Page 6 of Triplets for the Mafia Prince

As I’m led to Vincenzo Rinella’s office, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this errand than meets the eye. My father's never been one for simple gestures. There's always an angle, always a hidden agenda. I just can't figure out what it is this time. Perhaps this will be my opportunity to find out.

I straighten my tie one last time, plastering on the mask of the cool, collected underboss. Whatever happens in the next few minutes, I can't let them see how much I despise this entire situation. It's time to play my part and get this over with.

I enter the study, my eyes quickly scanning the room before settling on Vincenzo Rinella. He's seated behind an imposing desk, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed back, his dark eyes piercing as they meet mine, a hint of surprise in them.

"Niccolo Nardone," he says, his voice carrying a hint of displeasure. "I expected your father to come himself."

I feel a flicker of irritation. As if I want to be here any more than he wants me here. The urge to push back, to tell him exactly what I think of this whole arrangement… I mean, what sort of motherfucker sells his teenage daughter to a seventy-year-old sexual deviant? Vincenzo Rinella, apparently. But I swallow down my disgust, reminding myself that I have to follow through to protect Gia and the kids.

I shrug. “I’m sorry you’re disappointed.”

His eyes narrow. “I’m offended. Do I not warrant such respect?”

Fucking hell. I don’t have time for this shit. “Shall I return home empty-handed and let my father know you expect him to leave his business in New York to appease you?”

He grunts, clearly not satisfied with my words or my attitude. If I were in his shoes, I'd be insulted too. But that’s part of thegame. If Vincenzo wants whatever deal he set up with my father, he’ll endure this afront.

"Well," Vincenzo says after a moment, "I suppose you'll have to do. Bella should be down shortly. I am concerned that she be married before your father… consummates their relationship.”

I have an urge to strangle Rinella. He clearly knows what sort of man my father is, what he’ll subject his daughter to, and yet, he’s handing her over like a wad of old cash.

“She’ll be staying with my sister until the wedding. Will you be attending?”

“Of course. This is a big event. Chicago’s finest family with New York’s.”

I resist rolling my eyes. Rinella is a powerful man, but not Chicago’s finest. I have to wonder why my father is doing business with him and not Don Caruso, the head of The Chicago Outfit. Or even the D’Amatos who have a better reputation for smarts, money making, and avoiding prosecution. My guess is that Rinella came to my father with the deal.

“I’ll be there in time for the first shipment to arrive in New York,” he says.

I nod, my mind racing to sort out the deal my father made. My father has docks in Manhattan, but my guess is that Rinella is referring to the ones he has in Buffalo. The question is, what is the shipment? My father's never mentioned to me this aspect of our business with the Rinellas before.

"Of course," I reply smoothly, not letting my confusion show.

Vincenzo leans back in his chair, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "Good. Your father assured me that this would be his focus. It's a significant investment for both our families."

Right. He’ll forgive my father for not focusing on being here to pick up his daughter as long as the business is his priority. I understand the world I live in. Money and power are the topgoals. But shouldn’t family count for something beyond a pawn in a business deal?

I force myself to relax, to maintain the façade of the dutiful son and competent underboss.

“You can be sure your shipment will be taken care of.”

A knock interrupts us.

“Enter,” Rinella bellows.

A middle-aged woman enters, looking tired and timid. She must be the wife, beaten down by a life with this motherfucker.

“Bella is ready.” She glances at me, her eyes registering surprise. She must think I look great for a seventy-year-old man.

“Send her down,” Rinella says, not bothering to introduce me.

She nods and exits the office. I wonder if Bella Rinella will be like her. If so, my father will eat her up and spit her out. She won’t last long.

Fuck. I’ve been brought into this, making me complicit in this poor girl’s destruction. I want more than anything to walk out of there and let my father deal with this. Or better yet, take the girl and send her somewhere safe, away from both our fathers. But I can’t. Not unless I can find a way to send Gia and the kids away as well. How can I protect Bella without endangering my sister and her kids?

Moments later, the door opens. This is it. In a few moments, I'll come face to face with the girl whose fate has become inexplicably entwined with my own.

A woman appears and for long moments, I can only stare at her. She looks like she stepped out of one of Gia’s fashion magazines. She’s wearing black jeans that fit long, curvy legs. Her cream-colored sweater looks soft, probably cashmere, as does the coordinating scarf.

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