Page 26 of Bratva Bride

"I don't give a fuck what any of them think," Arturo stated with complete conviction.

"Nevertheless, I won't tolerate it. I will not be disrespected. Should any of your men do so, I hope you're prepared to lose them."

His eyes lit with fire, desire and lust rolling off him in waves. He clearly liked his women vengeful. "If any of my men disrespect you, there'll be nothing left of them by the time I'm finished."

"And the fact I'm not Italian?" I arched an eyebrow. "Will that not be a problem?"

"To some it may. But like I said, I don't give a fuck what they think."

I studied him for a few seconds before giving him a slight nod. I believed him. He didn’t strike me as the type of person to care about what other people think.

"There is one thing you should probably know before you agree," Arturo said hesitantly.

I locked eyes with him, curiosity flowing throughout my body. "What?"

"My father will be stepping down as head of the La Cosa Nostra as soon as we've dealt with Nero.”

Okaaaaaaay. That I had not expected. Alessandro was still young by mafia standards. He could continue to rule for at least another five to ten years before needing to step down. So why hand over the reins early?

"Why?" It was the only question I could ask.

"My father has ruled for a long time. He was only twenty-nine when my grandfather was murdered and he was made Don. He's ready to let go of his empire. Ready to move on in life with my mother." A sad smile formed on his face, like he was happy for his parents but sad to be losing his Don. "I'm ready to take over, it's what I've been raised for. What I've been training all my life for. However, one of his stipulations was that I was to be married beforehand. Don’t ask me why, I have no fucking idea. It was just one of his rules.”

Hang on a second.

My brain started working overtime, trying to find the right combination of words to express what was flying through my mind.

"Requesting a marriage between our families was an impulse decision, made by you. I saw when you spoke to Alessandro and then he put forth the proposal."

"Yes?" he asked, confused by my train of thought.

"So, if he was already planning to step down when this whole mess ended, you must have had a woman lined up to marry." I phrased it as a statement, but he answered like it was a question.

"Yes," he sighed. "There was a woman I was prepared to marry instead.”

I couldn't help the unbelievable jealousy I felt at his words. Fuck, I only met the dude today. I knew I had no right at all to be jealous but fuck I was.

“Who?” I asked, making sure to keep the jealousy out of my voice.

"Her name is Gabriella. She’s the daughter of one of the high-ranking men in thefamiglia.”

Eh, Gabriella. Bet the bitch is fucking gorgeous.

"So, she's a Cosa Nostra woman? Does that mean there's gonna be people pissed that you're marrying an outsider instead of her?"

Arturo shrugged. "There's always going to be someone who's mad about that. They'll get over it."

Maybe. But I highly doubt it. Depending on their level of anger, it could mean I've already gained enemies in a place where I would spend the rest of my life. Did I really want to move somewhere where I'd constantly be looking over my shoulder?

Another thought tore through my mind and I stiffened. “What kind of marriage will this be? A business one or a personal one?”

“What do you mean?”

“A business one means we’re husband and wife on paper, but not in real life. A personal one means that in every sense of the word, we’re husband and wife. That means loyalty, fidelity. I know Mafia men have the predilection to do whatever the fuck they like, including cheating on their partners. I won’t take that. You marry me and you’re mine. You don’t go sticking your dick in other bitches.”

He chuckled and tapped my nose. “So, just this bitch?”

“Yes.”

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