As expected, my over the top father couldn’t resist putting us in a limo. I don’t know why he uses it if I’m being honest, it is slow, and it is like a walking neon sign for our enemies. An SUV would be more practical, but I’m smart enough to know that my opinion is not needed or wanted.

The ride was quiet, save for my father speaking Italian to his men. I never tried to involve myself in the conversation. The last time I tried that, I was twelve, and I ended up with a black eye, a concussion and a twisted ankle. If he wants me to know, he would say it in English.

The limo pulled up in front of a large banquet hall. I was impressed by the sheer size of the building alone. Glass tinted windows lined the length of the building. Every part that wasn’t glass has a sleek cream marble look. The entire place screamed wealthy- dirty wealth.

My father stepped out first, and one of his guards held out a hand to help me out of the car. I knew my part so I gingerly took his hand while offering him a shy and demure smile. He led me to my father and I slipped my hand into the crook of his elbow.

“You have one job today,” he whispered ever so lowly to me, “Stay quiet, look pretty and do not disgrace me. Do you understand me?”

“Yes sir,” I couldn’t help but add, “The throbbing cut on my cheek serves as an ever constant reminder.”

He clenched his jaw, but otherwise didn’t say anything.

He led me inside with Giovanni and Mario trailing behind us. The doorman greeted him with a curt nod and I trailed my eyes over his features. There was a hint of a tattoo peeking out from the cuff of his suit and he had an earpiece in his ear. It was covered by his long hair but his brief nod had revealed it to me.

Father pulled us away from the door and towards a group of people that I instantly recognized as business partners of his. They were standing around a bar chattering in fluent Italian. When they saw father, they stopped their conversation and started greeting him.

I stood awkwardly to the side with a small smile on my face until father chose to introduce me.

“I am sure you all know my daughter, Isabella.” He gestured to me and it was my turn to go through the motions of giving everyone a small handshake.

“Your daughter is of marrying age; is she not, Dante?” one of them asked and the other hummed in agreement.

“Isabella, why don’t you join the women on the other side of the room?” father turned to me, “The men need to talk business.”

A part of me wanted to refuse, but the wise part knew better, so I gave him a small nod and made my way over to where the other women were.

As I approached, their conversation grew quiet and the whispers began. I know what they’re all saying, and it’s not anything that I haven’t heard over again. They all wonder why I am twenty two and not married yet. It is practically unheard of, but I know why father is doing it. He is looking for the highest ranking bachelor he can find.

Someone in my position can only marry down. As the daughter of a capo, there is no one in a higher position to marry. All the capos are married, so unless their wives suddenly died, I have to marry an underboss or a consigliere. But my father’s pride will not let him give me to one of them. I don’t mind anyway, I enjoy being single; marriage has never been of interest to me.

I stood in front of an empty chair, “May I sit?” I asked and no one answered for a few seconds, but then a girl who looks about my age nodded. I noticed a silver band glinting on her left hand, but she looked unfamiliar. “I’m Isabella.”

She fidgeted with the long sleeve of her dress before responding, “I’m Ava,” she said finally.

“I haven’t seen you around before.”

“I’m married to the Underboss of Philadelphia,” she explained, “He likes to keep me inside for my protection.”

There was a nervous undercurrent in her voice, and while she spoke, I saw the hint of a bruise on her inner wrist. Her protection my ass; he probably keeps her inside so that no one can see her bruises.

The women delved back into their conversation about married life, furniture and babies. I stayed out of it because I didn’t know what to say. Some servers brought us champagne but I left my glass untouched because I don’t like champagne.

After an hour, I was bored out of my mind so I spoke, “Does anyone know why we’re here?”

The women went silent and everyone stared at me in shock. Finally, a woman with bleached blond hair and poisonous dark eyes spoke.

“Your father invited the capo of the Famiglia for a meeting.” She said, “They want to discuss peace treaties. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

I ignored her attempt at a jab and shrugged. “When is he arriving?”

“He’s already here; he arrived a bit early and was already inside by the time you came.”

Almost immediately she finished speaking, the door to the meeting room opened and two figures emerged. As they walked further into the room, I recognized one of them- Alessandro. As if aware that I was thinking about him, his eyes snapped to mine, they widened briefly in recognition and he gave a subtle wink. I couldn’t help the small smile that grew on my lips.

I was interrupted by someone clearing their throat, I looked up and saw Giovanni looking at me with a blank expression, “Come with me; your father wants to speak to you.”

