Page 4 of Heartless Union

“What did you want to tell me?”

“You’re getting married.”

I cough. “What?”

“I just made a deal with Nico Bianco. An alliance. He’ll help bring in good money for us. But for that to happen, I need you to marry his daughter Lara.”

“… And you didn’t think to discuss this with me first?” My father is impulsive. It’s why he’s gotten into so many financial troubles over the years. “I mean, can we even trust this Nico Bianco? I’ve never heard of him.”

“He has money. That’s all that matters. I’ve set up a meeting for you and Lara later this week. Make me proud, son.”

“I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“Not really. If you want to help our business, you’ll do this. We need all the allies we can get.”

I said something similar at my mom’s grave. I do need allies. If Nico Bianco is really as rich as my father says, then maybe he could help.

Help me take down my own father, that is.

But I need to meet him first. Which means I also need to meet his daughter, Lara. I have no desire to get married, but … if it can help me achieve more power, it’s something I have to seriously consider.

I would’ve just preferred to choose my own bride.

Another way my father is trying to control me.

But if I can spin this to my advantage, it can help me. For now, though, I need to go along with what he wants. I can’t have him becoming suspicious of me.

“I’ll be there,” I tell him.

“Great.” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Oh, and another thing, Rocco. I don’t want you going to your mother’s grave ever again. Some things are better left buried.”

I only nod once before he’s walking away.

“You? Getting married?” Massimo practically falls out of his chair laughing. My brothers and I are at our favorite bar, discussing the news. “That’s the funniest joke I’ve ever heard.”

“Seeing as it’s not a joke,” I say, taking a drink of my beer, “you’re the one who looks like a dumbass right now.”

Emilio laughs at that. Anyone who makes fun of Massimo usually makes Emilio laugh.

“I just can’t believe it,” Massimo says after shooting Emilio a glare. “You’re not the marrying type. Fuck a girl? Sure. Marry her? No.”

“Neither are you,” I remind him.

“Oh, I know. And I’m a proud card-carrying member of the bachelor lifestyle.” He shakes his head, chuckling. “You’re going to die, Rocco. You’ll have to actually learn to live with a woman, and it’s going to drive you up the wall.”

“Give him a chance,” Emilio says. He stares down at his beer for a second before shaking his head. “Never mind. Rocco, I have to agree with Massimo here.”

“Wow, shocker,” Massimo mutters.

“You’re going to go insane in marriage,” he continues, shooting a glare of his own at Massimo.

“I’ll be fine. If it means I can make an ally who’d be willing to take down our father, it’s worth doing it. Even if it means I have to deal with a woman and her … emotions.”

“That’s because you have none of your own,” Massimo fires back.

I level him with a look. “I show plenty of emotion.”

He points at me. “You just said that in a monotone voice, you know that right?”

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