“My son can rule just fine,” Giulia says.
Franco gives her a condescending look. “We both know he can’t. He’s too young. He’ll need guidance, and I can offer that.”
“You say this is just temporary.”
Franco sniffs as he shifts in his seat. “Yes. Just temporary. Until Antonio is at least eighteen. You know this is a good idea. I already talked to my men, and they agree with me.”
Mom’s hand tightens around mine. “You mean Riccardo’s men. They’re not yours.”
“They are now,” he says casually like he’s discussing the weather.
“No, they’re not,” I cut in. “They’re Antonio’s men.”
Franco checks his watch like he can’t even bother to give me his attention. “Then why wasn’t Antonio at this meeting, hmm? I didn’t see him there. I was there, and I took the role of leader of the Italian Mafia. Simple as that.”
“You know damn well that Antonio was here mourning the loss of our dad,” I spit out.
Mom doesn’t scold me for my language, for which I’m grateful. “You had no right to do this, Franco.”
“But I did it anyway. And as I said, it’s only temporary. I will pass the baton over to Antonio when he’s eighteen. But then then, I figured I’d move in with you.”
“Why?” Mom asks.
“Because you need a man around this house. It’s not good for all these girls to be running around wild, now, is it? This way, I can keep an eye on all of you. As the newly appointed boss, it’s for the best. Riccardo would have wanted you cared for, after all.”
“And you can do that?” I ask dubiously.
“I can.” He either ignores my tone or doesn’t pick up on it. “I already have movers coming over now with my things. I’ll take the master bedroom.”
“But that’s my room,” Mom hisses.
Franco just smiles.
Mom sits back in her seat, and I angle myself in front of her. “I’ll be married soon,” I tell Franco. “And my new husband will have a lot of power.”
“I imagine so. Whoever he is will help bring even more power to our family. To me. And in fact, I already thought of a marriage match for you. Giuseppe Ferrari. He’s quite a bit older, but he has a lot of money. He’ll make a good match for you.”
“My father already made a match for me. I’ll be marrying him in—”
Mom grabs my arm, cutting me off. “Giuseppe Ferrari sounds like a good choice.”
I frown at her. She doesn’t meet my gaze.
Franco nods. “I thought so. Now, it’s been a long day. I’ll see myself to my new room.” He walks up the stairs, not even asking permission.
I turn to my mom. “What about the marriage match that Dad made?”
“That is still on. I’m not marrying you off to whoever Franco chooses. Giuseppe Ferrari? Ugh. He’s almost seventy years old. I want my kids to make good marriage matches, but I’m not going to subject you to that. Trust me. You’re still going to marry Marco. We just need to leave for LA and get you married before Franco can stop it.”
“Will Marco be able to kick out Franco?”
She’s silent for a moment. “Maybe not. We might be stuck with him until Antonio does come of age. But at least you’ll have a powerful husband that your father chose and not Franco. If Franco chooses your husband, you’ll always be in his pocket, and I’m not letting that happen.”
A thought occurs to me. “Mom, you said you wouldn’t marry me to Giuseppe because he’s old. How old is Marco? I know nothing about this man either, other than that Dad chose the match.”
“He’s thirty. So older than you, but not exorbitantly so.”
“What does he look like?”
She pauses. “Uh … actually, I’m not sure. He likes to keep to himself a lot. I’ve never seen him, and your father never described him to be. He’s sort of a mystery. I only know he’s rich, rules LA, and your father chose him. That’s good enough for me. It will have to be good enough for you.”
“I have no choice in the matter. I never had.”
“That’s how life is for a woman born into the Mafia. None of us gets a choice. But when an opportunity presents itself, we take it. And you do have a choice now. Either Giuseppe or Marco. Franco or your father.”
“When you put it like that, it’s an easy choice. I know my duty, Mom, and I’m prepared to follow through. I’m prepared to help take care of our family.” I’ve been doing it most of my life. This isn’t any different.
“Now, we just need to get you married.”
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I was meant to protect her… instead I consumed her.
Sofia Di Luca is spoiled and innocent.
