2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

T oula, Age 17, Year 3

Today was Irini’s twenty-first birthday, and all I felt was dread. I’d been awake for a few hours, but I hadn’t moved from the safety of my bed. My eyes continually drifted toward the door, and my ears strained to hear any noise in the hallway. The only sound in the room was the crinkle of my satin sheets as I waited.

This day had been looming over the entire compound ever since that dinner with the Italians had ended three years ago. Irini had attended their functions as the dutiful bride-to-be, but I thought it was cruel that my father constantly sent Markos as her guard. My mother knew about their relationship, but Markos was still alive, proving she hadn’t divulged that piece of knowledge, using it to her advantage. I wouldn’t have blamed them if they had run.

The Old Man never attended our family functions. The first time he had excused himself, I had waited for my father to blow a gasket, but he’d smiled as he announced we wouldn’t be having guests. By the third time, I had suspected that whatever was in the marriage contract was far more important to my father than the Old Man actually showing up. Irini might have a better chance of enduring the marriage if he ignored her, too.

My feet wiggled underneath the blankets as I tried to listen one more time, but no one was coming for me, the second daughter. I planned on using this to my advantage and hiding as much as possible. Pulling out my latest business book, I slid my finger along the top until I hit the scrap paper I’d placed in between the pages. Lying on my side, I propped my head up and read. I had barely finished the first chapter when Irini burst into my room, still in her nightgown, with her hair flowing wildly behind her.

“Toula!” she cried, her eyes full of fear. She closed my door before she said, “He missed my birthday.”

I placed my book on the nightstand and sat up in bed. “Who missed your birthday?” It was rhetorical. I already knew the answer as I watched her wring her hands.

Irini gathered her nightgown between her legs and climbed onto my bed, sitting next to me. I feared this was going to get worse before it ever got better, and I wrapped my arms around her. Pulling her into my body, we lay on my pillows as we both looked up at the ceiling.

“Markos,” she sighed. “I had to attend the Italians’ Christmas party last night with Angelo, and I thought nothing of it when I didn’t hear from him. He always tells me goodnight. Sometimes when there’s a function, I don’t hear from him until the next morning. There’s been no communication.”

“When was the last time you saw him?” I asked her, fearing the worst.

She tapped her finger against her lips as she thought about it. “I was in my art room yesterday afternoon, and he popped in to see if I needed anything.”

“Did you need anything?” I couldn’t help but tease her.

She turned her head to look at me. “It’s not like that. You’re never going to understand until you have someone who accepts you the way you are. He lets me be me, and there’s no pressure to be something I’m not. There’s been no one who accepts me like that, and in return, I just want to please him when he’s around.”

“He’s also your guard, and you knew better. You have an arranged marriage,” I reminded her.

“That’s not the point. Markos never misses my birthday.” She laid her head on my chest, and I tightened my arms around her. “He never misses my birthday,” she whispered.

We stayed in my room just as we were. I held my eldest sister as tight as I could, afraid that the worst had happened. Neither one of us worried about how many hours had passed, the light dimming in the room the only indicator. I thought it was suspicious no one came to look for us until dinnertime. The sun had set and shadows bathed the room in darkness when my mother knocked on my door, accompanied by a serving girl.

She walked into my room, took one look at us, and smiled. “Irini, Markos has been relieved of his duties. He’s left the property. If you’re planning on leaving the compound before the wedding next week, you’ll need to negotiate with Toula to use Angelo.” She walked out as the serving girl put the tray down on my bed. No one was hungry.

“He wouldn’t miss my birthday,” Irini said after they left, turning her face further into my shoulder.

I didn’t want to have to spell this out for her. “Irini, he didn’t leave,” I told her, tightening my hold.

“He wouldn’t miss my birthday,” she said again, the tears streaming down her face.

I made sure she was looking at me when I delivered the blow. “Irini, he’s gone. They killed him.”

The light in her eyes seemed to fade away, leaving a void of nothingness in their wake.

In that moment, I vowed never to be trapped in a fate like hers. I looked over at my nightstand, where my business book sat, renewing my desire to become an undesirable.

***

W hen there was a family wedding, it would have been rude not to invite the high-ranking members of the other ruling families. Our family and the Italians intermingled, but the Bratva kept to themselves, bringing gracious gifts. The Yakuza were under the watchful eyes of every single made man in the room.

Three hours before the ceremony, Old Man Lomardo announced he wasn’t in the mood for a new wife. His first wife had given him five sons before she passed, and he had no use for any more heirs. He also had four mistresses that kept him occupied. Irini would be too easy for him to break, and the man liked a challenge. My father took great pleasure in telling Irini that they had come to new terms. She’d marry his son, Junior, and I wondered if that had been the plan all along. They had agreed too quickly.

