Page 3 of Pride

“Bella,” my dad’s voice calls from the study, making me freeze. “Come and join me.”

My stomach churns, as he rarely wants to talk to me alone. Normally, it’s my brother he asks to join him in his study for after-dinner drinks.

Nina looks as concerned as me as I exchange glances with her.

I stand and flatten out my dress, clearing my throat in an attempt to stall.

“Someone’s in trouble,” Luciana teases.

I glare at my youngest sister. “I’m never in trouble.”

Cain gives me a chilling look. “That’s what you think.”

I try to ignore the two of them, knowing they’re probably messing around. However, I can’t shake the feeling that they know something I don’t.

“Bella, don’t make me wait,” he calls.

I walk out of the dining room and into the adjoining study, my heart racing. My father is sitting on the sofa with a glass of scotch in his hand and theWashington Postspread across his lap.

“What do you want?” I ask.

His jaw clenches at the tone of my voice. “Take a seat.” He signals to the spot next to him.

There’s another tumbler of scotch on the table, which he reaches for and passes to me. “Join me for a drink.”

Something is off as he doesn’t usually give me drinks. I take the glass, but I can’t help but feel paranoid about his intentions. Narrowing my eyes, I take a sip. “What’s this about?”

He clears his throat and is about to speak when my mother’s shrill voice cuts him off.

“Where is Giovanni? Giovanni Benedetto, answer me.”

He sighs heavily. “I’d hoped to avoid having your mother here for this conversation.” He gives her a pointed look as she walks into the study. “I told you not to interupt us, dear.”

I can feel irritation growing, as he’s being cryptic. “And what conversation is that?”

“We need you to do your duty for this family.”

“Duty?” I question, feeling a little queasy.

He nods. “Yes, I want you to select a husband from a few eligible men from powerful families that we’ve vetted.” The cold look in my dad’s eyes makes me shudder. I know that this means he won’t back down on this. He wants me to select a criminal heir to be forcefully married off to, trying to make me think I have any choice in the matter.

“Why me?” After all, Nina is their eldest daughter. “What about Nina?”

“Don’t be so ridiculous, Bella,” my mom says.

Dad holds a hand up to my mom to shut her up. “Darling, please stay out of this.” And then he looks at me. “You know your sister is in no mental state to be married to anyone.”

My sister struggles with depression and has tried to take her life more than once, but she’s been doing better lately. It’s not a surprise she is the way she is. My parents weren’t exactly careful to shield her from the horrors of my dad’s work. “No, but I’m not marrying some thug from another mob.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Forget it.”

My mom practically turns beet red. “Isabella, you’ll listen to your father and marry whichever man he tells you to.” It makes me more agitated that she’s sticking her nose in. Dad’s right, it would have been a better conversation without her involved.

I glare at Mom, wishing she wasn’t like this. Even though my dad can be cold and violent and ruthless, at least he has more compassion than her. She’s narcissistic and self-centered and only cares about the family’s image and wealth. “I’d like to see you make me do anything.”

She charges toward me. “How dare you speak to me like that!” Her hand raises and I know what’s coming next, but then Dad is there before she can strike, grabbing her wrist and yanking her away.

Mom glares at him. “Giovanni, talk some sense into your daughter,” she cries.

His reaction is swift as he yanks her toward the door of his office. “I told you I didn’t want you present for this discussion.” He squares his shoulders and looms over her, asserting his dominance as the head of the family. “Leave us, so that I can discuss this business with Bella, alone.”

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