Luca

2 - Who will be my husband?

Sofia

This place is enormous, and I mean on a country mansion scale. This isn’t the place I’ll be living once I’m married, or so my father told me. This house is where Papa brought me so I could meet my future husband.

Papa is forcing me to marry Don Draven Vidal’s son. I have no idea which son I’ll be marrying, Dray or Luca, but I do know that I don’t want to do this. Papa doesn’t care about any of that; he didn’t even care when I asked him what would happen if the Don’s son didn’t like the look of me.

I mean, what if he hurts me because he resented the fact that he was also forced to marry?

Papa told me that it’s just business and I’ll need to learn to deal with it. I must learn quickly to be my new husband’s submissive. Men like the Vidal’s like their women to be seen and not heard.

And in the bedroom?

A woman is to cater to their every whim and desire, no questions asked.

In other words, once I’m married, I am no longer my father’s problem. Roberto Romano is old-school Italian. He’s an underground criminal, once a wiseguy to Don Conti of Texas. When Don Conti’s organization disbanded, most ended up in prison, and my father moved us to Tennessee. Here, he built his own empire and made many enemies in the trade of people trafficking. He’s also drawn the attention of Don Vidal. I had thought the Don would put an end to my father’s dealings, but it seems as though the Don wants an alliance – meaning I have to marry one of his sons.

Papa said he believes the Don will marry me off to Dray. Dray is heir to the Vidal Crime Famiglia, and taking a wife who knows her place will be good for him. I really hope that’s not true because I’ve heard the stories about the kind of man Dray Vidal is. Being married to him would be a fate worse than death!

I don’t want to do this, but Papa gave me no choice. He doesn’t care if my future husband beats me or cheats on me. When I’m married, I am to do as I’m told, and like it, no matter what that entails. Once I am married, there is no way out unless it’s in a pine box. Divorce is out of the question, and if I dare embarrass my father, what he’ll do to me will leave me six feet under. No joke.

“Now, listen to me,” I look at my six-six-year-old father as I stand beside him at the Vidal mansion front door. I’m scared of what’s to come, but I’m trying not to show it. I cannot mess this up; my father will literally kill me if I dare. “Speak only when spoken to and not a moment before. When you’re introduced to whichever son Vidal has chosen for you, Dray, more than likely, act happy. Vidal questions, once your commitment and this whole thing falls apart, I promise you’ll wish you’d never been born. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Papa,” I answer immediately.

He nods once and rings the doorbell. A woman in her forties answers the door and introduces herself as Olga. She leads us inside, takes our coats, and hangs them on a fancy coat hook. She then leads us down a long marble hallway that looks as though it cost tens of thousands of dollars, and we come to a stop outside a massive oak door.

I stare at that door for a moment; it’s beautiful, carved with cherubs and ornate leaves. This house is gorgeous, and I am in awe.

The house I live in is big and expensive-looking, but nothing like the Vidal’s mansion. This is something I have never experienced and am never likely to again. I feel as though I were back in Rome, looking at all the amazing buildings my homeland has to offer.

I look down at what I’m wearing – a red cocktail dress and red heels that my father forced me to wear. My hair is loose and lightly curled on Papa’s orders. I can see now, looking around this place, just why he wanted me to dress like this. I only hope I look good enough to interest the man I’m going to marry.

I’m still a virgin, and I’m terrified of what is going to happen to me. I know the reputation of the Vidal twins, and I’m scared of what they may do to me. I’ve never seen the Vidal twins in person, but I’ve seen pictures of Dray and Luca. They are physically identical in every way. I’ve met identical twins before, and there were slight differences, but not with the Vidal twins. I can’t deny how handsome they looked in those photographs, and I can imagine they will be even more so in real life.

Dray has a reputation for being a ladies’ man, one who takes no s**t from anyone. You cross him, you die, simple. Luca, however, doesn’t have the same reputation. It’s not documented that he sleeps around, nor that he has a short fuse like his brother. Luca is a shrewd businessman, a billionaire of his own making, and he has a heart of gold. That sounds so strange when Luca is the son of a dangerous Mafia Don, but that’s the word on the street. How true that is is yet to be determined.

What if I am to marry Dray?

The one I know won’t give a damn about me?

My father would prefer that because it would mean I’d be tortured for the rest of my life. Just as he tortures me. Papa would never want me to have an easy life, never mind a happy one.

Dray would fuc.k me stupid as though I’m nothing to him. He would cheat on me, probably beat the hell out of me, and take away all of my choices. I’ll be nothing to Dray; my life would mean nothing. That’s harsh of me to say and even think, but I can’t think any other way.

Deep breaths, Sofia. Plaster on a smile, speak only when spoken to, and be grateful to have been chosen to marry the Don’s son. Many women would kill to be in your position, though they’d have to have a screw loose. Because, as handsome as Dray Vidal is, looks aren’t everything, especially when you have a reputation as a monster!

Olga smiles. “Mr. Vidal is waiting for you. Go right through.”

Papa opens the door and walks on ahead of me, greeting the Don like an old friend. I follow Papa inside with my head down. I don’t want to look at anyone just yet. God, I feel as though I’m going to be sick!

“So, this is Sofia?” I look up at the Don, and he’s smiling at me. He’s incredibly handsome for a man of his age, and he’s aged well. I can see where his sons get their looks from. “It’s nice to meet you, Sofia.”

“You too, Don Vidal,” I say quietly.

