Page 30 of Arranged

Santino

“Time to go, my bride,” I tell Mia, and she nods, twisting her cloth napkin in her hands on her lap.

Standing, we make our way around the room, stopping by the table where her brothers and cousins are seated. Mia says her goodbyes to the girls while deliberately avoiding the men.

I love the backbone my girl has. I honestly think I would’ve hated it if she was too agreeable or eager, or even indifferent, in marrying me. I already proved to her we have the explosive chemistry to be compatible, but I like that I have to earn her heart and her body. And when I do, I’ll do everything in my power to keep them safe and keep her trust.

Nico and Vinny stand. “Can we talk to you for a minute, Mia?” Nico asks.

Mia pauses, contemplating if she should. “Fine.”

“Alone,” he emphasizes, his eyes darting to mine and then back to his sister.

I place my hands in my pockets and watch the three of them walk out of the room for more privacy.

“I’d like a word as well,” Leo says to me.

“Alright.”

“Let’s go outside.”

The night air is refreshing and I want whatever this little talk is going to be about to be over quickly so I can get Mia home.

“We signed the contract earlier,” Leo says, stating the obvious.

“We did.” We signed it before dinner in one of the spare rooms here. I refused to sign before the ceremony.

“I reached out to the Melccionas and we’re set to meet with them on Monday.”

“Good thing I didn’t have a honeymoon planned.”

Leo’s face turns murderous. “Don’t make me wish I killed you and took what I need from your family instead of this deal. I’m entrusting my cousin to you and saw today that I think you genuinely care for her in some capacity, but if you harm one single hair on her head or force her into anything, I will rip up our deal, rip out your throat, cut off your dick, and then burn your body in front of your family so they know what you did.”

“Jesus, I was making a joke, Leo. But even if I was taking Mia on a honeymoon, I would never force her to do anything just because we’re married. I’m not a fucking animal. Whatever happens between us from here on out will be because Mia and I want it to.”

“Good,” he says, his jaw still clenched.

“But don’t threaten me or my family like that again. I stood next to my father when you gave the order to kill him and I watched him die. I haven’t forgotten what you’re capable of, but I’m not my father, just as you’re not yours. I respect you, Leo. You’ve always been a man of your word, and you may not know it yet, but I am too.”

“We’ll soon find out. Trust is earned with me, and all it takes is one mistake for it to be broken. I don’t give second chances.”

“Same with me.”

“Good to know.”

Leo holds his hand out, and as we’re shaking hands, Mia bursts out onto the patio, her face a mix of angry and annoyed.

“I’d like to leave now, Santino.”

“Of course. Leo, I’ll see you Monday.”

He nods, but doesn’t say anything to Mia, probably already knowing what her brothers said to make her so upset.

I place my hand on her lower back and walk us along the path that circles the venue rather than go back through the reception and room full of people.

“What did they say to you?” I ask, trying to keep my voice calm so I don’t give away how much I want to go back in there and throttle her own family for upsetting her on her wedding day of all days.

“Let’s just get out of here.”

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