Page 4 of Promise to Break

"His girlfriend?" Serena asks with a twinkle in her eyes.

Sometimes, I forget how naïve my sister can be. I don't know if she's in the least aware of who her future husband really is. We've never talked about it, and I haven't dared to bring it up. Somehow, even after all that has happened to us in the past, Serena still believes good people exist, and I let her as much as possible.

"I'm sorry?" Franco stares at us. He probably sent his younger son to some poor woman's house with instructions that she see the fish from the bottom of the ocean. I saw the movie Godfather like everyone else.

Serena glances at Santino, then Franco, before responding. "Oliguria. Is she his girlfriend? Santino told me that Killian is one year older than my Mari. She doesn't have a boyfriend yet. She's a little shy with boys."

Serena, stop fishing, I tell her with my eyes, but she doesn't pay me any mind.

"Oh, no." Isabella waves her manicured hand in the air. "My youngest is promised to his seventh-grade sweetheart. They are lovely together. You'll meet her soon. Killian went on some business."

I remember seeing pictures of the young bombshell, Lila Knight, more than once on Killian's arm. They always look like the perfect couple, even as young as they both are, her with her shiny red hair and expensive clothes and him with his bad boy looks. It's like they came out of some fucked-up fairy tale where the prince gets bested by a biker boy.

Dinner is delicious, and the conversation flows with no awkwardness. No one asks about our financial status or our family history. Santino is likely the reason for all of that. I don't know what he told his family about us, and to be honest, I don't care. I have just two years left to live with my sister and build my life. It was the promise I made to her. To finish high school and to take at least two years of study at a college. Santino's marriage to her promises me he will protect her soft soul from the cruel world outside.

It's not that Serena is a fool. She's strong, smart, and capable. After all, she's saved my life more than once. Serena's problem is she's too trusting. She doesn't see the bad in anyone.

"So, when is the wedding?" Isabella asks.

Santino smiles at his betrothed. "I want it today. Can you make it so, Mama?"

Isabella giggles at her son's antics. Freaking giggles. "I don't think your uncles in Italy can get here that fast."

"We thought perhaps in two weeks," Serena replies. "Santino is in a rush," she adds playfully, so sure of herself. In the past, Serena has always been almost demure in her demeanor.

Isabella blinks. "Are you with child? Don't get me wrong, it would be the best news ever."

Serena looks down at her plate. Fuck, why didn't I think about that?

"No, I am not." It's nearly impossible to tell because of her naturally tanned skin and makeup, but I'm guessing everyone at the table can see the blush that covers her body.

Santino laughs. "It's all me, Mama. Can't you see how beautiful she is? I can't wait for her to be all mine."

I look at Franco, wondering what he has to say. Nothing, apparently, as he takes another bite of pasta and chews methodically, although his smile looks painful.

Isabella sips from her wineglass and hums. "Two weeks is a stretch, but I'll do my best. Your father will have to arrange for his family to be here by then, but I'm sure they'll come."

After that statement, the two women discuss the dress and flowers. I tune them out and scan our surroundings.

Just like the entryway, the room doesn't have much in it, but there are several family photos adorning the walls. From where I sit, they look professionally done, yet I'm not able to see them up close.

It's much easier to see what people are hiding through the lens of a camera. I never understood how other people missed the malice my father possessed in every single picture he took for the press, so I'm always sure to do everything I can to decipher the little details in humans.

Right now, for example, Isabella appears to be extremely happy for her son. Judging by how she touches Serena's hand and how she gazes at the two of them, I'd say she truly likes Serena. Franco, on the other hand, hasn't yet decided what he thinks about her or me. He's polite, and his smiles are full of teeth, but it's like he's practiced these gestures in front of a mirror every morning until he perfected them.

"Young Master Killian," Pedro's voice carries to us from the foyer, "I think it's best you change clothes. Your father has guests this evening."

The lost link replies, but his voice is too muffled to catch his words. Pedro insists, but by this time, the young man from the painting is striding toward the dining room with purposeful steps.

Chapter three

Maricela

I don't know what I expected: blood, gore, maybe him dragging a dead body behind him. But I definitely didn't expect this.

Fucking hot asshole.

Killian Fierro, "The Man and The Ax," enters the room, his black hair disheveled as if he just fucked something or someone over. Dressed in a black leather jacket and black jeans that fit tightly on his massive thighs, along with black boots and no shirt, he enters the room, fully revealing his chest tattoos.

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