Page 83 of Forced Vows

Without Miceli's hold on me, I'd probably trip and fall flat on my face.

"Giulia will always have a target on her back because of the family she was born into. Her marriage to Raff keeps her safe."

"Did it ever occur to your dad to provide her with security instead?"

"I doubt it and I wouldn't consider that enough for my child either. It's not enough. Our connections protect us as much as our weapons. Giulia has two mafias watching over her. As my wife you will be one of the safest women in the world."

I believe him, but that's only part of the story, isn't it? "I wouldn't need protection if my family weren't part of the criminal underworld."

"You are born into the family you are born into," he says fatalistically. "Wishing won't change that, but refusing to accept it will make you bitter."

"I suppose you never doubted your place, or wished you could have a normal life." Cut Miceli open and he bleeds Cosa Nostra.

"By the time I knew the difference, I was already fiercely loyal to the Genovese."

"Brainwashed from infancy," I say flippantly.

"Taught a way of life." He pulls me even closer. "Our way."

Stopping, I turn in the embrace that now encircles me and look up into his handsome, serious face. "My dad promised he would make sure I had a different life. A normal life. Even if it meant changing my name and disappearing."

I'm not sure if I would have been any more willing to cut myself off from my family than I am now. What I do know is that once Uncle Brogan took over the family, my chances at a normal life went out the window.

I just didn't realize it until that day in his office when he gave me the ultimatum. Marry into the Italian mafia or stand back and watch while yet another cousin takes my place.

"You wouldn't have been able to disappear with your face in the spotlight." Miceli taps the tip of my nose teasingly, a whimsical twist to his lips. "Even a B Lister would get recognized by somebody connected. Or did you plan on being the world's worst actress?"

Miceli De Luca teasing? Ares was good at it, but I haven't seen this side of him since that night in Portland.

"The term is actor." My disapproving look doesn't reach my eyes and I know it. "And there is such a thing as plastic surgery."

My dad would have balked at that though, because I look so much like my mom.

Intense, dark eyes trap mine. "It would be a travesty to change a single feature on your face."

"Why are you being nice?" And why is my heart racing?

He cocks his head to one side. "Have I been mean?"

"You're an underboss; cruelty is your middle name."

"My job won't touch you. I am cruel. To my enemies. But you're not my enemy. You're going to be my wife."

"You were a jerk about Allessio and Zoey."

"And you were unreasonable."

I shake my head. He doesn't understand. I'm still waiting for the blowback at school. I know it's coming.

"If it makes you feel better, I'm not being nice. I'm being honest."

Like I told Miceli. I didn't grow up in a bubble. I've had guys hit on me. This isn't that. Oh, I'm pretty sure the underboss wants in my pants, but this isn't that.

What is it though? "I'm not all that."

"You know I think you're beautiful."

For a moment, that night hangs between us. His compliments whisper in the air around us.

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