Twisted Emotions (The Camorra Chronicles 2)

Her brows drew together. “Because it wasn’t really a choice; it was disguised as one. In this life women aren’t given choices.”

I regarded her for a few moments. She seemed angry. Her anger suited me better than the submissive terror she’d displayed before. I lifted her hand, and she tensed again as if she’d forgotten about my touch. Her pulse raced against my fingertips. I showed her the ring. “I won’t tell you that you have a choice to accept this or not. We both know you will accept it like you will say yes in two days.”

She blanched and gave a small nod. “Otherwise there won’t be peace.”

“Indeed.”

Her fingers shook as I put the engagement ring on. The jeweler had recommended it after I told her money wasn’t an issue. A simple gold band with a big diamond in the middle. I never understood the reason for engagement rings. She swallowed again, and I realized it was to contain some of her terror. “You realize this isn’t a death sentence.”

Dark brown eyes rose to meet mine. “Death isn’t the worst that can happen.”

“You will be my wife,” I told her. Whatever she’d heard about my brothers and me, and what was going on in Vegas, she didn’t have to fear that kind of thing.

The door opened and Kiara quickly pulled her hand from mine, swallowing again, but she didn’t manage to erase the fear on her face. A woman with long brown hair, a lighter shade than Kiara’s, poked her head in, eyes roving between Kiara and me. She narrowed her eyes then stepped into the room. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

I recognized her from photos of the Famiglia Underbosses and Captains I’d studied. Giulia Moretti, wife to Cassio Moretti, Underboss of Philadelphia. “I think that was the purpose of your appearance, wasn’t it?” I drawled.

She didn’t look guilty as she moved to Kiara’s side and gave me a haughty expression. “It’s not proper for you to be alone with her yet. I don’t know how you handle things in Las Vegas, but here we handle them like this.”

I gave her a cold smile. “Don’t worry, I’m very aware of your traditions, as peculiar as they may be with the presentation of the sheets.”

If I’d thought, Kiara had been scared before, my mentioning of that tradition upped her fright.

I held out my hand but looked at Giulia. “Kiara and I are supposed to make an appearance together, Mrs. Moretti … unless that tradition has been changed recently?”

She glanced at Kiara, who gave her a firm smile. “He’s right, Giulia. We don’t want to disappoint the guests.”

She slipped her hand back in mine and lifted her chin. My thumb found her wrist again, and she shivered. Thud-thud. Thud. An erratic rhythm. Thud-thud. Thud.

Giulia left, but she didn’t close the door.

Without another word, I led Kiara into the living room, where the guests were waiting for our appearance. They began clapping when we entered. What a display of fake excitement. Remo stood beside Luca, his brother Matteo, and Romero. The women of the family were gathered on the other side of the room, probably because of my brother. Remo’s expression didn’t bode well. Maybe he was pissed that he didn’t get the chance to spill our half-brother’s blood, but I had told him Luca wouldn’t dare invite him.

Luca and Kiara’s uncle spoke a few words as was expected. After that, I released Kiara, so she could show off her ring to the women.

“And what do you think? Are you satisfied with your future bride?” Remo asked with a grin as I stopped beside him. Luca tossed us a hard look. Remo being his usual provocative self hadn’t bothered to lower his voice.

“It’s too early to assess my level of satisfaction yet,” I said, considering her again. Her face was evenly shaped with the right proportions, pleasant to look at, and her dark eyes and hair contrasted in a pleasing way with her pale skin. Her body fulfilled all the requirements to attract male attention: narrow waist, slender legs, round ass, and bigger than average breasts. I would have no trouble claiming her on our wedding night.

“Done with your assessment?” Remo said as he followed me toward the spread of delicacies on the dining table. “You will definitely enjoy fucking her. I wish I could get a taste.”

“But you won’t,” I said plainly.

Remo tilted his head. “In the past, the king had the right of the first night.”

“Ius primae noctis.”

“Maybe I should establish something like that in Vegas.” Remo chuckled, his eyes scanning the crowd for suitable women. “Bring all your virgins so I can break them.”

I shook my head. At least this time he had the sense to speak quietly. Luca needed peace as much as we did, but his patience certainly had its limits. “You aren’t king, Remo. And you don’t have a right to the first night with Kiara.”