Page 3 of Urgent Vows
Her mouth parts on a slight gasp. I cannot help myself, I brush over her lip again. Her pupils dilate and I know my touch excites her, even under the current strained circumstances.
The attraction between us is too damn strong, which is the main reason I didn't demand Francesco give her to me as my bride. I am not looking for a wife to disrupt my life.
However, it looks like that is exactly what I am about to get.
"It would be against our traditions for me to order your father not to beat your sister." Catalina knows this, just as she is no doubt aware of my family's stance against domestic violence.
My father refused to have men under him in positions of authority who could not control their anger within their own home. He believed that if his capos, underboss, consigliere and head enforcer kept the violence we dealt with on a daily basis away from their families, it would set a good example for the men under them.
I have followed the same practice. But that is as far as our traditions allow the don's interference to go.
"As don, it is not my place to involve myself in family matters."
"But she's your fiancée. Doesn't that make her family?"
I disabuse her of the belief that her sister is mine in any way. "No, Catalina, the minute she ran away, Carlotta broke the agreement between our families. She is no longer my fiancée."
"So, you won't help?" Her eyes are awash with disillusionment.
She believed I would save her sister and I will. For a price.
"There is a circumstance in which I can fully protect Carlotta, but it requires something from you."
"Finally," Miceli says under his breath.
I ignore him.
"What?" She looks genuinely puzzled. Even after my hints.
"I need a bride and you're already wearing the dress, which fits you just right, by the way." I let my gaze slide over her beautiful breasts displayed so perfectly by the tight bodice.
She won't be wearing anything that shows so much cleavage in the future, but right now I'm enjoying the view. Her succulent hips are hidden by the full skirt of the gown, but that appeals to me too, that her sexy body is not on display for others to see.
"Right. If I try to walk without holding up the skirt, I'll trip and fall flat on my face." Choosing to take issue with my first statement, she ignores my comment about needing a bride entirely.
"If you are my wife, your family business becomes my family business." I watch as comprehension dawns.
Too many emotions chase across her expressive features for me to know which way she is leaning. She goes from relieved to reluctant, with several others in between.
"I can't marry you," she says, but her voice lacks conviction.
"On the contrary. You can and you will. Your family owes me a bride and you will be mine." Fuckingmine. I like the sound of that too damn much.
"But it won't be legal."
I smile and whatever she sees in my expression makes her eyes widen. "The marriage license is for Severu E. De Luca and Madonna C. Jilani. So long as the priest uses your name and not your sister's for the vows, it is all good."
Not that the religious ceremony is necessary for the marriage to be legal and binding. All that is required is for both of us to sign the marriage contract along with witnesses and for the marriage record to be filed with the City Clerk's Office.
"But you don't want to marry me." She says it kind of desperately.
I smile again, like the wolf that I am. "Don't I?"
"Because you don't want to be embarrassed in front of all of these people," she says, like she's worked it out.
"If the marriage doesn't happen today, the only person that will be humiliated is your father. The person who will pay the highest price is your sister."
Chapter 2
