Page 5 of Mafia Wedding

"Are you okay?" I ask under my breath.

"I've been better."

"It's silly, right? What the Familia is asking of us?"

Theía doesn't answer me, and I look at her uneasily. "What's on your mind?"

"Something you probably wouldn't want to hear."

I look at her in horror. "You can't possibly be in agreement—-"

"I am."

Crap!

I should've known she won't be on my side about this. Theía has always been fiercely protective towards me, but it's gotten worse since my parents were killed, and downright crazy when she found out about her condition.

"C'mon, Theía. You really think marrying me off will keep me safe?"

"Safer, at least."

"Safer from what? It's not like someone out there hates me enough to kill me—-"

"Don't be an idiot." The older girl's tone is matter-of-fact. "You're a Petinos. That's enough reason for some people."

"I get that, I really do. But—-"

Theía gestures for me to keep quiet when her phone starts to ring. "I need to take this."

Oh boy.

People have been giving us a wide berth because of Theía's "condition", but it's the complete opposite as soon as my aunt walks away.

"You won't find fault with my boy, little Babita."

Mama sharks come at me one after another, and while some of them only have their own families' advantage in mind—-

"You haven't heard this from me, but I was told that Ricardo's boy called you 'plump'. I wouldn't choose him if I were you."

Others would prefer to see my family or someone else's at a disadvantage.

"Your family has money. Ours has firepower."

"Fight for yourself! You are not some mindless cattle for them to order as they please."

"Is there any guy you have an eye on? I know the dirt about everyone here."

I get it either way.

Family is what matters most for all of us here. Always has, always will, and if my marriage is what would keep the Petinos clan from getting expelled from the Familia—-

"My nephew thinks you're pretty."

"How do you feel about experimenting? My daughter believes the two of you would make a great couple."

"Our family is very modern. We wouldn't expect you to be monogamous."

I...can do it, right?

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