Vicious Vows: A Dark Mafia Standalone Romance by M. James

Author:M. James [James, M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PNK Publishing
Published: 2023-11-18T18:30:00+00:00

I call Fontana the next morning and give him the news. Some hours later, while I’m wondering what to say when I call Luca, there’s a knock at my office door.

“Come in.” I turn away from the computer just in time to see one of the staff opening the door and stepping inside.

“Mr. Fontana is here to see you, sir.”

My stomach drops. As far as I’d been aware, the conversation was finished this morning, when we’d agreed that arrangements needed to be made for the official betrothal paperwork to be signed. The fact that Fontana has shown up here unannounced, isn’t a good sign.

“Show him in,” I tell her, feeling my gut twist into knots. My apprehension doesn’t lessen when Fontana walks in, and takes a seat without so much as a greeting.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.” I try to keep my expression as neutral as I can, wondering if Fontana looks so calm because he enjoys the feeling of keeping me in the dark. “Is there something more than what we discussed this morning on the phone?”

“Yes.” He leans back in his chair, frowning. “I had a call from the Leone family after you and I spoke. I had to, of course, inform them that Gianna had chosen otherwise. It was an—extensive discussion.”

The knot in my belly tightens with apprehension. “And? Is there a reason I should know about this conversation?”

“There will be a different choice,” Fontana says without preamble. “Gianna will marry Andre Leone. Before you say anything,” he adds, “I know that’s not what we agreed upon. But on further reflection, it is the best choice for the Family. The Lombardi family does not have enough to offer as they are, and they may be unable to maintain or even grow the current status of the Mancini family. But with the wealth and connections that Gianna brings added to what the Leone family has already built, it can only benefit all of us.”

“Except for Gianna. Who, on the heels of her father’s death, was promised a choice.” I glare at Fontana. “You can’t seriously be planning on insisting on this.”

“I am.” There’s not a hint of hesitation in his tone. “Tommas Lombardi will be regretfully informed that he will not be Gianna’s choice. As soon as it can be arranged, she and Andre Leone will sign a betrothal contract. It’s expected that the wedding will take place within a month afterward. At which point, of course, your duties here will be completed, and you can return to New York. As you wanted,” he adds pointedly.

I grit my teeth, trying to think clearly, and not say the first angry thing that comes to my mind. “Gianna will argue this. You know she will. Of all the choices she was given, Andre was the one she wanted least. She wouldn’t even entertain the idea of it.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Fontana shrugs. “She doesn’t have a choice in this, Moretti. Her father was too lenient with her, I think. She has a place in this world, and that place is to marry who she is told and produce heirs.

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