Page 37 of Captured Innocence

She turned toward me and I shivered, my heart broken. “Mattia.”

CHAPTER 12

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

—Audrey Hepburn

Mattia

I’d known beauty before, including seeing my mother as a young child. I’d thought her the most beautiful creature in the world. But her exterior beauty had faded along with the light in her eyes and that had left her a shell of a woman. I’d been too young to understand initially, acting as cavalier in some regards about women as my father had. But with her death, a seed had been planted, only I hadn’t realized what it meant or how it would affect my life.

Maybe I still didn’t.

However, as I stood with a drink in my hand, watching Roberto Lazarro parade both of his daughters in front of every eligible man, I’d realized just how incensed I’d become. Enraged. Sophia was a creature of beauty and innocence, but her flesh and blood had already actively sought bids for her hand in marriage.

It took all I had not to overreact.

She was a girl who’d grabbed at everything inside of me, the good and bad, the wants and needs, her presence keeping me hostage in the palm of her hand. And she had no idea that the passion we’d shared had awakened a beast. Sadly, I’d need to be patient a bit longer.

After the discussion with my father, I’d laid out a plan of my own that would require patience, something I wasn’t good at but was necessary if I wanted to rule.

Taking actions into my own hands wouldn’t do either Sophia or me any good at this point in time. I had to continue being prudent, planning out how I would handle the situation carefully, although I certainly wasn’t considered a man of practicality or discretion. Would I be able to stay away from her for two years? Doubtful. However, first, I had to gather information regarding the recent threats from the other members of the Five Families.

That would give me a better idea of who would use her as a weapon against me if possible.

Seeing her again had made certain decisions more difficult. She’d never agree to stay in Italy let alone accept a marriage proposal now. But if a hefty deposit was made now, perhaps I could convince her father to take her off the market. Then I would send two of my men to remain with her until she turned twenty-one. That was a fair compromise. Plus, I could indulge in her any time I wanted. Hmmm… not a bad idea in my mind.

I took a deep breath, holding it as Sophia darted a glance in my direction. She was tense, which was understandable, yet I sensed something else was wrong, although I wasn’t able to put my finger on what.

“What a pleasure to see you, Mattia. How is your father? Well, I hope.”

I turned my head toward Giuseppe Romano, the Don of Sicily considered a true savage. The truth was he more likely hoped my father would succumb to illness or worse. I smiled and lifted my drink, nodding out of respect as I’d been trained to do. “He’s doing well, thank you. And your son?” Antonio would soon enough take over Giuseppe’s throne, although it would seem at this point the aging man had no desire to retire.

He chuckled. “An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, now does it?”

Keeping my smile, I nodded then scanned the room outside Roberto’s office where the members of the Five Families had been sanctioned. There were at least three hundred people at the party, Sophia’s father pulling out all the stops to cater a glorious affair. I wondered who he thought he was fooling. There were men here who’d created issues for all of us, including judges and prosecutors. What in God’s name was Sophia’s father attempting to do?

And why didn’t the other Dons seem concerned given their presence?

It was apparent my father had known about the guest list. It was also apparent that he’d planned on forcing a marriage of convenience. Why now? Had he cooked something up with Roberto Lazarro behind the other members of the famiglia? Knowing my father, it was more than just possible.

I’d heard more than once through the illustrious Italian grapevine that Roberto’s holdings were dwindling, certain bad business decisions creating a hardship. Only Lucia’s powerful holdings on the diamond empire in the States had kept him afloat. It must be difficult having your daughter handle a significant portion of the business. If our families combined, the powerful hold could be a crushing blow to the remaining territories. Maybe my father was more cunning than I’d given him credit for.

“I’m surprised he sent you,” Don Rizzo from the northeast corner of Italy said with a smug look on his face. “No offense, of course. I know you’re busy with business of your own. From what I understand, you’re doing very well for yourself.”

“No offense taken, Giuseppe and yes, business had kept me from attending various events,” I told him, calling him by his first name a slight. “I am surprised at the guest list tonight myself.” I studied his expression, noting that there was no sense of disturbance in it.

“Yes, well, Roberto has no issue showing off his… assets.”

“As the heir to my father’s throne, it’s important that I share in every aspect of my father’s business, including handling threats when necessary. Is there something I should know?”

“Ah, so you’re aware of why we are meeting,” Don Rizzo piped in.

“To a point. However, I wasn’t expecting such an illustrious guest list.” My answer was short as my patience was waning.

“Don’t worry about the guests, Mattia,” Don Romano recommended.

“It would seem your father is turning over a new leaf,” Don Caldone offered seconds later, laughing along with the other men. With Don Lazarro yet to join us, the reason for our meeting had yet to be disclosed, although I gathered it was about everyone’s concern over an unknown enemy.

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