I feel Papa tense beside me. He’s not happy with my lack of enthusiasm. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, but my voice wouldn’t come out any louder.

If the Don noticed, he didn’t say anything. “This is my wife, Marnie, your future mother-in-law.”

Marnie stares at me, and I can already see that she doesn’t like the look of me and doesn’t want this for her son. My stomach turns over, and I feel sick. Papa will kill me if I don’t make a good impression on the Don’s wife. If this marriage isn’t allowed to go ahead, I won’t live to see tomorrow. I might not want to do this, but I’m not ready to die yet, either.

How ridiculous is that?

I live a life of hell, and death would end the torment. But somewhere inside of me, I have hope that one day, I’ll be free. Wishful thinking, I know.

“My eldest daughter couldn’t make it today, but you’ll meet her soon. Lydia’s twin sister, Amber, is upstairs with her nurse. She isn’t here to greet you yet because Amber can be a little excitable when meeting new people.”

I remember Papa telling me that the Don has a daughter with Down Syndrome, and that I am to be respectful whenever Amber is mentioned. Pity he wouldn’t do the same when we’re home. People with any disability make Papa sick – he’s vile like that. I treat all people the same way. I don’t share his views, but I don’t dare to voice my opinion to my father. If I tried, Papa would cut my tongue out of my head. No lie.

“These are my son’s, Dray and Luca.” The Don points to his son’s.

My heart is hammering away in my chest. I don’t know which is which twin, but one rolls his eyes in disgust, and the other looks directly at me with a smirk on his face. He’s so handsome, tall, well-built, but not in a steroid-taking wrestler kind of way. His dark eyes and dark hair make his tanned skin shine. My knees are suddenly shaking, and not through fear.

Is this man going to be my husband?

Let’s hope it’s not the other one, Sofia. If looks could kill, his stare would have you dead on the ground by now.

“It’s nice to finally meet you all,” Papa says in his too-sweet tone, which I can tell is sarcastic.

My eyes haven’t left the man staring at me yet, and his haven’t left me. It’s strange because I never look directly at men as a rule, but I can’t seem to help myself with this man. I’m tingling all over with the power of his stare.

“I’d like to introduce you, young men, to my daughter,” Papa says. “This is Sofia, my youngest. I hope she’s to your liking?”

God, I think I’m going to vomit!

Neither man answers Papa. The Don is already offering us a seat, and he also offers Papa a drink. I’m not old enough to drink alcohol at the age of twenty, but I turn down the offer of juice. If I drink anything right now, I’ll vomit, and Papa would never be pleased.

Everyone talks among themselves for about half an hour about business. I don’t understand any of it, so I tune it out. It takes this long for the Don to decide to put me out of my misery. He finally tells us it’s time to introduce me to my future husband.

“I’m confident that you’re going to be very happy with my son, Sofia. He’s a good man who will treat you...”

“I don’t like this,”

I swallow hard and look at Marnie through my lashes. She cut her husband off, and he seems utterly frustrated. But there’s no denying Marnie looks beyond annoyed with the Don.

“We’ve been through this, Marnie.”

“Yes, and I’ve repeatedly told you how I feel, but you won’t listen to me!”

Oh, God. I feel so uncomfortable being here. Papa is sticking his two cents in as always, though he isn’t yelling or being disrespectful, just trying to win the Don’s wife around. I wish he wouldn’t because the Don looks as though he might shoot him in the head any second. This is going to end badly for me, I just know it is. Either way, Papa is going to cause me some permanent damage before the day is out.

I worry my lower lip between my teeth while looking at the twins. They’re heatedly whispering about something. The one who makes me tingle is doing most of the talking. The other one looks agitated, but he nods at whatever his brother is saying.

“I’m fine with this!” The tingle twin speaks loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear and stop talking. Everyone stares at him, and the Don’s eyes are narrowed in confusion. “It might not be what you want for me, Mother, but I’m a big boy now.”

“Luca, what the hell are you doing?” The Don seems angry all of a sudden.

“What you wanted, Father,” he folds his arms across his suit-clad chest. “Introducing myself to my future wife.” This is the man I’m going to marry, Luca, the nice twin. I’m secretly thanking God it wasn’t Dray who was chosen.

“Get up,” Papa hisses toward me.

Slowly, I get to my feet, and I swallow hard. I’m sweating like crazy. I’m too hot, and I need some air before I pass out.

“It’s nice to meet you, Sofia. I’m Luca,” I take his outstretched hand, and the sparks that fly through my body obviously flow through his too. I can see it in his eyes and the way they just dilated.

I swallow hard before answering. “Nice to meet you, too, Luca.”

His grip on my hand tightens for a second before letting go.

Luca turns to his father. “I’m sure you have business to discuss. So, if there are no objections, I’d like to take Sofia to the garden, so that we can talk and get to know one another a little.”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea.” Papa grabs my arm. “Remember what I told you, Sofia,” I nod my head because it’s not as though I could forget what he threatened me with if I mess up. “Be respectful, and remember, you are a lady.”

“Yes, Papa.”

“You have thirty minutes, Luca. Then, we have things to talk about.”

Luca tips his head in his father’s direction.

I don’t know what’s going on there, but something doesn’t feel right. It feels as though the Don is angry with Luca over something involving me. I only hope Marnie can be persuaded to allow this wedding to go ahead. I don’t want to think about what will happen to me if she refuses.