Page 16 of Rise To Power

“If?” Marco smiled. “The two weeks is to plan the wedding. Then we’ll return to my home.”

“Good luck with that,” I said.

My mother never missed an opportunity to exploit her party planning prowess. The wedding would be on the scale of the Princess of Wales. Cake, dress, and the guest list to show off her daughter, the wife of Marco Bruno. My tummy tumbled with the thoughts in my head.

I’d be married to Marco, and he’d spend his time with the other women in his life. I pretended to be hardened, but inside, I was as soft as pudding. Sitting next to him, the scent of his cologne, the fit of his tux, the way his fingers held the knife teased me, and the way he brought his fork to those full, sensual lips had me drowning in wants.

Marco set his fork to the side. “I can compromise. Negotiations are part of any successful arrangement.”

Slipping back into a mask of indifference, an unladylike snort escaped my mouth and nose. “Please.” Mafia men didn’t compromise.

“That word doesn’t come easy to you.” He nodded to the server to take his plate.

I rolled my eyes. “Nothing has ever come easy for me.”

He leaned in, his lips a breath away from my ear, and his palm slid onto my thigh again. “That sounds like a challenge.”

***

I felt Marco’s stare as he chatted with my father and my brother. His presence sent a tingle along my spine, and an answering flutter deep in my stomach.

Deidre had slipped away with Orlando and Emilio. I wanted her to be careful, but part of me wanted her to find a little mischief, not enough to tarnish her princess tiara with Santi or our dad. But she needed fun and friends.

I sidled around the perimeter of the room. I smiled as I was congratulated on my engagement. Yes, my ring was stunning if I wanted to sink to the bottom of the lake.

Marco seemed to know exactly where I stood. He turned his head again, his eyes finding me. Antonio entered the room, crossed to Marco, and pulled him aside. They whispered words. He nodded once, then excused himself from my father and brother. As he crossed the room,goosebumps broke over my arms.

He headed out of the room with Antonio next to him. His gaze briefly connected with mine, and then he left, presumably for a private conversation.

I considered making my escape to my room but found myself following. My heart hiccupped. Yes, he was here to marry me, but only because he wanted vengeance.

I couldn’t stop my thoughts from turning to Knox and what it would mean to him for my future husband to wage war against the Irish.

I hated this. Hated knowing there was nothing I could do. Hoping I never had to choose between them.

My heels clicked on the tile as I searched for Marco. He wouldn’t risk having Antonio beneath my balcony again. I followed out to the patio and listened, staying in the shadow of the shrubs and bushes.

“Where are they?” Marco’s clipped voice sounded close.

“One minute they were here, and then they were gone.”

“I told him to leave the girl alone. What in the fuck is he thinking? Find him before I lose the support of Salvatore.”

The girl? I hiked up my dress and rushed as fast as I could in my heels.

Both men turned in my direction as I came around the corner of the greenery. “What’s wrong?”

“Fuck.” Marco scrubbed his fingers through his hair. He glanced over my shoulder. “We have a situation.”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Your sister is with my brother and Emilio. They’re together, but I don’t believe they’ve left the premises.”

“What do you mean together? She’s sixteen,” I stated. “That stupid girl.” A little tarnished. A little fun. She was impressionable, a jump first girl, especially with those two beautiful boys, full of testosterone. “What is Orlando thinking? She’s still a kid.”

Marco scanned the surroundings. “He wouldn’t fuck her.”

I narrowed my gaze on him. “I heard you earlier. We need to find them because Deidre is just like your brother. Whatever you want to convince me he wouldn’t do, Deidre would. And you should fear Santino more than my father. Santino won’t listen to reason.”

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