Page 51 of Bound By Honor

“Valentina or Caterina?” Enzo asks quietly. We all know the stories—Valentina, the wild one who runs their smuggling operations and leaves chaos in her wake, and Caterina, her shy sister who barely speaks above a whisper.

“I won’t know until my wedding day.” Dominic’s laugh is bitter. “That was Franco’s one non-negotiable term in the contract. I agree to marry whichever twin he chooses, and I don’t find out which one until she walks down the aisle.”

“Cristo.” Marco stops pacing. “That’s twisted, even for Franco.”

“He’s enjoying this,” Enzo observes darkly. “Making the mighty Don Salvatore sweat over which sister he’ll be chained to for life.”

“It’s psychological warfare,” Luciano says quietly. “He knows the uncertainty will eat at you.”

“He’ll probably saddle you with Valentina just to watch you try to tame a hurricane,” Marco finishes.

“Either way, I’m bound by the contract.” Dominic’s voice carries a finality that makes my heart ache. “One month from today, I’ll marry whichever Rossi twin Franco chooses. And there’s not a damn thing any of us can do about it.”

“You can’t do this,” I step toward him. “Not for me?—”

“I’m not just doing it for you.” His expression softens slightly. “I’m doing it for all of us. For peace. For family.”

“And if they give you Valentina?” Marco’s voice carries genuine concern.

“Then I’ll weather the storm.” Dominic straightens his jacket, a tell I recognize from childhood, when he’s steeling himself for battle. “Though I’m hoping for Caterina. At least she seems... manageable.”

“Manageable?” Enzo snorts. “Brother, you’re planning to marry into the family that tried to kill us. Multiple times. And you’re banking on getting the quiet twin?”

“I’m not planning to fall in love with either of them,” Dominic’s voice turns sharp. “This is business. Strategy. Nothing more. But if I have to bind myself to a Rossi, I’d prefer the one who doesn’t make headlines for starting bar fights in Miami.”

The weight of his sacrifice is heavy around my neck. My strong, commanding brother, agreeing to bind himself to our enemies—all to protect me, to protect our family.

“Dom—” I start, but he holds up a hand.

“It’s done, Aurora. Let it be. It has to be me,” Dominic insists, a shadow crossing his face. “Franco won’t accept anyoneelse. There are... debts between us. Ancient history that needs settling.”

But I catch the slight tremor in his hand as he pours another drink, the way his shoulders seem just a bit heavier.

The deal is done, but looking at him now, I wonder what price we’ll all pay for this peace.

Luca’s laughter drifts from the garden where Rosetta watches him chase fireflies. The sound cuts through the tension, reminding us of simpler joys.

“Whatever comes,” Luciano says quietly, “we face it together. All of us.”

“How touching.” A new voice makes us all freeze. “Such family unity. Your Mamma would be proud.”

I turn slowly, my heart thundering.Papàstands in the pavilion entrance, power radiating from his elegant frame. Silver threads his dark hair, but his eyes—so like Dominic’s—burn with calculated intelligence.

“Papà.” Dominic straightens, authority settling over him like armor. “You’re early.”

OurPapà’ssmile doesn’t reach his eyes. “A father can’t surprise his children?” His gaze sweeps over us, landing on me. “Especially when there’s so much to discuss.”

EPILOGUE

“Are you ready,piccolo?” I straighten Luca’s tie, my heart thundering against my ribs. He nods solemnly, the velvet box clutched in his small hands like a precious treasure.

Through the pavilion’s gauzy curtains, I watch Aurora with my father-in-law-to-be. My mind drifts to last night’s tense conversation in Dominic’s study, where I formally asked for his sister’s hand.

“You know what you’re asking?” the former Don Salvatore had challenged, his eyes sharp. “After everything with Maria, with Alessandro—you dare ask for my daughter?”

“Papà,” Dominic’s voice cut through the tension. “Luciano has proven himself. He took a bullet for her, gave her his kidney. His loyalty?—”

“Loyalty?” he’d scoffed. “And what of your loyalty,figlio? Agreeing to marry a Rossi just so your consigliere can marry your sister? You have grown soft, Dominic.”

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