Page 29 of Forbidden Mafia Prince

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

DOM FOLLOWED HIS father into the other room, out of earshot of Luca, who didn’t move as he watched them go.

There was an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. The fact that his father had left the safety of his fortified home to come here to check on—and admonish—Dom didn’t sit well. If anything happened to Vincenzo, then that blood would be on Dom’s hands.

“An innocent,” his father said, turning to face him. “Caught up in the middle of this fray. The Fiores should be ashamed.”

“I doubt they ever expected to bring him into this life.”

“But to leave him so unprepared. And exposed.” Vincenzo tsked.

“So now that you’ve met him, what do you suggest we do with him?”

“For the moment, we wait.” Vincenzo narrowed his eyes. “And you’ll do what I say.”

Dom sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll stay here. Keep Luca hidden away.”

“Yes.”

“A fancy prison for us both, then.”

“My son.” Vincenzo put his hands on either side of Dom’s face. “I know this isn’t what you want. It’s not in your nature to let others take the fall for you. But when I’m gone, this is what you’ll face. You won’t be out there in the streets. The family needs a strong leader, and no one can rule like a Rossetti. It’s in your blood.”

Dom nodded. “I understand.”

“Yes,” his father said, giving him a small smile. “I think you do.” He dropped his hands from Dom’s face. “While we’re on the subject of you being my heir…”

“Oh no.” Dom knew what was coming, and it was worse than being stuck here for days on end.

“It’s past time to be thinking ofyours.”

“Here we go,” Dom muttered.

“I have a friend whose daughter I want you to meet.”

“Father—”

“She’s young, not quite twenty, but beautiful and quite smart, older than her years—”

“I don’t need—”

“She’s coming to town soon, and it’ll be the perfect time for you two to meet. I’ll arrange it.”

With a sigh, Dom squeezed the bridge of his nose. The last thing he wanted was an arranged marriage, even if he understood the why of it all. It wasn’t happening. Absolutely not.

“You know what’s expected of you,” Vincenzo said, his tone growing serious. “I’ve given you all the time in the world to do this your way, but you’re thirty-five now. It can’t be put off any longer.”

Dom had heard this lecture for years, feeling the pressure of the clock ticking down and the burden on his shoulders. He’d never expected he’d be a man who could marry for love the way his father had. Things were different now. With their status, there was more expectation, more for Dom to live up to. But this was one area in his life he’d been stubborn about, thelastarea he felt any real control over. If he allowed his father to set up this meeting, that would set off a chain reaction amongst their people, and once that happened, it would be difficult to pull back from.

“I hardly think this is the time for courtships and wedding bells, Father. I was shot today, remember?”

“Don’t get smart with me.” Vincenzo’s eyes fell to his son’s arm. “If anything, it’s a reminder that wedding bells are exactly what you need. You need a reminder that your life is important, that you have a legacy and name to carry on, and you can’t do that if you are shot dead on the FDR.”

Dom gritted his teeth, his father’s tone making it crystal clear he was not going to get out of this.

“But right now? I thought I was to stay locked up here in the gilded tower? How will that work? Is someone going to escort her up here for dinner with me and the kid? I’m sure that’ll go down well when he tells her he’s being held against his will.”

Vincenzo arched a brow. “The kid, huh? Is that how you see him?”

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