Page 35 of His Cursed Heart

"Are you really? Because I hate the fact that you're forced to marry Althea just because Keres died." Her angry face makes me smile a little.

"Emmeline," I say her name with authority so she can look at me again. "Marrying Althea is a good choice. She's strong and she'll be perfect in the Outfit."

She sighs and nods.

"You look handsome." She says with a smile and nods at my suit. I chose a black three pieces suit that makes my body huge.

"Thank you."

Emmeline takes out of her bag a purple rose and puts in on the left side of my chest.

"Venus's orders." I nod shortly.

Venus takes her role as a maid of honor very seriously.

Another knock on the door interrupts us, and I see Ivan entering the room in his grey suit and black ear pads in his ears.

"Mr. Luciano wants to have a word with you, sir."

I breathe loudly and nod at Ivan to bring him in.

"This is my time to leave. See you at the church, Beast." Emmeline kisses my cheek.

"Are you here for the wedding or are you staying?" I ask my sister.

"I'm back home, Ev." She smiles and leaves.

I turn to the table and see my cigar burn out. I throw it in the trash and drink the last few sips of scotch.

The door opens and I'm ready to face my father-in-law.

What does he want now?

I turn again and I freeze.

A small boy with light brown hair and blue eyes looks at me venomously.

He doesn't look older than five, and his face looks too familiar.

Like Hanibal.

Like Keres.

In front of me is Vincent Fabiano Luciano. The heir of The Famiglia.

Hanibal's bastard, but his proudest joy.

"È lui quello giusto?" He asks his bodyguard.

"Sì." That's all he says, and then the little boy comes towards me with big steps.

"Are you the man who takes my sister away from me?" His voice is fearless, and he looks ready to kill me. His British accent just like his father's.

God, he has Althea's personality.

"I'm not taking her away from you." Vincent looks at me with a frown.

"Don't interrupt me." And he smacks my leg. "I heard from ones of Papa's friends that you are bad and a beast. If you hurt Thea, I will a-ani-" Vincent looks back at his bodyguard, angry because he can't pronounce the word.

---