Page 17 of Arranged Obsession
“Then don’t talk about it and do it. And don’t think that’ll solve all our problems.” I push myself up from the chair and stare at him. I’ve always loved my older brother. He’s been good to me for a very long time, and I’m trying to keep that in perspective. If he hadn’t become Don, I would’ve been sold off or killed or worse a long time ago. Adriano gave me space and freedom to do whatever I wanted, at least until now. Most women in my position don’t get that.
It still somehow doesn’t make this any better.
“Daddy!” Alessia comes running over. Her little spindly arms flail as she throws herself at her father. Adriano catches her with a genuine smile, and the love and warmth between those two is genuinely heartbreaking. I pause and watch as he hugs his daughter tightly, and I’m aware that she’s the product of an arranged marriage, just like mine.
Only that’s lightning in a bottle. She’s a damn blessing. Adriano’s relationship with Lucy is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of fluke.
There’s no way in hell it’ll happen for me.
Which means a life of drudgery.
“Auntie Bee, why do you look sad?” Alessia’s big eyes stare at me as she wriggles from her father’s hug.
I wipe my face and put on a big girl smile. “Just allergies, little shrimp.”
“Whatever, big shrimp.” She comes over and bangs her head into my thigh. “Chase me?”
“Can’t, baby girl. Your dad and I have some business.”
“Work.” She rolls her eyes. “Boring. Dumb. Stupid.”
“Alessia,” Adriano warns. “Don’t talk like that.”
She shrugs, the sassy little thing. “Sorry, Daddy.”
“Go play. Your mom’s coming out in a second.” Adriano checks his watch and gets to his feet. He looks at me, expression going hard. “It’s time.”
Nerves jangle down my spine and gather in my belly. Alessia runs off again, singing to herself. I spot Lucy coming out of the sliding back door up on the deck and wave. She waves back and gives me a double thumbs-up of encouragement. I love that girl, but my god, her thumbs aren’t nearly enough right now.
“One more thing,” Adriano murmurs as we head to the front of the mansion together. “Finn’s coming with his father and his older brother.” He glances at me, the smile completely wiped away. “How much do you know about Cormac Whelan?”
I slow and stare at him as the name rattles around my head. “I only know his reputation. He’s their enforcer, right?”
“They call him their Ghostman. He makes their problems disappear. It’s a lot worse than an average Famiglia enforcer,Bianca. I want you to stay far away from that guy while he’s here.”
I tug at the ends of my hair and resist the urge to take out the Chapstick my ghost left behind. “Why did they bring him?”
“I don’t know,” Adriano admits. “It’s honestly a little worrying, but he’s still their family. Maybe he’s close with his brother.”
I shrug and let it drop, but I really doubt that’s the case. From what I’ve heard, Cormac Whelan’s a straight-out psychopath. All the Whelan brothers are tough, streetwise criminals, but Cormac’s by far the bloodiest and the worst. I’ve heard people say he can kill anyone, anywhere, and particularly revels in strangling his victims so he can watch the light leave their faces. It’s creepy as hell, and I don’t need to be told twice to keep my distance from the guy.
Once we’re out front, I do my best to push Cormac from my mind. Down at the small front gate bordering the sidewalk, three men are waiting. One’s older, graying hair, sharp blue eyes, and hard wrinkles. He’s tall and lean. Definitely the father, Padraig. He comes through the gate, ignoring the guards that lurk nearby, and approaches Adriano with a hard and confident air about him.
“Good to finally see you in person, Don Marino,” he says as they shake hands.
“I feel like we’ve met a dozen times considering how much we’ve spoken recently.” Adriano comes off as warm and intelligent, but he’s got an edge to him too. “And please, call me Adriano.”
“Of course. This must be your sister, Bianca.” He shakes my hand next. His skin is callused and tough. “Good to meet you. This is my youngest son, Finn.”
He gestures toward a man standing just behind him. Finn’s got boyish good looks, tannish skin, sandy brown hair, and a cocky smirk. He’s decent looking, but not really my type at all. I smile, uncomfortable, and nod to him.
“Nice to meet you,” I say softly.
“You too.” He laughs, and it’s surprisingly warm. “God, this is awkward as fuck, right? I mean, we’re getting married.”
I try to smile back, but I’m already looking past him toward the third man.
Cormac hangs back from his father and his brother. He’s more muscular than Finn, thicker and heavier, with the predatory grace of a killer. His black hair is cut short, and his thick black eyebrows frame light blue eyes like his father’s. He’s got a square jaw and a small nose, and staring at him makes my heart suddenly race. Where Finn’s boyish and soft, Cormac’s a bundle of steel wires and sharp knives.
