Page 8 of Deadly Don's Baby Contract

"We're going to the boutiques on Sixth Avenue," I say to Marido, the driver.

I sit back and pat my gun in its holster.

"Is that really necessary?" Aria asks. "It's not like someone is going to try to kill me."

"Something you should learn about marrying into my family, you're always in danger. You’re in danger from the police and other families. You're under a constant threat because Marco holds a position of power. When you're married to him, you'll get a set of guards that will protect you with their lives, and I'll be free."

"I'm sure you can't wait," Aria says quietly.

I glance at her. She's staring out the window as the city passes us by.

I feel compelled to reassure her that Marco will treat her right. But I can't bring myself to lie to her. Not even if I don't like her.

And I don't.

I mean, I definitely don't like her.

She's high and mighty and thinks she's better than me when she definitely isn't. She's just the Goddaughter of a family friend. She brings nothing to the table.

We reach the boutiques, and she goes through the shoes as I sit near the door, watching. This is the most boring thing Marco has ever had me do, and he's made me do some dumb shit in my time. I have business to attend to, and more importantly, I have family business to attend to. I can't be running around after his little bride when the supply runs are in danger, when there are snitches around and especially not when the narcs are out to get us.

"I'm ready to try another place," she says as she walks over to me.

I motion for my two men to follow me, and we go over to the next store. We go to five stores, but she still doesn't pick a pair of shoes. I glance at the time. "We have to go to your fitting now. You'll have to find shoes later."

She doesn't argue, which is surprising, and she follows me out of the store. We make it to the designer just in time.

"You're late."

"I'm on time," I say with a smile. I hug Louise, my mom’s oldest friend. "Here's the bride. If you can work with that."

"Don't be horrible," Louise says. "She will make a gorgeous bride."

Aria seems shy all of a sudden and I nudge. "Go on then. It's time to try on some dresses."

Aria goes forward, and Louise takes her hands. "Definitely a gorgeous bride. Something spread out, like a ballgown but with a bodice for the top. Crystals sewn into the bodice so you sparkle on your magical night."

"That sounds magical," Aria says. "Do you have something like that?"

"It's already waiting for you in the changing room. Franco, we'll be right back."

"Take your time," I wave them off.

I sit down on the chair in front of the mirrors, and I wait for them to come back.

"Boss, do you want a soda or something?" Marido asks.

"Yeah, get me a cola and see if you can find a hotdog place so we can eat something." I take out my wallet. "Here." I hand him a hundred-dollar bill. "I don't want onion on mine, just ketchup and mustard."

"What about the girl?"

"Get her the same as me. Get us two each. I'll eat her second one if she doesn't want it." I rest back and drum my fingers on my legs as my guards leave.

The door to the changing room opens, and Aria walks out, holding the dress as it's a little big for her. She steps onto the platform in front of me, and in one moment, that moment, I know I've lost something truly magical.

I swallow hard and examine every inch of her. When I reach her face, I find her looking at me perplexed. "Is it that bad?"

"Not at all, in fact..." My phone starts ringing, and I jump up. "Sorry, I need to take this. Hold that thought."

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