sits at the far end with my father at the other head. The senator—Mark—and my brothers move to choose chairs as Mamá, Mia and I stand and wait. Mark hesitates before sitting down, cocking his head as he takes a seat, looking confused.
Of course, he’s confused.
In our world, in a formal setting, women are not always allowed to participate in these kinds of conversations. The men may discuss business we shouldn’t hear or wouldn’t want to hear. Even though this meal is about me and my future, it’s still a business meeting. As such, we wait to be invited to the table by my uncle and told where to sit.
“Ines, come,” Tío says to my mother. “Eleanna, sit by Senator White, of course. Mia, go inside and see about the sandwiches and dessert, yes?”
“Of course, Tío,” she says with a tone too bright and a wide sarcastic smile on her face. While she loathes being dismissed, she also doesn’t want to sit for a formal meal, either. Still, on principle, she has to be rebellious with her exit, so she bows deeply with a flourish before leaving. My brothers stifle a laugh as Mamá apologizes under her breath.
“That girl will be the death of you, Renaldo,” my uncle tells Papá with a laugh, giving us all unspoken permission to relax and let Mia, well, be Mia. Mamá nods to two of her kitchen staff to start serving the food and pouring coffee.
“Síbrother, not like Eleanna here. She will make a wonderful, quiet wife, Senator, I assure you,” Papá says to Mark. My future husband offers a small smile as he leans back so coffee can be poured into his cup. Before he can respond further, my uncle takes charge.
“Yes. She will. Mark, since we’ve agreed on our terms, you all can announce your engagement this week and be married in a month’s time, maybe two if the women need more time for the wedding.”
Mark stiffens beside me and leans forward. “Forgive me, Fausto, but you forget, I’ll need to do things a bit differently. We have the press to think about, the voters. We’ll have to make a show of meeting, dating, an engagement…it cannot appear to the outside world as if I am marrying your niece as part of an under the table deal.” He pauses and the whole table holds its breath, watching Tío’s reaction. No one dictates terms to my uncle. Ever. Mark doesn’t back down or break eye contact, but he does quickly add, “Even if you and I both know I am getting the far better, far more beautiful end of said deal.”
My uncle chuffswith his mouth full of empanada.“Tienesrazón, chico.” You’ve got that right, boy.Mark laughs heartily, and the rest of the table follows. Whoever my future husband is, it’s clear Tío likes and respects him. Not one to let something like this go, however, my uncle raises a hand to quiet us while he swallows. He takes a sip of coffee while we watch him and wait.
“Fine,White.” He says, spitting the name. I keep my eyes from bulging. He may justas well have called a sitting senator of the United Statesgringo.“We’ll stage a first meeting, you’ll take her on a few very public dates, a grand proposalfor your voters,and marry within four months time.”
“Perfect.” Mark ducks his head again.
“All of which will be chaperoned, obviously.” Papá adds.
“Obviously. I am never without security,” Mark says, matter of fact.
“No, one of our men,” Papá says, growing irritated. “Eleanna’s virtue will not be tarnished in any way. She is not some common littleputa.”I almost choke at hearing my father saywhoreat the brunch table. “Not a politician, not a businesswoman. She isnuestra princesa. You will treat her as such.”
My future husband clears his throat before his deep voice agrees, “I will.”
“He will, brother. As he said, this trade is beyond fair.” Tío shuts down the conversation. “Have you any objections to our Eleanna?”
I try, but miserably fail, at calming my emotions to avoid blushing. I’m used to being talked about as if I’m a head of cattle or a stock being traded. This is almost cruel, however, to ask Mark right in front of me. Thank God Mia isn’t out here for this.