Irini was a beautiful bride, like a broken doll. The more I watched my sister, the more my heart ached for her. I wanted nothing to do with this, but there was nothing I could do to stop it. Irini caught my gaze right before we walked out of the bridal suite, her eyes pleading for something I could never give her. I took her hand, squeezing it gently, hoping my silence conveyed what my words never could. I apologized for this cruelty even though it wasn’t my fault.

The wedding was three hours long, but it gave me time to think behind the mask I wore. I could grab Irini and run, but where would we go? My father would send out his henchman, and then we would face punishment if caught. Even if we made it out of state, I wasn’t sure I could make enough at seventeen to support us. Irini had retreated into herself, not speaking and barely functioning. She wouldn’t be able to add to our limited income. I could beg one of the other families to take us, but I didn’t know anyone that I could trust to not immediately ransom us back to my father. I went through a few more plans, making sure that my face was blank, but nothing seemed viable.

I was still at a loss when I walked into the reception hall. My father was in his element, working the room as if this was the greatest event he had ever attended. My mother fluttered between doing the same thing and making sure that Irini didn’t sob too loudly. It was a deterrent to everyone else’s good time.

There were rumors swirling around the ballroom that Junior was into sexual sadism. I had heard more than once that he had gone too far a few times and had had to be bailed out by the Italian clean-up crew.

I excused myself from the ballroom. I made my way down the hallway, where I could see a pair of French doors that led out to a patio. My bodyguard would follow, but if no one else was out there, he’d keep his distance. We had a system like that. Angelo left me alone in peace, and I didn’t cause him any grief. I’d also threatened him, and he was afraid I would follow through with my lies.

There was a little outdoor table and chairs set up on the patio. I closed the French door and sat in the chair that I knew would be visible through the glass. I needed a break. This was a mess, and no one would speak up. My father didn’t care. He was now a silent partner in the Italians’ new casino. Record profits and alternative places to launder money were more exciting than his eldest daughter’s happiness. My mother would never go against my father. She had survived such a fate, so in her eyes, Irini could, too. They either didn’t want to see how delicate Irini was, or they simply didn’t care. It could have gone either way.

Taking off my heels, I rested my head on the back of the chair and closed my eyes, sticking my feet directly out in front of me.

“You should know better than to be by yourself, malenkaya lisichka.”

My eyes shot open, and I blurted, “I have a guard.” Sitting up quickly, I stuck my feet back into my shoes and ran my hand down my skirts, smoothing any imaginary creases. My eyes darted around, searching for the source of the voice, my heart pounding. There was no one in sight. I wasn’t supposed to be outside by myself.

“No, you had a guard. He’s indisposed,” a man replied as he sat in the chair across the table from me. He was obviously a wedding guest, in a custom, high-end suit. I pegged him for mid to late twenties. Brown hair and brown eyes weren’t a lot to go on, but the black X’s tattooed on his knuckles were a dead giveaway. Russian.

I wasn’t sure what to do. Did I run? It would be worse if he told my father that I had been rude to him. Did I make polite conversation and then excuse myself? I didn’t know. I had never been in this position before.

“You’re the safest you’ve ever been, and I won’t hurt you. There’s no need to run.” His voice was like smooth honey.

I let it wash over me as I watched him, more questions firing off in the back of my mind. Was I easy to read? I’d been working on my poker face for the last three years, and within seconds, this man seemed to understand my inner thoughts. I didn’t like it.

“There’s no reason I should believe you. We’ve never met. Did you incapacitate my guard?” I wanted to take it back as soon as the words slipped off of my tongue. I had to remember my place in this world, and there was no way of knowing his intentions.

“He’ll be alright.” He smirked. “Slight headache in the morning, but nothing a drink won’t cure.” He chuckled, crossing his ankle over his leg and shifting in the chair to watch me.

Shit! Angelo was going to be pissed when he woke up. I knew he wouldn’t tell my father that someone had gotten the jump on him, so I was relatively safe there.

“Why?” I asked, turning in my chair to stare back at him.

“Why not?” he responded with another smirk.

“Yet they wonder why I want to be an undesirable,” I groaned under my breath and sat back in my chair. I couldn’t deal with men and their blatant stupidity. I had watched my father rule as a king when he was actually a tyrant, and my new brother-in-law wasn’t much better.

This time, he tilted his head back and laughed. “Malenkaya lisichka, you’re the fire to your sister’s ice. Far from undesirable. Trust me, I would know. You hide from the rest of the world, but your eyes betray you. You thought no one was paying attention, but you spoke to me in the silence. It was very entertaining.”

“What do you want?” I asked. I was in a tough spot. If I went back inside, and Angelo wasn’t with me, my father would make him disappear. If I found him and he was helpless, he’d disappear. Angelo was easily controllable, but the only man I wanted to make disappear was currently sitting at this little table, staring intently at me. I didn’t want to think to think about anything else he had said .

“You.” He laid his hands on his thigh, shifting his posture in the chair.

I looked at him as if he had suddenly sprouted two heads. Was this man clinically insane? “You don’t even know me.” This sounded more ridiculous by the second.

