Page 91 of Promise to Break

"And don't forget about the car or the fact that he went after her, even after she tried to ruin his gut. He loves her."

I shake my head. Fuck, I'm shaking all over. "Could you both please just shut up?"

"Girl, this is a good thing. Killer loves you, and you love him. I don't see what's wrong with that."

I gape at my fairly intelligent friend. How can she not see what's wrong with me loving him? I don't. I do not love Killian Fierro. I can't love anybody.

But you do. You told him everything, even what Dad did to you. He's the only one who knows. Not even Raven knows everything.

Fuck that voice, fuck everything. I'm not meant for love. I can't give a person that much of myself. Yes, I can love Serena, Connie, and even my friends. But this is different. I don't give them a part of who I am. I don't even give it to myself.

What was that Killian told me? That it's easier to be a nobody?

He trashed that and blew it to smithereens. He made me see him in another light, made me his.

Fuck. He promised me that I'd be his, and here I am, standing in a freaking gorgeous dress that's apparently from some big designer from god knows where, with my makeup on and high-heeled shoes that I would never wear, freaking out because I have feelings for an asshole of a guy.

"Chica, are you okay?" Raven asks. "I thought it was clear as day that he loves you, babe. You need to communicate better."

Julian just gapes at Raven because, yes, if anyone has communication problems, it's Raven. She hides so much with smiles and niceties that one day, she's going to burst like a nova explosion. When it happens, I hope it's on the person who deserves it.

A knock at the door makes me jump, literally jump, on my seven-inch heels.

"Mari, are you ready?" It's Serena. She must be worried I won't dress right for the evening. It's true that I did all in my power to steer clear of the Fierro money, and I might not have the connection she does to the family, but I would never do her wrong. Doesn't she know that yet?

"Come in," I call.

Serena opens the door and steps inside. She looks like a frozen queen in a deep blue dress that changes to a white ombre wave at the hem, And her hair is pulled into a regal updo. She looks nothing like the sister I grew up with—slightly serious, a lot fearful, and the simplest person I have ever known. The only thing left of the old Serena now standing before me is her signature aroma of coconut and summer. Connie isn't with her. The baby is probably with Marlina, who takes care of her. At first, Serena wanted a nanny who would take care of the little angel, but for once, she listened to me when I said that no one would take better care of her than a woman who already loves her. And it's true, Marlina fell in love with Connie the second I took her into the kitchen. She cooed, made faces, and sang for her in Spanish. I bet she'll be like another grandma to my little angel.

"You look…wow. I've never seen you like this," my sister says as a way of greeting.

"I know," Raven exclaims, so proud of herself. "It's the second time she's let me dress her up."

"The second?"

I never told Serena about the Molina party. Although we speak often, it's mostly about her life and my studies, nothing more.

"Raven took me out to a party once. She dressed me almost by force."

"Well, she does have good taste."

I see Raven open her mouth just to shut it at the last second. Good. This is not the time for her or for anyone to know about the thing I have going with Killian. Serena would freak. I can already hear her arguments, and every bit of it would be solid and correct. Serena's a logical woman. She got that from our dad. For all his faults, my father was an astute man. He lacked care and love for me, but he was smart when it came to money, image, and connections. So yes, Serena would freak if she knew I went out or was fucking the wild brother of the Fierro clan.

"Well, I'll leave you then. The guests are about to arrive, and Santi is anxious. His family from Italy is here."

"All of them?" Julian asks, and for some reason, he looks nervous.

"Well, I don't really know all of them. I went to Italy just that once, and for the life of me, I can't remember them all. But from what Isabella and Marlina spoke about, yes. All the Fierro clan is going to attend tonight, and some of the Russo side, as well." Russo is Isabella's maiden name. They're not as powerful and well-known as Franco's family, but they're rich as well. Something about cheese, from what I heard.

Julian disappears from view as Raven and I head down to the party. She chose a lilac dress with a princess cut. She looks natural and almost angelic. And tonight, her straight blonde hair is without any added strands of color. Each and every step Raven takes is measured. She's a mafia princess, after all. I, on the other hand, feel like I'm playing dress-up. This is not me, and it never will be.

I didn't know what to expect when I prepared all the food and sweets for more than two hundred people. More than that, I didn't expect to see some of my classmates and teachers in attendance.

"Why are they here?" I whisper as quietly as I can.

"Show of power. Another Fierro came into the world. You'll see." And I did.

Raven and I found our place near Isabella and her parents. "You look dashing, Maricela. So do you, my little princess," her father says.

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