Page 53 of Devious Vows

Chapter Twenty-Three

GAVINO

I’ve waited nearly three weeks for this moment. I thought about it many times, considered not going through with it, but in the end it all came down to one thing.

Beverly was meant to be mine.

And this secured that.

My father smiles at me from across the table, crossing his hands as he leans back in his seat. Geo Esposito leans against the wall, his eyes narrowing marginally at what I’ve just asked. He waits to speak, though, knowing he has to wait to hear my father’s thoughts.

“I say it may be a good match, don’t you, Geo?” he finally says, his eyes leaving me to fall on his consigliere.

“To be frank, Boss, I’m still a bit bitter about the last arrangement we made,” Geo says, moving from the wall to grab his drink from where it was resting on the fireplace mantel. “Not to mention you threatened to kill my son a few weeks ago.”

“And here I thought we moved past it,” my father jokes, leaning forward to grab his own drink. “We both know Remy wasn’t going to let that happen, it was for show. Be serious now, Geo. What are your thoughts with my son’s proposal?”

He eyes me, answering, “Gavino is an illegitimate heir. He lacks power within the organization; he lacks authority. I don’t find him to be worthy of Beverly.”

My heart thumps with each reason, my hands clenching where they’re held behind my back.

He continues, setting his glass back down, “Besides, I have been talking to Maximo Di Salvo about pairing his son Stefano with her.”

“The boy that runs the warehouses on the East Side?” my father asks, and Geo nods. “He would do good by her. But I will say, give Gavino some credit where it is due, he is still my son.”

Geo just grunts, both of them acting as if I’m not standing before them. Seeing my chance slip through my fingers, I clear my throat, drawing their attention again. “I forgot to mention that Beverly’s innocence can no longer be traded. She lost it to Remy prior to their arranged marriage.”

They both go silent.

My father’s brow rising the only indication he heard what I said while Geo’s eyes scream murder.

“You’re lying,” Geo finally says, the words gritted through his teeth.

I shake my head, my gaze moving to my father’s so he can see the truth in my face. “I’m not. I was witness to the aftermath myself.”

“Then why didn’t you tell us then?” my father asks casually, waving a hand in Geo’s direction to keep him in place when he takes a step toward me.

“At the time, it didn’t seem necessary to cause distress between the families when she and Remy were set to be married anyway,” I answer coolly, the look of nonchalance on my face at odds with my racing pulse.

“And why didn’t you inform us once the wedding was called off?” Geo yells, the only reason he hasn’t assaulted me at this point because of my father.

“There was already tension between the two families, it didn’t seem like a good time to mention it.” My tongue runs over my teeth, my blood pumping as I wait for my father to speak.

He takes a drink of his glass instead while Geo grinds his teeth.

“Di Salvo won’t accept your offer without Beverly’s innocence secured,” he finally says, his eyes landing on Geo. “Gavino is a Luciano, whether you accept it or not. Beverly’s transgression will go silent and she will maintain your family’s name if she marries him.”

Geo’s mouth works like he’s chewing on cud, cheeks red with anger. “Fine.” His eyes cut to me and then back. “My one term is that Remy is punished. And I get to serve it.”

My father shrugs, waving a dismissive hand toward him, “Fine, put him on pier duty until next spring or something.”

“He stole my daughter’s virginity and you think pier duty is enough?” Geo all but yells, smacking his hand on the mantel.

I stay silent over the exchange, not wanting to ruin this arrangement for myself. Geo and my father’s underboss, Franco, are the only two men I know that could get away with speaking to my father the way Geo just has.

“You’re right, Geo, I shouldn’t have disrespected your family that way,” my father eventually says, reaching into his desk to grab a cigar. He hands one to Geo who takes it with a narrowed gaze. “Just as long as you don’t kill him, you can punish him how you see fit. He is the future Capo Famiglia, after all.”

I watch as they light their cigars, perfumed smoke billowing around the room. My silence is finally rewarded by my father’s attention. “Granted, Gavino. You will marry Beverly Esposito by spring.”

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