THE MAFIA BILLIONAIRE'S SWEET BRIDE

make it bleed red, like blood dripping on the marble floor. If the world were as clear as glass, that's exactly how it would look. The word "murder" pulled me from my t

ke every night. Every time the kitchen door opened, I heard voices from the foyer as the staff got ready for lunch. This morning, when I left the church, I heard a voice I barely knew-my cousin Ben

mom said as she walked in, followed by the noise of our gues

so depressing." Ricardo Abelli, my mother's husband, was the leader of one of the biggest crime groups in the U.S. Sometimes, I wondered if she really didn't see the truth or if s

e about the law. Then she said, "Your father isn't happy with you," looking at me through

ed pointing out my mistakes. "Why didn't you come meet the Russo after church?" she asked, waving her spoon at me and "I don't belie

e all my old mistakes were being dragged back up. As the oldest sister, it was my duty to get married first. But my mistake had thrown my

s morning after church like I was supposed to, maybe things would be different &

the boss of one of the crime families in New York . My past mistakes still hurt, and hearing this news felt like reopening old wounds. As the oldest sister, it was my job to marry first.

If you had met him this morning after church

future brother-in-law. I felt like an outcast to my dad, so I was surprised he even n

ot of blood on his hands. I figured he didn't feel guilty about any of it. The news had reported a new victim with the name "Zanetti" every morning for a year-the family Sal

ch steps, I spotted the meeting I was supposed to attend. Dad and Mum stood on either side of Adriana, facing Salvatore Russo. That's how brides and grooms usually met in our world. Arranged marriages were normal in the Cosa Nostra.I felt annoyed at the whole thing, and my eyes narrowed a bit

he turned back to my dad, acting like I didn't matter. I let out the breath I was holding and rushed

in Benito say the alliance was just for a weapons deal. My sister was a pawn in a big trafficking plan. How

ove With the gardener."Milene, go see if Adriana is rea

ctantly, I pushed off the counter and headed out of the kitchen. The n

and her husband, a few male cousins, and my brother Tony, who was glaring at Salvatore. Tony stood against the wall with his hands in his

stood next to a man who seemed to be her grandfather, but then he slid his hand onto her backside. She just pursed her lips, looking annoyed. She wore a mink shawl in July over a thin olive-green dress and thigh-high boots. Her long dark hair fell in waves, and with

uld get away, my dad cal

in defeat. But I only hesitated for a mom

his eyes. Dad looked ten years younger than his fifty-five, with silver streaks in his black hair. He was always in a suit, always lookin

ction many times before, but this felt different. My breath caught, and I felt like I was about to fall

eyes met, a shiver ran through me. His light brown eyes were intense, and h

already met."What? His calm tone sent a thrill through me. It felt like I was on his turf now, like he

name like he knew me well? My dad went tense beside me, probably thinking I'd done something wrong with Nicolas. Heat r

like Salvatore was toying with me. I couldn't make this worse by a