Page 77 of Vicious Intentions
It’s Moretti’s turn to scowl at the clear sound of defiance in his son’s voice.
“You forget your place, son. But I’ll indulge you just this once. Yes, it is true the girl is young, but Annamaria has lived her whole life under syndicate rule. Not too long ago, girls younger than her were bargaining chips and in lengthy engagements with suitors that would benefit their families. Though Romano, in his time asCapo dei Capi, put an end to such arrangements in the Outfit, even he couldn’t prevent his heads of familiesfrom marrying off their daughters when they became of age. If Annamaria is old enough to marry and have children, even by Outfit standards, then I do not see the issue.”
“Fuck, Dad, are you being for real right now? She might be legal, but that doesn’t mean she’s in a position to consent to a marriage with Matteo. That shit isn’t right, and the fact that you don’t see that…” Rocco trails off, looking honestly disappointed with his father’s archaic views of the world we live in.
“Annamaria will consent to marrying me. I will not force her,” I state evenly.
“No, you’ll just kidnap and manipulate her into it,” Rocco scowls.
I’m not offended by his outrage. Not in the least. If I were in his shoes, I’d probably think the same thing. Sheistoo young. So damn fucking young compared to me—seven whole years, to be precise.
Still, it has become increasingly easy to forget just how young she really is when we spend half the night debating philosophy and poetry. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
“I’m sorry, Matteo. I believe it’s time we finish here,” Moretti announces, obviously displeased with Rocco’s outburst.
I just offer him a nod and shake his hand as the two Moretti men leave my office. I do not want to get in the way of the father and son’s heated discussion, which I’m sure will take place the second they step out of my building’s front doors.
However, just as the two disappear from my view, Raffaele storms into my office like a bat out of hell. I don’t even register what he’s about to do until I feel the full weight of his fist hit my jaw.
“Fuck,” I hear Niccolò mutter over the ringing sound in my ears.
If the disrespect didn’t piss me off so much, I’d honestly be impressed that the kid even had it in him to throw a punch like that.
“No fucking way you’ll ever marry Anna! Over my fucking dead body!” Raffaele shouts, spitting on my face.
Anger starts bubbling inside me with his threat while Niccolò holds my enraged brother’s arms behind his back, preventing the little shit from swinging at me again.
“I will do what I must for the family.”
“Bullshit!” he shouts back, trying to wrestle free from Niccolò’s firm grasp. “You’re doing it for yourself. Everything you do is for you.”
“If that’s really how you see me, then we have nothing more to discuss.”
“Prove me wrong then! Let me marry her instead.”
“No!” I slam my fist onto the desk, harder than I should, considering I’m usually in control of my emotions.
“That’s what I thought,” Raffaele sneers at me. “This isn’t about what’s best for thefamiglia. It’s all about control. You just have to be the one to give the big middle finger to Romano, no matter who gets hurt along the way.”
“If you’re implying I would hurt An…” But her name dies on the tip of my tongue when both my brothers begin to stare at me, confusion etched into their brows.
“Don’t even try that shit with me, Matteo. I know you don’t give two shits about Anna. She’s a pawn in your games. We all are,” Raffaele hollers, his face going red with rage. “When did you start talking to her? Was that always the plan? Was that why you forbade me from reaching out to her?” he continues, needing to know the ins and outs of my relationship with Anna. But like hell he’s getting any insight into it. “Does she even know that she’s talking to you, or are you pretending to be me this whole time?” I don’t need to answer that question for him toknow the truth. “You can never let me have anything! Not one thing! Not the life I want and now not the woman I love!”
“Don’t fucking delude yourself, little brother,” I reply arcticly. “You don’t love Anna. You don’t know the first thing about love. If you did, you wouldn’t have fucked half of New York while claiming she meant something to you. No, dear brother. You still have much to learn about the world. Love and loyalty are only two lessons on a very long list.”
Breathing heavily through his nose, he stares daggers at me, as if ready to tear my head off.
“I fucking hate you,” he snarls through gritted teeth.
He’s never said those words to me before, even if I’ve felt their sting in other ways. But now they’re here—his true feelings laid bare, out in the open.
I wish I could say I was surprised. It might have hurt worse if the reason behind his hatred wasn’t Anna and his unwillingness to let her go. Still, she’s not his anymore. Maybe she never was. I really couldn’t give a fuck. Anna is mine now, and not even Raffaele’s hatred of me will change that.
I walk over to him and forcefully grab his chin so his eyes can read the threat swimming in mine.
“Hate me all you want, Rafe, but hear this—Annawillbe my wife, and you, baby brother, are going to make sure of it.” He tries to free his chin from my grip, but I only hold onto him harder, enough to bruise. “I have big plans for this family, Rafe. And you will follow them diligently. Because if you don’t, if you prove to be more trouble than what you’re worth, if family loyalty means nothing to you, then I shall throw you in the same cell you found our father on the night you took theomertà. Don’t fuck with me on this, Raffaele, for my patience with you has run dry.Capisce?”
I release him, his hatred giving way to fear, the bravado he previously held onto draining from his expression.
