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“It’s true, Poppet. You’ll be marrying Matt instead of Liam. At the end of the day, he’s a better match for you.” Don Amato’s words meant to disarm, but they worked like gasoline on the already raging flames.
“You men are un-fucking-believable.”
“Language, Francesca.”
“No. I will not watch my language or my tone when you are tossing me around as if I’m a damn toy. I am not a thing you can pass around to each other as long as it suits your interests. That’s bullshit.”
Francesca wasn’t only angry, she was hurt. She had every right to be, but it still wouldn’t change a damn thing.
“And you? This is all your fault, isn’t it?” She continued, jamming her finger into Matt’s chest as if it were a weapon, while his only reply was a wicked grin that hid more than he was trying to let on.
“That’s enough!” Don Amato roared, pushing up from his seat. “It’s been decided. The Commission has agreed to this change, and the ceremony will take place as previously scheduled.” He turned her to him and grabbed her shoulders firmly. “You weren’t marrying for love in the first place. You weren’t ever marrying for love. So what difference does it make if it’s Matt instead of Liam? Don’t be rude, Francesca, and just accept the gift. We don’t want to insult the Battaglias.”
Francesca grabbed the box from Matt’s hand and stormed out of the study, my brother following hot on her trail.
I watched them disappear and couldn’t help the amusement growing inside me. My big bad brother was in for the ride of his life, and somehow it seemed like he wanted to be in that carriage, as tempestuous as it might be.
Soon, my thoughts gave way to the feeling that I had a pair of eyes boring into my skull. I turned to see Don Amato staring at me, his eyes dead of any feeling besides disdain.
“Don Amato–” I started, hoping to finally tell him to his face what had happened that night since I had never gotten the chance.
“I know you didn’t kill her.” He cut me off.
“I didn’t. I held her in my arms, I tried to stop the bleeding, but I didn’t stand a chance. I haven’t given you my condolences, and if it comes as any consolation, every single one of those bastards paid with their lives for what they did.”
“I know. You got to them before I did.” I looked at him puzzled. Why was he still pushing this union if he knew we had nothing to do with his daughter’s unfortunate death?
“How do you know?”
“I spoke to the owner’s wife. Poor woman was terrified after she saw you give her husband a shiny new Colombian necktie. Not exactly our signature, is it?”
“He got what he deserved. Might as well pin it on the Cartel.” I coldly replied, remembering how none of it brought me the solace I searched for. I didn’t feel guilty about the fuckers I sent six feet under. I felt guilty about the pieces of my soul that died along with them.
“Indeed. She told me about the staged robbery, but it was too late already. The issue was in the hands of The Commission by then, so now we stick to the arrangement as decreed.”
Right then, Matt marched back into the office, his face covered in rage. Whatever Francesca did or said, she had managed to crawl under his skin and artfully shove him into the deep end. I had never seen my invariably controlled brother wear his emotions on his sleeve the way he was right now.
“It’s set.” He practically grunted, “I’ll see you in New York for the wedding.”
On our way out, Matt was still huffing in wrath, his jaw clenched and his muscles almost popping out of place. I had to laugh. Seeing him this worked up because of a woman was nothing short of hilarious.
Matt picked up his phone, angrily scrolling before finally choosing a number and placing it on his ear.
“Who are you calling?”
“Mom.”
“Aww, running to Momma for her to kiss your booboo away? Aren’t you a little too old and too criminal for that?” I teased, enjoying seeing my big bad mafia brother squirm because of a woman.
“Shut up, Asshole. I’m calling her to see how quickly she can plan a fucking wedding.”
Chapter 40
Liam
Much to Francesca’s dismay, my mother was an excellent party planner. She thrived under pressure and rose above expectations. No notice was too short for Teresa Battaglia to pull off the event of the damn century.
No expenses were spared, as per Matt’s indication, meaning Mom had no budget to make this happen as fast as possible. Whatever Francesca said or did that day when Matt gave her the engagement ring had him obsessed about sealing the deal. Whether it was a twisted punishment or a means to ensure nothing derailed from his plan, we would never know. One thing was for sure, it was an emotional response, and that was a first coming from him.
