Page 10 of Something Old

I sit up a little straighter, feeling tensed by his words. “Me?”

“Poppet, I need to keep my place at the table. If I don’t - we will lose everything. The house, the cars, everything. I had to—”

“What is going on daddy?” I blurt out, not able to take the suspense anymore. I wish he would just tell me instead of dragging it out like this.

“Leora, I’ve had to agree to an arranged marriage. The marriage will be between you and one of our rival families.”

“Who?” I shout in horror. “You can’t do this.” My heart is pulling and pushing at the same time, and I feel nausea building in my stomach.

“I have a meeting this afternoon with the family - it will be finalized by the end of the day. I’m sorry poppet but I had no choice.”

I stand up, fuming at how ridiculous this is. He can’t force me to marry someone. I’m in love with Mas. Him and I are meant to be together. He kissed me last night.

“You can’t do this daddy. I won’t marry whoever you’re making this arrangement with. I want to get married for love.” I sound like a complete brat, throwing a tantrum. But trust me - you would too if you were just giving the same news.

“Sit down poppet, please.”

“Who is it?” I demand, with my arms folded across my chest as I glare down at my father.

“I am meeting with Vincent Vece. It will be one of his sons.” My father’s voice is filled with regret.

I stare at him in disbelief. Did I hear that right?

Vincent Vece.

Masaccio’s father.

“Are you serious?” I blurt out.

My father’s guilty expression morphs into a frown. “Yes.” He says, watching my expression.

Shit.

I’m forgetting that the Vece’s are our enemies - regardless of what is happening between Mas and me.

“Daddy, you have to do what you have to do for the family.” I say, sitting down at taking his hands in mine. “I understand and I won’t make this more difficult than it has to be.”

My father chews at the inside of his cheek, watching me.

I pout a little. Trying to look at least a little upset about this whole thing.

I mean, Mas is not the only single brother. It could be any of them.

This doesn’t automatically mean I am going to end up marrying him. All of his brothers are super-hot though - but he’s the one I want. I think that as soon as he finds out about the arrangementbetween our fathers, he will jump at the opportunity to marry me.

I purse my lips to hide the smile touching my face.

“I’m going to go shower.” I stand up, needing to get away from my dad. “What time is your meeting? When will you know?”

“I’ll be home at five this evening and we can talk about what was arranged over dinner tonight. I’m really sorry about this poppet. You know - if there was any other way - I would have taken it.”

I reach out and squeeze his shoulder. “Daddy, it’s going to be ok. It won’t be so bad. Whatever keeps our family safe is all that matters to me.”

He pulls me into a hug.

“Thank you, Poppet.” He says, sounding relieved.

I rush upstairs, taking the steps two at a time.

---