Page 5 of Vicious Union

All I do is dance and flirt. Nothing else. I’m not that stupid. I don’t need to wind up pregnant and have to explain that to my dad, so I’ve kept the touches to above my waist. I know what’s expected of me someday—marriage.

Ugh. Marriage to some Mafia man I’m most definitely not going to want to be married to.

That’s why I’m getting my freedom where I can.

I’m careful not to drink anything, lest I end up roofied and wake up in a bathtub with my kidneys missing. I’m careful to only smile and dance and flirt with men.

But I wish I didn’t have to be so careful.

The little bit of freedom I’ve experienced has been great, but I’m desperate for more. I want to go where I want, when I want, with whom I want without worrying about my dad’s disappointment.

Because that’s the thing—my dad thinks of me as his little princess. I swear, he still sees me as a five-year-old. And I don’t want to change that because if he started seeing me as an adult, he’d never let me leave the house. Right now, it’s so easy for me to sneak out because he trusts me so much.

Do I feel bad about deceiving that trust? Yes. But I don’t feel that bad when I’m dancing at the club.

I would’ve spent more time there tonight if that stupid idiot Emilio De Luca hadn’t spotted me. I lied to him when I said I didn’t know him. At first, I didn’t, but after I heard his name, I knew exactly who he was. I attended the wedding of his brother, Massimo, just six months ago. It was a huge affair with hundreds of people. I’m honestly shocked—and a little flattered—Emilio remembers me.

We never spoke. My dad wanted me at his side. I went to the reception, had a fun time dancing with my dad, then left.

I hadn’t thought about the De Lucas since then. But everyone in this city knows them. At least, the ones within the Mafia do. They’re the head honchos. The top dogs. Everyone knows to fear and respect them.

My dad works for Rocco De Luca, Emilio’s older brother. He’s spoken about the three brothers before, but since I’d never met them, I wasn’t worried about listening that hard. I never guessed I would run into one at the club.

And that he’d scold me for my clothing choices and threaten to tell my dad. I can’t believe him! I get he’s powerful, but he’s not my husband, brother, or father. He has no say in my life. And even if he was one of those things, he still wouldn’t get to boss me around like that.

My own father doesn’t boss me around. I’m not going to let some man who has no connection to me do it.

I should’ve ignored him and walked right back into the club, but I could tell he was serious about calling my dad, and I can’t have my dad find out I’m not his little princess anymore. It would break his heart, which would break mine.

All my freedom I’ve experienced would be gone.

I try to push Emilio from my mind as I fall asleep. It works … until I dream about his face.

When I wake up, I feel even more annoyed with him for disturbing my dreams than before I went to sleep.

* * *

“Good morning, pumpkin,” Dad says when I shuffle into the kitchen. He has breakfast ready for us. No maid for our family. My dad loves to cook, which I know he gets judged for. Mafia men are supposed to be manly. And manly men don’t cook. I think that’s a load of bullshit, so I appreciate that my dad cooks for us.

“Hi, Daddy.” I give him a kiss on the cheek, then take my seat. He smiles like he’s so proud of me. I feel the tiniest bit guilty I’ve been lying to him for months about sneaking out at night to go to the club. “Breakfast looks good.” I take a bit of my pancakes, then start to chew slowly when I see he’s still smiling at me.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“I have exciting news, pumpkin. I’ve finally found a husband worthy of you.”

I almost spit my pancakes out of my mouth. So, this is it, huh? I knew this day was coming. I just have to hope that because my dad is so excited, he really did find me a good man to marry. And who knows? Maybe marriage won’t be so bad. If he’s handsome and kind and likes to dance and is great at kissing, then that doesn’t sound so bad.

“Who is it?”

Dad is so excited he’s practically bouncing in his chair. “It’s a surprise. I’ve invited him over later today.”

I frown. “Daddy, why can’t you just tell me now?”

“Because you’re going to love the marriage match I’ve made for you. I want to see your expression when you realize who it is.”

“I take it he’s … powerful?”

“He is. But I can’t say more. Just get dressed and get ready.” He stands up, kisses my head, then starts cleaning up the plates. “You’re going to make me so proud, darling.”

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