Vow to Me: A Mafia Arranged Marriage (The Romano Empire Book 1)

Chapter Eighteen

Once we get home from the boutique from Hell, which we ended up being in and out of within twenty minutes, Luca changes and heads down to the gym while I set myself up at the dining table to get some work done. Spending this morning in bed with Luca was surreal, I never thought it possible that we could gel together so well, we talked about our childhoods and what it was like for him growing up with two younger brothers.

When I was younger, I always wanted a little sister, however, in hindsight, it’s probably for the best that I was an only child. It’s better that way, at least my father didn’t have any more siblings for him to force his control over, the way he did with me.

Hearing Luca talk about what he and his brothers got up to when they were younger makes me think about our kids that we’ll have one day.

Obviously, they’ll have to grow up in la Cosa Nostra, but I want to give them the kind of childhood the Romano’s had. I”ve never really thought about having kids before, it was always just a faraway fact that one day I would have to produce an heir for my father, because that’s the only thing I was good for.

I grew up listening to my father complain about me being a girl. He once called me a selfish little bitch for being born a girl, because of course it was my fault. As if I somehow took control and decided my own fate.

I spend the next hour tracing leads and sending the data to Hurricane about some whispers I found on a site about a shipment of girls coming into New York next month. It makes me feel fucking sick that there’s people out there who will just sell these girls and I’m eternally grateful for the life I’ve lived, even if sometimes I do wish it was different, easier, normal.

I’m just about to get up to stretch my legs when my phone rings on the table. Looking at the caller ID I see that it’s my father calling. I roll my eyes before picking up the phone and answering.

“Hi, Papa,” I say into the speaker.

“Isabella, you’ve been in New York for a while now. Surely, you’ve got something to tell me?” he grunts.

What? No how are you? How’s married life? Are you happy with the man I sold you to? At least he’s consistent in being a dick.

“Something like what, Papa?” I say, playing dumb. There’s not a chance in hell I’m telling him anything about what Luca or the rest of the family have been up to.

“You know exactly what I mean, Isabella. Surely you know something, it’s always good to keep some blackmail material. Honestly, it’s a wonder you’ve made it this far in life,” he says and I have to hold in a snort, I’ve made it this far in life before I fucking fought tooth and nail every single day while putting up with him being a controlling and demanding asshole.

“Luca and I don’t talk about his work, or anything even remotely related to it. I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything. I have to go,” I say before hanging up the phone with a huff.

I’m not exactly sure what on god”s green earth makes the man think I’d help him, considering he’s done nothing but belittle me my whole life, but his brain seems to work differently to others. To him I’m just a pawn, that doesn’t stop now that he’s sold me off. No, he now thinks he can use me to spy on the New York outfit. Hopefully if I keep dodging his questions, he’ll eventually give up, I’m done being his little puppet.

Deciding to be open with Luca, I make my way down to the gym, where I find him sat on the bench lifting weights. He’s facing away from me, only wearing a pair of loose-fitting shorts. I can see the muscles on his back rippling with each rep. The tattoos on his back glistening from sweat. He’s so fucking hot, my core tightens, and my panties grow wetter for every second I stand here staring at him.

How can one man turn me on so much? I’ve never once gotten wet from the sight of a man alone. Hell, in the past, the men I’ve been with have had to work me up to get me ready for them. Whereas Luca could just glance in my direction with his heated eyes, cocky smirk and I’d be gushing, ready to take his dick, no work necessary.

I clear my throat, announcing him to my presence and making him turn his head to look at me.