“I know you’ll be mine.” He smirked. “That’s not a threat. It’s definitely a promise.”

“I’m seventeen.” I pointed towards myself. “Not eligible,” I reminded him. “Russian,” I said, pointing at his knuckles. “You’d have to speak to my father, and he’s not interested in restaurants.”

“He’s not. You’re right. However, I had plenty of time on my hands this afternoon. He either partners on or owns several clubs, and you’re heading to business school once you graduate. I’d bet everything that he’s going to build you your own club, eventually. Clubs need food.” He said it so simply, like it was already a fact. I didn’t have any experience with men, but I knew this man was dangerous. He wore it like a cloak wrapped around his shoulders. Top hat and all.

“What does any of that have to do with me? My father has the final say, so it’s all speculative,” I said. This was getting old. If my father caught me speaking to this man, it would ruin my undesirable status. I had worked too hard to let it go over a handsome man who spoke in riddles.

“You. I want you.” He leaned forward in his chair, placing his elbows on his knees. “What would you do to save your sister, malenkaya lisichka?”

“What are you talking about?” I needed to wrap this up. I was afraid that I’d been gone too long and someone would come looking. However, he’d dangled the carrot that would get my attention, and like an idiot, I’d reached for the forbidden vegetable. If I could get Irini to safety, I owed it to her to take the chance .

“You know what we’re talking about. Coyness doesn’t suit you. You’re too smart for that.” He shifted again in the chair as he tapped his fingers against his leg. His foot bounced to a rhythm only he heard.

“Save my sister, and I’d be in your debt.” There was no going back now. I dropped any pretentiousness. I didn’t know why I was putting my trust in a man I didn’t know. He could easily burn me, telling any story he wanted because everyone would believe him. I’d jumped into the deep end, too far to break the surface.

If this man had Junior removed from the picture, it wouldn’t start a war. Old Man Lombardo’s four other sons were decent, and they would move on as if nothing had happened. However, if they caught me plotting, they would force me to marry against my will or worse, force me to take my sister’s place. I’d worked my ass off to learn everything I could about business. I had dedicated countless hours to reading and studying, ensuring that when the time came, no one could question my preparedness.

I had one shot to make this right. “If you save Irini, I’ll be in your debt,” I repeated firmly. “Junior is not the man for my sister. She’s already broken, and he’ll rip the rest to shreds until there’s nothing left. If she’s a widow, she’ll still be within my father’s grasp. The only way to make her truly safe is to eliminate the threats.” I stood from my chair and walked over to the railing that surrounded the patio. I’d just suggested murder like it was an everyday occurrence.

“How do you plan for that to happen?” he asked.

“Once the mourning period is over, you must petition my father for her hand in marriage. I don’t care what you tell him or how you do it. Irini deserves to be loved and cherished. You’ll do that as her husband. Those are my terms.” I was na?ve. I was sure it was a good deal for him. However, I’d presented my case first, not realizing I didn’t have the upper hand in this conversation .

He stood from the chair and followed me. Placing his hands against the railing, he trapped me against his body. He was so close that I could smell his aftershave. It might just have been the new expensive suit smell. It was hard to tell, and my brain was fogging over. I’d never been this close to a man that wasn’t family before.

I didn’t know what to do, and I was afraid to look anywhere else but his eyes.

Never breaking eye contact with me, he bent down until our foreheads touched.

“I have much to teach you, malenkaya lisichka,” he chuckled lightly. “My terms. Your sister will have a one-year mourning period, as tradition dictates. After it’s over, I’ll petition your father for her hand. She’ll be my wife in name only.” He took a quick breath that blew a piece of my hair. “I’ll treat her like a sister and make sure she’s well taken care of. There’s no life in her, and I refuse to take advantage when she can’t consent.”

“You would do that?” I had to confirm. I should have realized that this was going a little too smoothly, but my only concern was Irini.

“I wouldn’t do it for anyone else but you. However, I’m going to need something in return. I must have an heir within five years of marriage. Otherwise, the rules dictate your father can take payment from me. Knowing what a bastard he is, it won’t be cheap.” His eyes burned into mine.

I didn’t hesitate. “I’ll give you an heir before the five-year mark.” If this was going to be the price I paid for Irini’s freedom. I would gladly do it, but I felt conflicted. I wasn’t upset about having to take Irini’s place, but strangely enough, that fact only deepened my distress.

A devilish grin slowly spread across his lips. His eyes twinkled with amusement. “You’ll bear my children. If Irini doesn’t survive the five years, you’ll take her place as my wife. Either way, I win you. ”

“Deal,” I whispered. Irini would be safe, and all I felt was relief. I never actually considered that I might have to take her place one day.

“Deal.” His lips brushed mine before he pulled away, leaving through the French doors.

I watched as he walked down the hallway, power clear in his rigid gait. My fingers came up to touch my lips, but as I walked back into the hall, that was when the awareness hit me. He’d stolen my first kiss.