His Revenge (Smoke & Mirrors Duet #1)

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

LEO

“Being raised in a world where dicks equate your worth and females are viewed as weak you learn how not to break but build yourself stronger.”

P utting on a red shimmery lipstick to pair with my black cocktail dress and red-bottom heels I continue to consider the plan. As a woman, I am only supposed to know so much but I have an internal source for what my father is doing. He has bartered my hand in marriage like a cheap bet. This is a horrible idea that may very well end in my death. It could be the worst thing that he has ever done to me. Sold my hand in marriage to the Angel of Death himself. I should not be going on a date with Leo, even if he intends to marry me. This transaction only passes me from one monster to the next.

“Ella, care to share your thoughts?” Anton breaks through my clouded thoughts from my bed. I know one should not sleep with their guard but a girl has needs and I am never out of his sight. It’s nothing close to love or a relationship, but it’s a solid release from the stress put on us by my family's business.

“I was thinking about my date tonight and why my father insisted that I date the man he already agreed I would marry. It’s not like I have a choice in the matter,” I utter, disappointed in my life prospects.

He clears his throat while he puts on his pants and says, “Your father sold your hand in marriage to Leo Angelini to prevent a blood war. He told Angelini that he would not work with the Russian skin dealers any longer.” That grabs my attention before Anton slips his shirt over his head. My father loves to trade in skin and while he was not sick enough to touch his own daughter, he has used me as a bargaining chip more than once. It is hard knowing that your father trafficks and uses girls your age and younger for his pleasure while your mom does nothing but smile. She acts like there is no issue with who he is and what lengths he is willing to go to for his empire. Now, the cherry on top is that he is marrying me off to the Angel of Death at twenty-one, without any consideration for what he may physically do to me. Where normal laws at least try to help women, the mafia does not follow those and he has every right to kill me after we are married. I am considered his property to do with as he pleases. The Angelini family and ours have never gotten along. He is as likely to kill me as he is to keep me captive. I will never fly free of the cage of this life.

“I was present for the negotiation of the terms and it seems that Angelini has requested you since his son does not date,” Anton remarks. That tidbit piques my interest. If he doesn’t date then why are we going out to a nice restaurant downtown to get to know each other? What kind of game is he playing? Will he get me comfortable and then use me just like the others or will he lock me up and throw away the key? I know this marriage is strategic for him and I need to find his angle if I want to survive this. Looking at Anton through the mirror I smile, knowing that I cannot take him with me. It would likely get him killed if I tried. Men of power do not like to share. Anton stands at the window checking to ensure my safety.

“I have been allowed to drive you to the date and monitor the situation from nearby since your father does not want any harm to come to you before you can tie the knot.” Anton surprises me. I know my father doesn’t care about me as a person, I am nothing more than a pawn in his schemes. He has Anton there as a witness in case Leo messes up or it's a trap.

“At least I know you will be there and be able to save me from serious harm,” I quipped. This was more of a joke but if he isn’t careful whatever action he decides to take could start a war. We both know how much blood is spilled in war. This war would mean that Eva would have to be used and I will not add to her plate. She gets darker and more distant every time she has to go on a job. I know that she does it to protect us, but she cannot wash the blood off of her soul no matter how much she washes her skin.

“It's time to go if we are going to get there on time, Miss,” Anton interrupts, treating me with the traditional title since we are about to go in public. Breathe. One last mirror check, everything is in the perfect place for this match of minds. Walking to the car, I start going through what I know about Leo. On the way to the restaurant, every moment I have spent with Leo flits through my mind. I actively avoided him as much as I could once I came of age. Lost in my thoughts, we pull in front of the restaurant. I straighten my spine and prepare for battle when I exit the car.

Walking to the front, I am seated at a booth immediately with the reservation being under Leo’s name. I know Anton is watching me nearby. We have been sleeping together more often but it's just fun and comfort fucking. He cannot get or have feelings for me when I am about to be married off to the enemy. If he is found in my bed or pining for me, it will get him killed by either my family or my husband-to-be. If he is caught, his death will not be painless.

The waitress comes by to drop off bread and asks if I want something to drink.

“Can I get the sweet riesling please?” I ask her. I am going to need a drink. She comes back quickly with my drink and a smile as she disappears.

Everything slows around me when he walks into the restaurant. His black suit fits him like a glove and I cannot take my eyes off of it. His signature all-black look makes his eyes stand out. They knock my breath away with a beautiful blue iris and a panty-dropping smirk. It cannot be him. Why does he have to be magnetic? I cannot understand how the whole world fears him until he makes his way over to my table. Grabbing my glass I gulp in preparation for this war of wills and the game is on. He sits across from me at the table perfectly relaxed with the kitchen to his back. He must know this place intimately. I extend my hand to greet him.

“Mr. Angelini, it is a pleasure to meet you,” I speak with a sly smile. How he reacts to the title will tell me all that I need to know about him. He reaches out his hand opposite mine, gently turning over my hand and pressing his lips to the back of it. I can feel the blush creep from my chest to my face and ears. He is a dazzling foe.

“I will make sure the pleasure is yours, fiancée,” he speaks gently only to me. He is good at this. As he takes a seat, the waitress returns with his glass of amber liquid. That confirms that he is a regular here. As he releases my hand I have to focus to keep my hand from shaking. Reaching down to grab a menu I realize that the only one left on the table was for drinks.

“I did not receive a menu when I sat down. Is there one for me to order from?” I inquire. I wonder if this is a game for him. It could be intentional to throw me off. Invite me out but refuse to eat with me so he can still say he has never been on a proper date.

He laughs and says, “No, I ordered the classic family spread. I know you have never been here and it gives you bits to try from all the staple Italian dishes from my family's recipe book.” I have to remind myself to close my mouth. He ordered a spread to share. He has no idea what I like. At least he didn't order me a boring salad to get me to watch my weight. On all of the “dates” my father has required me to attend over the years I was never permitted to eat a full meal. It is unladylike and lacks the sexual appeal that I was intended to provide. No matter how unsavory the male companions were I was always dressed to impress and any deviation led to punishments,

“What if I have allergies?” I question, wondering how well he thought this through. His cocky smirk tells me that he has more of a claim in this game than I previously thought. I hate cocky assholes who think they are right. Is this what the whole marriage is going to be like? I am supposed to survive the overbearing Angel of Death by myself.

“According to my intel, you have no allergies, but don't worry I didn't snoop in your proverbial panty drawer. Word to the wise, If you’re going to take nudes, you may want to learn to protect your files better,” he taunts me. He fucking taunts me. I can feel the heat creep up my ears until everything feels like it is on fire. He did fucking research on me. No, he is a busy man. They don’t do their own research, they pay others to do it for them.