Marriage For Convenience

EST

weather in Atlanta had been so much warmer. My fingers were stiff as I settled them on the piano keys and began to play. Melancholic low notes of music

living room, perfectly style

r head, I lifted my hands off the keys

r. He was a tall man, heavy ar

hey exchanged a look and someth

e a word with y

ting area. They sat on the couch, and I took the armchai

s into the leather of the armchair. It wasn't the first time I heard it, but it

hispers of society ... No. Never that. I was grateful anyway. I knew how important outward

d it's time for you to have your

blank. Over the years I'd learned to hide

dding and marriage would be a low-key affair, no attention, little potential for scandal. A soldier might see me as a way to impro

n shame. Altair cleared his throat. "I know you aren't aware

ught up with the knowledge that we had to be vigilant becau

e Altair," I

e. You don't need to bother with the details, but

ing about? If the offer didn't come from the O

ther did, we thought we would have to give yo

ry?" I forced the words out,

her eyes ... her eyes still held pity, and deep down I knew that whatev

" I r

is brother Cosimo Greco, the Capo of the

ankly at my bed. It was neatly made. I didn't let the maids make it, hadn't let them make it in years. Every night I took my pillow and blanket and curled up

I was onl

the past took shape again like they

ainful memories. I took a deep breath an

ed me then averted her gaze, and again it was filled with a hint of guilt. "You should be honored to be given to someone of importance

We braved a lot of unpleasantness because we took you in. You can hardly hold it against us that

ow it used to be done, but if he insists on your consent, we can hardly refuse him. We invited him and his wife over for dinner." Her eyes met mine, finally. "You will tell him you are delighted

ghtly, and my gaze

't you? Your uncle already told Phoenix you

t my aunt, who

pered, because what el

lk to me without my aunt and uncle, which displeased them

marry if you refuse," he said

y this fall. I

ght he could pull any truth out of me with just his watchful gaze, but I

would be disappointed, and they would have an even harder time finding someone else. And how would I justify my refusal? In our w

choose one of the daughters of my Captains. A few of th

more innocent than me. A girl who deserved a chance at

marry him. You don't have to choose anyone else." My voice didn't betray my terror. It was fi

had to do what was expected. It would have made him and the Famiglia look bad if he couldn't have offered one of his cousins to the D'Angelo

y arm while the men drank their scotch in the smoking lounge and Aunt Josephine

cted, what honor dictated, and I know the s

ned. "Ye

oke his oath, I'm paying for my father's mistake. I want to move on from i

to Salvatore could destroy everything. My reputation and any chance at peace. And beneath these worries,