Marriage For Convenience

VAT

s. He got up from the sofa the moment I stepped into our game room. Saverio and Augusto were busy playing

ped Phoenix had disagreed after today's meeting so we could attack the Famigli

of his cousins,

her father must be one of P

father was killed fo

hter of a traitor?" Cosi

about these k

o the leather. There were more holes in it already. "But the Famiglia does. The

s brown eyes alight with what I assumed was amusement. Augusto didn't seem to care that he won the gam

ell," Cosimo said. "It makes sense that Phoenix wo

the type to punish a woman like that, especially an innoc

d. "Maybe. We'

wn too long and fell into his eyes so he had to push it back const

a

he woman. What if you can't

you sound any more like a pussy?

ce turned re

teen. When I was your age, I'

him in a room with a few hookers

shoulder. "Shut up! I d

u can't be a fucking virgin. It's p

led to the ground and began punching. Augusto hadn't yet fough

to, punching him hard once, twice, and then lifted his arm for another punch. I took a step forward to stop him, but Cosimo swung himself over the sofa, landed beside

yes held challenge before he nodde

ade no move to stand. Cosimo bent over him and held out a hand. Augusto didn't

is feet. Augusto winced, then with a last glare at Saver

business, he managed to act like a man, but in moments like this it became obvious that he wouldn't be turning seventeen for ano

u kill h

will stand by each other. I don't care if Augusto is

as fuck. If fucking a guy makes him

o me. "Talk to him. You are the

was hunched over, smoking a regular cigarette. Since Cosimo's last warning, he hadn't touched anything harder. I

, not pot or hero

and sat down across from him. "Wha

an adult, you have to act like one. Now t

I don't want to screw a hooker or a

u attacked Saverio. What did

are sure you can b

beat Saveri

ll of you. I don't enjoy hurt

olent child. "You are strong and a good fighter. You do

d. "I don't want

r's Fight Arena, and unlike Cosimo, Saverio, and I, h

et used to it," he mutte

had five months until he turned fourteen; he wouldn't be inducted until

his head shot u

der to read him. "Cosimo wouldn't punish you for it. We are brothers, A

ve to stit

d. "I'm

t he continued witho

you because you are their boss or because they are scared. I don't

it's difficult

't looking. Simon

t through a lot of

n't want to be forced t

t force you

all

ve would be too strong to wait for someone he cared about, even more someone who cared for him. "But, A

your future wi

y for a marriage. I have

tion?" His mouth twisted at

ook and stood.

. "I kind of fee

Maybe I would have felt sorry for Celest