Page 16 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

His smile dropped, and his eyes darkened. Luciano leaned in. “We will live under the same roof. Sleep in the same bed. But I will not touch you. The only time our lips will meet is on our wedding day. We won’t ever start a family. So, if your dream was to have children you can give up that dream right now.”

I didn’t want him any more than he wanted me, but I thought we’d at least have children.

My heart was in my throat. I couldn’t swallow. My father ruined my life. A part of me knew, even though Spencer wasn’t a made man. He held a piece of my heart. If Luciano wasn’t in the picture, dad wouldn’t have given Spencer my hand in marriage. I would’ve been back at square one searching for a man who had qualities of a mafia man. A killer.

“I don’t want to sleep with you, either. Starting a family to carry on our bloodlines is a totally different situation.”

I in turn leaned in. “Believe it or not I’m all for wealth, power, and control.”

His eyes widened as he sank back into the wooden chair.

Bringing the glass to my lips, I gulped the remaining contents down my throat. A laugh swirled with the alcohol in my belly. He thought he was the only one all about power. No, no, no. Men and women would bleed for crossing our families.

His gaze locked with mine. “You threw me for a loop, Rosetta.”

Tossing my arm over the side of the table, I arched a brow. “You will be the king and I will be the queen, Luciano. I loathe weakness and hate being embarrassed. Keep your women hidden and I’ll keep my life private, too.”

The waitress approached, placing our meals before us. “Would you like another bottle of wine?” Her brown eyes danced between us.

“Yes,” I responded.

She scurried off.

“Are we in agreement, Luciano?”

“Yes.”

She returned with a new bottle and poured us each a glass. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you.” Luciano raised his glass in the air.

And I held mine high.

“Here’s to creating a solid empire.”

My glass clinked his. “Salute.”

***P***

The night before I was to marry Luciano, I sat on the king-sized bed in my suite. I stared at my wedding gown hanging on the closet door. I couldn’t believe I was marrying Luciano Conti. Every nerve ending in my body was on fire. In that moment, I wished I could flee. Run away to Italy and start over. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option. Dad would find me and bring me back to carry out my tasks.

Heavy fists pounding on the door brought me out of my pity party.

Who could it be? I heard arguing.

“I need to see Rosetta. Now,” he roared.

Gripping the knob, I swung the door open and my jaw slacked. “Spencer.”

He was a beautiful wreck. The wrinkled black suit hung on his Adonis frame.

Donavan and Niv turned to me, fists clenched at their sides.

“Come in.”

“Are you sure, Rosetta?”

“Yes, Donavan.”

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