Mafia Lord Lover

CHAPTER 2 It's A Good Match

　　Francesca

　　"Let's plan the wedding for next month."

　　"Marriage?" I screamed. No, no, no. I should go to college first. My mother made my father promise that all three of his daughters would be educated before marriage. I was counting on it. "What marriage?"

　　"Quiet, Francesca," my father snapped.

　　I looked at my cousin, hoping for answers, but Dante wouldn't meet my eyes. Which meant this was bad. Really bad. Normally, he relished my misery.

　　One of Ravazzani's men entered and leaned in to speak in his ear. The corner of Ravazzani's mouth quirked as he listened, then he waved the man away. Turning his attention to my father, he said, "No. The wedding will be at my house in Siderno, where Giulio lives. We leave tomorrow."

　　Giulio? And wait, Siderno? Like in Italy?

　　What the f**k was going on?

　　The lines deepened on my father's forehead. "But me and my family? We have the right to..."

　　Stiffening, Ravazzani looked at my father, and the atmosphere in the room turned arctic. "Be very, very careful, Roberto," he said softly.

　　"You lost your rights when you lost my shipment."

　　Damn.

　　No one moved, and the moment stretched. I'd never seen anyone put my father in his place before. No one had ever dared. I held my breath until my father finally held up his hands. "My dispiace," he apologized.

　　This seemed to appease Ravazzani, but I still had no idea what they were talking about. "Can someone tell me what's going on?" I blurted, unable to contain myself any longer.

　　Ravazzani moved quickly, approaching, until he towered over me. His irises were so blue, with hints of gray, but they didn't look angry. Instead, he looked amused. "You have spirit. That's good. You'll need it, Piccolina. "

　　Walking around me, he went to the door, followed by five of his men. "I'll wait for you ready, Mancini," he called over his shoulder.

　　Anger burned in my chest. Was I expected to be ready? Like baggage? No one was taking me to Italy. I was going to college in New York, not marrying a creepy Italian who was definitely in the mafia.

　　When the door closed, I turned to my father. "Papa, what is this?"

　　He dragged his hand down his face and slumped in his chair. Uncle Reggie and Dante didn't move, but the rest of my father's men filed out of the room. "Sit down, Frankie."

　　"I'd rather not. I'd rather stay until I know what's going on."

　　Papa slammed his hand down on the surface of his desk. "For God's sake, do as I say!"

　　I hated it when he spoke to me so coldly, as if I were one of his men. Dante shook his head, clearly indicating he thought I was an i***t, and Uncle Reggie wore his usual scowl. Pushing away the pain and confusion, I slid into a chair. "There. Now, please explain what's going on."

　　"You've been chosen to marry the Ravazzani heir, Giulio. It's a good match, Frankie. An honor, truly."

　　"An honor?" I looked at the man who promised I'd get a college degree before marriage. Who said I could have my choice of husband. Empty lies. Every single one. "Absolutely not. I'm not marrying a stranger in Italy. I don't want a mafia husband. I'm going to college in the fall."

　　My father's face hardened into a frightening expression, one I'd never seen before. I suspected it was the face of 'ndrina, the mafia leader who did terrible things without remorse. "You will do as you're told, or people will die. People in this family. Is that what you want?"

　　The threat hung in the air between us, and I thought of my twin sisters upstairs, sleeping and trusting. Unaware that I was being forced to choose a life that didn't want to guarantee their safety. There's no choice. I would do anything for them.

　　Even though I was only two years older, I was the one who took care of them after my mother's death. I taught them about boys and menstruation. I helped them buy bras. I dried their tears and managed their screen time. The backs of my eyelids began to burn. "Why is this happening?"

　　"Alliances through marriage are part of our world. There's nothing anyone can do to prevent it. I hope you do your duty and make Giulio happy."

　　I pressed my hand to my stomach, trying to ease the sudden cramp in my gut. How had my future changed so drastically? "But you promised," I said weakly, fighting back tears.

　　Her expression remained unchanged. "My promises to the 'Ndrangheta come first. Now, don't dishonor me. This is an opportunity for us to gain more power through your husband's family. Ravazzani is one of the richest men in Italy, head of one of the largest clans, the 'ndrina that bears his name."

　　Power. Fortune. Was that all anyone cared about? I rubbed my eyes, not caring if I smudged my mascara. "That's not fair."

　　"Grow up, Frankie," Dante sneered. "Ravazzani is one of the highest-ranking men in the entire 'Ndrangheta. You're going to marry his son, who will one day inherit everything. Any woman in our circle would kill for that chance."

　　"f**k you, Dante. I don't want to marry a boss," I snapped. "I want to go to college and get a degree. Like I was promised."

　　College meant freedom from my father and his men. It meant living in New York and going to clubs and bars, dating boys, and drinking too much. I would study and have a career and live a normal life before I had to get married.

　　It was everything my mother wanted for her daughters.

　　Be your own woman, Francesca. Don't make my mistakes.

　　She was one of Italy's top models before meeting and marrying my father. Although their marriage was initially a love match, she said she always regretted giving up her career for him.

　　"Stop," my father said. "You're acting childishly. It's been decided. Go upstairs and pack your things. I expect you to be ready tomorrow morning."

　　"But..."

　　"Not another word, Francesca. You're dating Faust Ravazzani, and that's final."

　　I pressed my lips together and stood up. The men said nothing as I left, thinking I'd agreed. That I'd willingly cross an ocean and marry a man I didn't know, just because my father messed up some mysterious shipment.

　　They should know better.