Page 4 of Arranged Mafia Marriage

Felicity pales. “The mugging last week. That wasn’t random, was it?”

“No, it wasn’t. Damiano hired those men to eliminate you. Fortunately, they were incompetent.” I tighten my hands at the idea of how close I came to losing her. Even Santino didn’t know that Damiano had discovered her existence last week. I’m chilled as I remember reading the police report for the mugging, which ended abruptly when a large group exited a restaurant, distracting the men so she could run away. I don’t know her, but the idea of losing her like that angers and worries me, and it has little to do with my truce with Santino.

“And now?” Felicity asks, her voice shaky.

I blink, bringing my gaze back to her pretty face. “Now, I’m here to bring you into the fold. It’s the only way to ensure your safety and maintain the balance of power within the family.”

Felicity stands up abruptly, pacing the room. “This is crazy. I’m a dance teacher, not some mafia princess. I can’t just leave my life behind.”

I watch her move, admiring her grace even in distress. “I’m afraid you don’t have a choice. Damiano won’t stop until he’s sure you’re not a threat anymore, and your mere existence is the very threat he fears.”

She whirls around to face me. “And marrying you is supposed to solve that how, exactly?”

“Our marriage will solidify an alliance between the Sicilian mafia and my branch of the Russianbratva, who controls most of Brighton Beach and beyond. It will give you protection and legitimacy within the family. Damiano won’t be able to touch you without risking an all-out war.”

Felicity rumples her short, dark hair. “This is like something out of a movie. I keep waiting for someone to jump out and yell ‘surprise.’”

“I assure you, this is very real,” I say, standing up. “I know it’s overwhelming, but we don’t have much time. We need to leave soon.”

“Leave? Where are we going?”

“To New York. To meet your father.”

She sinks back into her chair, her face pale. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

I move closer, resisting the urge to comfort her physically. “I understand, but Santino wants to see you. He’s been trying to guard you your whole life, even from afar.”

“By arranging a marriage for me?” asks Felicity bitterly.

I sigh. “It’s complicated. The arrangement was made years ago, as a way to ensure your future safety and solidify important alliances. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and make this transition as smooth as possible, but it will happen.”

Felicity studies me for a long moment. “Why do you care? This is just a business arrangement for you, isn’t it?”

Our gazes lock and hold. “It started that way, but now that I’ve met you, I want to protect you for reasons beyond duty or business. You’ll come to understand and enjoy that eventually.”

A faint blush colors Felicity’s cheeks. “Oh,” she says softly.

We stand there in silence for a moment, the air between us buzzing with possible meanings to the words I just said. Finally, she takes a deep breath. “Okay. I’ll go to New York. I’ll meet my father, but I’m not agreeing to anything else yet. I need time to process all this.”

“Before we head to New York, I propose we make a stop in Las Vegas,” I say, keeping my voice neutral.

Felicity’s eyebrows shoot up. “Las Vegas? Why?”

“For an immediate wedding. It’s the best way to ensure your protection.”

She stares at me, her mouth agape. “You can’t be serious. We just met.”

“I understand this is sudden, but it’s necessary. Once we’re married, Damiano won’t be able to touch you without risking an all-out war between our organizations.”

Felicity continues to pace the room. “This is insane. I can’t just marry a stranger.”

I watch her for a moment without speaking, trying to keep control of my temper. My instinct is to rush her onto the Lear jet awaiting us and not worry about her consent to the marriage, but if we’re going to have any semblance of a peaceful marriage, I need her to accept this. “It’s not ideal, but it’s the safest option.”

She stops pacing, turning to face me. “And if I refuse?”

“I can’t guarantee your safety. Damiano is ruthless. He won’t stop until he’s sure you’re not a threat to his inheritance.”

She hugs herself. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

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