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Everyone turns to him.
“As you know, I’ve been looking to expand our territory. It’s a great way to show the men I’m a leader. But to do so … I need to make an alliance with a man named Salvatore Fontana.”
Viktor grins. “You’re talking about the money magnet, Salvatore Fontana. I’ve never met the guy, but I know he’s loaded.”
“He is. And he’s willing to help fund us and ensure our influence remains intact. Ensure we remain the most powerful Mafia family in New York.”
After taking a sip of his wine, Marco asks, “What’s in it for him?”
“Right.” Antonio takes in a deep breath. His nerves are obvious, but I’m not sure what has him so worried. “He said he’ll need something in return for giving me the money.”
“And that is …” Giulia asks, waving her hand, silently telling her son to hurry up.
“A marriage alliance,” Antonio says in a firm voice, leaving nothing to the imagination.
The room goes silent. They all know what this means. I never would have in the past, but having spent the past nine years in the employ of a Mafia family, I’ve learned to read the cues. One of them will have to marry Salvatore Fontana.
And there’s only two viable options.
Mia, who’s nineteen.
Or …
Cecilia.
“To who?” Giulia asks.
Antonio answers my worst fear. “Cecilia.” He turns to his sister. “He wants to marry Cecilia.”
Cecilia is as white as a sheet. She’s gripping her wine glass so hard that I’m worried she’ll break it. “Me?”
“It’s time for you to get married. And this will help our entire family. You know it will.” Antonio clears his throat likehe’s unsure of what to say next. “I’ve already arranged a meeting between you and him for later this week. You will go and meet him and be polite. I need this, Cecilia. I need you to marry him.”
She doesn’t say a word as she glares at her brother. I remember watching them as kids, how close they were. Now, there’s a huge divide between them that feels impossible to cross.
Cecilia finally cuts the tension by getting up and leaving the room.
All I can do is watch her go.
CHAPTER 3
Cecilia
There’s only silence as I leave the dining room.
I’m almost halfway up the stairs to my room before I hear footsteps behind me. “Cecilia, wait,” Antonio says.
I keep walking.
He follows me to my bedroom, planting his foot between my door and the frame before I can shut it. “Wait. Let’s talk about this.”
“What is there to talk about?” I ask, trying to shove the door close. Antonio won’t let me. “You’ve already decided my future. You didn’t even ask me about this before you told this … this … ugh! What was his name?”
“Salvatore Fontana.”
“Yes, that. Him. You didn’t even talk to me about this before tellingSalvatore Fontanayou would marry me to him. How is that fair? I haven’t even met him!”
Antonio rips my door open, stepping inside my room. “That’s why I set up a meeting for you to meet to him.”