I politely excused myself from the women but none of them seemed to care; they were more than eager to get back to their conversation. I followed Giovanni to where my father was standing with Alessandro and the other man.

As I got closer, I got a better look at the other guy. He was tall- taller than Alessandro and I had to crane my neck to look at him which shouldn’t be an easy feat considering I am 5’6 without my heels and 5’9 with them.

He had hair as black as the night that settled in unruly curls around his head. His eyes were a gleaming amber and they looked like a predators as they took me in from head to toe. He had a chiseled jaw and defined cheekbones. He was wearing a long sleeved shirt but the hint of a tattoo peeked from his shoulders.

What made him stand out though, was the wicked jagged scar that ran the length of his left brow, over his eye, to his left cheek. It added to the air of danger that seemed to swirl around him. I swallowed deeply. If Alessandro is baited danger, cold and calm; he is a raging inferno- the danger around him chokes and threatens to swallow you whole.

He looked young- younger than my father. I would estimate him to be either in his late twenties or his early thirties, but that doesn’t matter. He looks young, but his eyes look like they have seen the world ten times over. They hold wisdom and unbridled violence.

“This is my daughter, Isabella.” Father pulled me to his side, “This is Lorenzo; the capo of the Famiglia; and this is Alessandro, his consigliere.”

I held out my hand to them, “It’s wonderful to meet you.”

Alessandro took my hand with a blank face but his eyes told the tales that his mouth did not. Lorenzo on the other hand stared at my hand for a full minute, as if it was infected, before he finally took it. He gave it two firm shakes and dropped it almost immediately.

I was stunned by his actions but chose not to speak on it. It would not be a wise decision.

“Can we get to the point Dante?” Lorenzo said. His voice was like gravel, all jagged edges and rough sides. It sent shockwaves down my spine and I found myself standing straighter, “My men and I have places to be.”

Father clenched his jaw at the insult, but instead of calling out Lorenzo, he simply nodded. He walked away from where we were and took his place on a makeshift stage. He tapped his glass with his fork and everyone went silent.

He stayed quiet for a full minute, and no one dared to speak.

“I’m sure you are all wondering why I invited you here today,” he began after a beat.

He delved into a speech about all the things he has done for the Costa Nostra and I found myself zoning out and taking a step back so I was away from the crowd of people. I found an unopened bottle of vodka and poured myself a shot. When I made sure no one was looking, I downed it.

“The capo’s daughter doing shots in secret,” I perked up at the voice, “I would never have expected; Although, I would never have expected to see her in a nightclub in New York either.”

I turned to face Alessandro and he had a smirk on his face. He reached around me to grab the vodka bottle and poured it straight into his mouth.

“You knew who I was when you met me,” it wasn’t a question, it was a fact, and he knew it too because he just shrugged.

“I was surprised that you didn’t know me. Is that how little they teach the women here?”

I ignored his jab, but he seemed to have gotten the reaction he wanted from me because he smiled.

“What are you doing here?” I asked finally, and he shrugged and pointed at my father.

I turned just in time to hear him call my name. I made my way out of my hiding spot, and when he saw me he smiled and turned back to the audience. He delved into a speech about how the Costa Nostra respects their women. They he began speaking about the fact that I was unmarried- that made my spine straighten.

“As you all know,” he began, “My daughter is not married yet; and that has been by my doing. As my child, she deserves nothing but the best, and that is why as of today it has been finalized that she will be marrying Lorenzo Russo; the capo of the Famiglia. This way we can usher in a new era of peace between the Famiglia and The Costa Nostra.”

I didn’t hear the rest of the speech. It was drowned out by white noise. Why didn’t he tell me? Why would he ambush me like this? I don’t want to get married.

Everyone started congratulating him and Lorenzo. Well they tried to congratulate Lorenzo; he would simply give them a hard stare.

I looked at my father who was staring directly at me. He mouthed one word, but it was enough for him to deliver his order ‘smile’. I forced my lips to form the motion of a smile, and when he was satisfied, he raised his glass to me in a mock salute.

“Congratulations Isabella,” Mario made his way to me, and then he whispered, “I can’t wait for someone to finally tame that smart mouth and attitude of yours. Look at your husband,” he continued, “He will tear you apart.”

He gave me a wicked smile and walked away.

I looked around at the various people, trying to find my bearing and then my eyes found Lorenzo’s. He held my stare for a full minute almost as if to say I was now stuck with him.

He finally looked away, and then I felt a presence behind me and someone- Alessandro leaned into my ear to whisper, “Welcome to the family.”