Page 245 of Forced Vows

No one abstains from the vote.

Chapter 83: RÓISE

Miceli caresses my back as he walks behind me before moving around to stand in front of the head table.

It's a small touch, but it lets me know that I matter. Even in this incredibly heavy moment for their mafia.

I don't know if we have ceremonies like this in the mob, but I have never been to one. The capos stand as one and begin to come forward. I recognize the first man who takes a knee in front of Miceli.

It is his cousin, Salvatore. "I offer my life and my loyalty to you and the Genovese."

Miceli raises his hand and Salvatore bends his head over it. First, he kisses the ring. Then he touches the ring to his forehead.

"I accept your allegiance and loyalty.” Miceli’s voice is deep and commanding, sending a totally inappropriate frisson of desire through me.

I hope no one notices the way my breath catches as he takes one oath after another from all of these powerful men.

It takes almost an hour for every one of the men to make their pledge and kiss the ring. It is strange how the time both passes quickly and yet feels like it stretches to eternity as each man kneels in front of Miceli.

When the last capo's second stands and returns to his table, Miceli's uncle comes down from the head table and follows suit. Miceli told Allessio he would give his oath of loyalty later.

As part of Miceli's crew, he has already vowed lifelong loyalty to my fiancé, but that's not why Miceli wants him to wait.

After Big Sal, everyone stands again and lifts their glasses, shouting a toast to the new don.

The words about knock the air out of me, sending a chill down my spine.

This isn't a formality. This is life or death for their syndicate. Fidelity means everything and these powerful capos are offering theirs to Miceli.

I am about to marry the Don of the Genovese, the second most powerful man in New York, my uncle included.

And I am supposed to be his dona.

My knees want to give way, but I don't let them.

After the toast, Miceli beckons to Allessio.

Allessio jerks like he's surprised, but he approaches Miceli and drops to one knee in front of him.

Miceli accepts Allessio's vow of loyalty and then does something he did not do for any of the capos or his uncle. My don puts his hand out to lift Allessio to his feet.

Allessio stares at Miceli with confusion but takes the hand and stands tall beside his boss.

Miceli’s lips tilt in a half smile. “I discussed who to choose as my underboss with both my brother and my wife."

The entire room goes quiet. You could hear the drop of a feather from an angel’s wing, much less a pin.

All of the capos are looking intently at Allessio and Miceli.

"I choose Allessio as my underboss." Miceli turns his head so he can meet the eyes of each of his capos. "When he speaks, he speaks for me. When he acts, he acts for me. He is my right arm."

Salvatore lifts his fist in the air and shouts and the other capos follow, creating a cacophony of sound in the room and showing their approval for Allessio as the new Genovese underboss.

My shout is just as loud as anyone's.

This is what I want. I know Allessio will always have Miceli's back like Miceli has his brother's. There are men in the Genovese Cosa Nostra with more seniority than Allessio, but none more loyal to my fiancé.

That commitment might be matched by his brother and his cousin, but neither can be Miceli's underboss.

---