Page 20 of Forced Vows

He nods, showing me the respect of knowing my own mind. "Let's move to the table, gentlemen. Are you ready to make this official, Róise?"

Her emerald eyes widen in shock, but she nods. "I don't have much choice, do I?"

Severu shrugs. He can be a ruthless son of a bitch and he wants the blood alliance with the Irish.

He's not giving Róise an out.

If I was a better man, I would suggest another way of guaranteeing the alliance, or at least waiting to formalize it.

I don't.

This is about keeping la famiglia strong and safe. And if I have to have the same woman in my bed for the rest of my life, it might as well be one I want as much as I do Róise.

Even if she is too young and irreverent for an underboss's wife.

Everyone sits down when we reach the table. Again, I make sure Róise is beside me, with no other man on her other side.

She gives me a disgruntled frown. "You're clingy for a leader in a criminal organization."

Big Sal finally allows the humor that has been building in him since Róise opened her mouth the first time to burst out in a big guffaw.

She thinks he doesn't like her, but he's been using his disapproving face to hide his mirth for the last hour. Will he be as amused if our cousin Salvatore marries a woman with so much sass?

Róise is staring at Big Sal like she's never seen him before. "Is he alright?"

"Fine."

"But he's laughing."

"At you," her uncle grumbles.

"At your niece's sass," Big Sal corrects. "She'll be a good match for Miceli."

"You think I'm a good match for him?" Róise demands, sounding disappointed. "But—"

My uncle interrupts her. "It takes a strong woman to stand beside a Cosa Nostra underboss."

"But I think it's stupid for women to serve men like they're the superior species."

"Humans are all the same species and lucky you, my nephews see things the same way."

"You do?" Róise asks me suspiciously.

"I think you'll find the Genovese mafia a little more progressive than the Irish," my brother answers for me.

"It's not progressive to let women into your ranks, it's foolish." Brogan shakes his head. "But you run your mob your way, I'll run mine."

"You allow women to be made?" she asks, incredulous.

"Don't tell me you think women can't be just as ruthless as men?" I mock.

"Of course they can, but I'm shocked you believe it too."

"My daughter is my son's underboss," Big Sal says proudly. "She's fierce."

"Wow. I want to meet her."

"You'll get to meet Nerissa and the rest of the family at your birthday party," Sev says.

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