Page 6 of Vincenzo's Promise
This cannot be good.
“What are you doing here?” my father asked through a series of coughs. “We are in the middle of a family celebration.”
His coughing fits had gotten worse since the last time I’d been home, but everyone ignored me when inquiring about his health. I had my suspicions, whether they were upfront with me or not. His skin was paler, his body frailer, but when I mentioned anything to him about letting me examine him or take him to the doctor, he shrugged off my concern, calling me overprotective. I was when it came to him, but I was sure his health declining was due to disease.
I stood and poured him a glass of ice water from the pitcher at the center of the table. He took a sip and squeezed my hand in thanks. I kissed him on the cheek and returned to my seat next to him, never letting go of his hand.
The confusion in the stranger’s eyes was laughable but understandable. He must have thought I was my father’s mistress. Who else could I be? However, it was obvious he couldn’t reconcile that if I was a mistress, why I was at a family dinner with his son’s and their wives.
Who was I to explain anything to him about who I was and my presence at a Lombardo celebration? That was the responsibility of my father. He’d been the one to keep me a secret from everyone he associated with, so it was up to him to reveal who I was.
“Is that right?” the stranger asked, glaring at my father. “And what are we celebrating?”
It was obvious there was no love lost between the two men. It was like watching two lions fighting each other over control of a pride—both frightening and intriguing to watch.
“What my family is celebrating isn’t your concern.” He placed his silverware down and took a sip of wine. “Why are you here in my territory? I don’t remember giving you permission.”
“Like the permission your son failed to seek from me,” the man replied, and my father sighed. “With the situation we have, I was sure you wouldn’t mind me entering your territory to get this squared away, Cyrus. And with the predicament your son has placed you in, I’m surprised there’s anything to celebrate.”
“The world is full of surprises, Vincenzo. Are you here to ask something of me because if not, I would like to continue to dine with my family in peace.”
The man pulled out the seat vacated by one of my sisters-in-law and sat down across from me without anyone giving him permission. The other man remained standing, keeping an eye on everyone in the room.
“You can get back to your celebration, Cyrus, just as soon as we conclude our business. Or have you forgotten? I don’t like being ignored, and you’ve disregarded my request for a meeting three times.”
“How could I forget?” My father wiped his mouth with the white dinner cloth, then tossed it down on the table.
The stranger pulled his gaze from me to answer my father. “This little visit is all on you, Cyrus. You refused to meet with me on numerous occasions. I’ve given you more chances than I’ve given anyone and more than you deserve after what your son pulled. Now, I’m here in person, and that’s not so good for you. This is the last time I make the offer, Cyrus, and I want my answer now. No more delays, no more dodging. You know what happens if you refuse, and I would rather it not go down like that. No matter what you may think of me, I would like to conclude this matter peacefully.”
Like my father, this man exuded power and commanded the room. Everyone was on high alert. His chocolate, tousled hair, steel-grey eyes, and dark, tanned complexion captivated me. The stranger looked to be a few years older than me and incredibly attractive. He couldn’t keep his eyes off me, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off him. He was beautifully dangerous, although I was sure his fascination with me had nothing to do with attraction.
“I have no ill will toward you, Vincenzo, and you are definitely your father’s son, De Maio.” My father smirked when the man lifted his brow, questioning the comparison. “Impatient as ever. We were just discussing your proposition.”
This was the man who wanted to marry me.
Relief hit me instantly. I’d expected some overweight man with too much jewelry and not enough hair. Not the man sitting in front of me. Not that looks were everything, but at least he wasn’t old, disgusting, and wanting a hot wife for arm candy.
“We?”Vincenzotilted his head at my father, laughing. “Why would there be any need for a discussion? It is up to you, not your daughter or anyone else. You are the leader of the Scuderi’s, aren’t you?”
I stiffened, and his eyes narrowed with my reaction. He was bartering for my life as if I were nothing. Of course, I had a say in what happened, but I would do what needed to be done to save my father and my brothers.
“The decision affects my daughter just as much as it affects me and my sons, De Maio.” My father leaned back in his chair. “So yes, she has a say. She’s only recently gotten into town, and we were discussing the issue before you so rudely interrupted.”
He looked between Cyrus and me before settling his focus on my father again. “And where is your lovely daughter, Cyrus, since you feel she has a say in this decision? Shouldn’t we all be sitting down discussing my proposal to unite our families? It is what’s best for all of us, don’t you think?”
“More so for you, Vincenzo, than me.” My father pointed at Vincenzo. “I know what you want, and I’m not opposed to a marriage between you and my daughter so you can have it, because of the situation. However, we have to go about this carefully.”
Vincenzo raised a brow in confusion. He didn’t understand what my father meant, but I did. It was the reason he’d kept me hidden from men, like the one sitting across from me.
“I’m sorry, Cyrus, but I don’t understand your riddles or have time to decode them. This is the way it’s been done for generations. So, an arranged marriage between your daughter and me isn’t out of the ordinary, despite our organizational differences. Let’s seal the deal, or not. This is your last chance. I want an answer now.”
I looked at my father and forced a smile on my face, one I knew he could see through. Although I wasn’t happy about being pawned off to some man I didn’t know, I put on a brave face despite my feelings. It needed to be done.
He squeezed my hand. “She’s right here. Bella, meet Vincenzo De Maio, the Boss of the De Maio clan. De Maio, meet my beautiful daughter, Isabella Lombardo.”
Clan?
Vincenzo’s eyes widened when he looked at me, disbelief written all over his beautiful face. The man did everything but gasp. If I hadn’t been so offended by the way he looked at me like I was some experiment gone wrong, I would have laughed.
