Cruel Intentions

JAN

cold disapprov

us, which didn't give me much time for a repl

s part of my bridal flowers. Eventually, Dad had

ers. Next time I send you somethin

ettled. He'd given an order and naturally expected me to obey. There was no dou

e. "Look happy, Alejandra," she whispered. "Don't you realize how lucky you are? I'd have never t

ch a strok

Mancini had died, leaving two small children behind? That I

y harder to look happy. Don't ruin this for u

him. He and I had always been closer, but recently my res

ulled back, searching my face. His guilt and wor

ciates your beauty

blue eyes, but his were clouded and his impressive size was diminished by the fact that he supported his weight on a cane. Damion's mother was elegant and beautiful with dark blond hair pulled up into a perfect

ing dinner. Damion didn't talk to me, only to his

nd and intimidated me only more. Considering that I'd have to share a bed with him

y way. Sharp cheekbones, a strong jaw, and the dark stubble. I'd never se

rising me. I hadn't said much to her yet. We were strangers, despite

have noticed me staring at Damion. I couldn

is summer, right

mile. "Yes. I thought I

d to marry

is out of the question," I said quietly. My mother would have had a heart attack if she

busy raising his kids,

clue about kids. I'd read countless articles about raising kids in the last four months, but reading and

be fine. I live close by. I can

o small kids of your own with a third on the way. You'l

han I did. Or maybe he'd just

idn't talk back to him. My

g me to the center of the ballroom. The guests gathered around it, watching. My smile was i

um. Right now we were casual acquaintances at best. Damion led me over the dance floor without a hitch, sure in his leadership

bling?" Damion as

es. Did he really not know? "

dy obeys yo

to choose your words more carefully in pub

is chest, the smile st

to my ear as the danc

stood,

king what was wrong, but I really didn't see any reason to tell him. There was nothing he could do, nothing he would do. Mom's

turn," Ta

. I rarely saw him anymore since he'd moved out five years ago at eighteen. Unlike many sons from

nd had gone to work under the Morettis. "It's s

terse no

that I'll live in the

his head. "Not

being marri

cing with one of his sisters a good dista

e he's

sive laugh. "That's on

e I'd found out I'd marry Damion. Asking that kind of question over

lux, and Damion kn

nd

f them died shortly after

t. My vision was starting to tunnel. "Dad said

nly a matter of time before others will try to have him removed. With Damion in the family, people will hesi

to be part of, but without my own doing,

mion the last few years

kered with regret. "I sho

e, please. I need to prepare myself."

control. Few men in our circles are as well respected as him. He's the best Underboss

brother to get involved. Tarique was a brave man, and he'd be a good Underboss one day, bu

to hel

o do to make this ma

?" Our dance ended, and he fell silent, h

d do and if I'd find time to finish a painting. Today, I had to worry about how to please a hus

hing more than to find a quiet corner to get

r slinked away after a curt nod

f dancing with the bride?" "Of course,

ease. We're

work with his cane. He smiled wistfully. "We'll have to da

ed his cane to a man I didn't know and lightly to

rom what I hear, you'

given him that piece of informatio

e began as if he could read my mind, which freaked me out. "I know he'll rule over Philadelphia without trouble

tion dictated that I pretend I wasn't unsettled by my husband, but that woul

on to respect women, and f

ear like someone who would lose control like that, but he had earned his reputation as one of th

led. The song ended and we stopped our swaying. Logan stood with his last dance partner

"If I ever tire of life, I'll ask for that

ed, I stare

on, let's head b

oward the table where Damion was still conversing with Pho

e with family, but please refrain from approaching oth

that indicated he was joking. He

I'll fr

I wanted to run. With a small smile, I turn

rted corridor where I leaned against the wall and slowly sa

ould be a scandal for which Mom would never forgive

ptions, when steps echoed down the hall. With my dress, I di

my way with a look of concern. She surprised me when she san

icult man, Alejan

with. It was the character traits