Page 9 of Unwanted Marriage with the Mafia Boss

Nothing was really mine to keep, and Gennaro always said I didn’t need anything. My only possession was a necklace that probably belonged to my mother, but Gennaro threw it away and told me that getting attached to anyone or anything was a weakness.

Now I have a lot of things, but nothing guarantees that I won’t lose them. I might have to ditch everything to move or my apartment might be under attack. All I need is easily replaceable, so it doesn’t matter. Gennaro was right when he said that getting attached was a bad idea. Rocco is proof of that.

“Look, Nora will be fine, and that’s all that matters,” I say. “Prepare the offer for her family and send it as quickly as possible, once the investigation and all is done. It shouldn’t take long. Nora is old and the fire came from the stove. No one will dwell on it too much.”

“Okay.” Rocco presses his lips into a tight line.

“Have you sent those offers I told you about?”

He nods. “We’re waiting for their answer.”

“Good.” I smack my lips together.

Now all we have to do is wait.

CHAPTER 5

Chiara

I sweepthe broom over the floor, getting the last of the crumbs. It’s time to close the restaurant, but my dad is still talking to some neighbors. Judging by the expressions on their faces, it’s a heated discussion. I can only catch a few words here and there, so I inch closer.

“He’s crazy if he thinks we’re going to sell,” Pietro—my dad’s best friend and our closest neighbor—says. “I don’t know what’s up with the guys who agreed.”

“He’s just another one of those businessmen who think money buys everything. If someone wants to sell, let them. We won’t, and we’re not going anywhere.”

“I heard some even agreed to sell at a lower price!” Pietro waves his hands in annoyance. “They didn’t want to deal with the guy. They say he’s a mafia boss.”

“Hmm.” My dad scratches his chin. “Who knows? It’s all just rumors.”

“Yeah, but it’s bad. Trust me. It’s like he’s buying properties one by one, and he’s planning to build some kind of resort here. We can’t let that happen. Would you sell your house and restaurant and go somewhere else? I can’t imagine it. I can’t.” Pietro shakes his head. “My grandfather lived here, and I wantmy grandchildren to live here one day too. We don’t need another huge hotel or whatever the hell that asshole plans to build.”

“I agree.”

“But what if everyone around us sells, huh? We’ll end up looking at some monstrous building. I’m telling you, it’s not going to end well.”

I furrow my brow. Many old houses in town have been mowed down, only for hotels and apartments to sprout. But our neighborhood has always been special. Different. People here love our little community and our history. I can’t imagine any of it gone, let alone all of it.

But rich people always get some crazy ideas. They want to erect the tallest—and usually the ugliest—building in town to show off their wealth. It’s ridiculous, and it shouldn’t even be allowed here. Our neighborhood needs to be protected and cherished, not destroyed.

There are plenty of other places for another hotel or whatever. It doesn’t have to be here. I’m sure the idiot rich guy will realize that and leave us alone. People who sold their houses to him made a mistake, and they’ll probably have regrets. I know my family and I aren’t going anywhere. It would be crazy.

“Hey, honey.” My dad waves at me. “Can you bring us another bottle of wine?”

“Sure!” I give him a small smile.

Yeah, we’re definitely not going anywhere. Our life is here and always has been. No one and nothing is going to change that.

It’s beena few weeks since I went to Amore Bruciante. I’m always busy with something, either with college or therestaurant, but today, I have some spare time. And I need to relax. Has going to the club become an addiction or is it just the only way for me to release all the pent-up tension? I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter.

As I enter the club, I look around. Where is he? Where is Blue? I’d have to be very lucky to show up here at the same time as him. Would that even be luck? I don’t know why I want to see him. He and I are over. I only do one-night stands for a reason, and I don’t need things to get complicated. Besides, Blue probably doesn’t want me anymore.

After some walking around, I lean against the wall next to the bar. It’s one of those nights when I just don’t feel like hooking up with anyone here. Sure, I’ve spotted some safe options, but I don’t find them attractive.

What if Blue has ruined me for everyone else? I’ve never felt anything like that with anyone, even if it sounds crazy, but I really wish I were here to meet with him and not anyone else. I don’t want a new guy. Maybe I should just leave.

“Hello, beautiful.” A guy with dark brown hair and brown eyes places his hand against the wall next to me.

“Sorry, I’m not interested.” I don’t remember ever seeing him, and I really don’t feel like hooking up with anyone.

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