“Now, it’s time to talk about your marriage.”

I sit up straighter, clearing my throat. I knew this day was coming. “Ok.”

“Your father and I made you a match before he died.” She starts braiding Mia’s hair. “The moment he found out he was sick, he began making arrangements to guarantee a good alliance to further ensure our family’s power. Now that Riccardo is gone, anyone can swoop in and take his place.”

“But Antonio⁠—”

She cuts me off. “Antonio is only twelve. I put on a show by giving him his father’s pendant, but that pendant won’t protect him. Any one of your father’s men can decide to take all of this for himself. We’re not safe.”

Mia whirls around. “We’re not safe?”

Mom sighs and kisses the top of her head. “Sweetheart, go to your room. Emilia and I need to discuss some things.”

“But I don’t want to be alone.”

“I know, but this is grown up talk. I need a moment with your sister.”

Mia pouts as she gets up.

“I’ll read you a bedtime story,” I promise her. She smiles slightly before leaving.

“I just can’t deal with any of that at the moment,” Mom says, more to herself than me.

“It’s ok. I’ll check on everyone after we’re done talking.” I’m used to checking on my siblings anyway. It’s nothing new.

She gives me a grateful smile. “Thank you for that.”

“So, this marriage alliance …”

“Right. Your father made an alliance with a man named Marco Aldi. He’s the ruler of the Italian Mafia in Los Angeles.”

I blink. “LA? No one ever said I’d have to move to marry. I can’t leave you and the family.”

“I know. But you must.” She reaches over and grabs my hands. “Emilia. This is the marriage your father made for you. Everything is already planned, and it’s being put into place as we speak.”

“You mean … the wedding is already planned?”

“Yes. I bought you a dress. I think you’ll like it.”

“Why wasn’t I included in any of this?”

“Because your father’s sickness came on fast. We didn’t have much time. We planned everything. Marco knows you’ll be coming to marry him in a few days. He was notified the moment your dad died. He’s expecting you on Friday.” Friday is just two days away.

“So, I’m just supposed to show up and marry a man I’ve never met?”

“Yes. You won’t get the chance to meet him before the wedding. We need this to happen as soon as possible before anyone can try and hurt us here. If you’re married to a powerful man like Marco Aldi, we will be protected.”

“I’ve never even heard of this man.”

“I know. Your father has had many business dealings with him in the past, but he never mentioned him to you because you didn’t need to know every part of his business. Just trust me when I say that Marco is the most powerful man on the West Coast.”

“But if he lives in LA, how can he offer our family protection in New York?”

“His reach extends far. And this alliance will merge our families’ power. This is for the best. Trust me.”

“I do. And I knew this was coming. It’s just scary thinking about leaving you all behind.”

“I know.” She cups my cheek. “You’ve always been the strong one in our family. You’ve always been strong for me. By doing this, you’ll be protecting us, as you’ve always done.”

The doorbell rings.

Mom frowns. “I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

“Neither was I.”

We walk to the door together and open it, revealing Franco on our doorstep.

“Hello, Giulia, Emilia. May I come in?”

Mom and I share a look that clearly states we don’t want to let Franco inside, but we’re supposed to be polite Mafia women. If a man shows up on your doorstep, you let him in.

Mom opens the door wider for him, and he strolls on in like he owns the place. He even has the audacity to sit on the couch and put his boots on the coffee table. I can tell Mom wants to tell him off, but she keeps her mouth shut.

“Franco, what is it you need?” Mom and I sit on the other couch, still clasping hands.

“Just to tell you that I’ll be taking over in Antonio’s place, at least until he’s old enough to rule on his own.”

This is what my mom warned me about. I just wasn’t expecting for it to happen literally an hour after my father’s funeral.

“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.”