Ana
It didn’t take Doc long to verify that my vitals are at safe levels. He offered me a pill at the end and stipulated that I could have it if I drank a packaged protein beverage with it. The mood stabilizer was a low dose, but with the promise that the relief it would offer would be much milder than what he gave me last night, I couldn’t resist.
Downing the protein drink helped my stomach feel fuller, and the small pill was easy enough to take. Doc planned to stay overnight again, and he encouraged me to seek him out if I started to experience any concerning symptoms.
Now sitting in Dante’s office with Apollo and Dmitri present, I don’t feel as foggy as before. Whether it’s the medicine or the food kicking in, I’m not sure. All I know is I want to hear what these men have to say.
“So…” I start, feeling awkward. “You have a plan?”
“We do,” Dante confirms. “I apologize, but it may be a lot to digest.”
With a helpless shrug, I reply, “I don’t mind.”
I truly don’t. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do to resolve this situation—to hopefully begin recovering from it, at the very least.
“We’re going to help you, Ana,” Dante continues, his promise firm. “But with the… politics of it all, there’s something we need to do first.”
“A legitimate connection needs to be forged,” Apollo adds, speaking more plainly. “Friendship only creates so much trust when it comes to things like this.”
Both men are choosing their words wisely, but even with new medicine coursing through my veins, I’m picking up what they’re putting down.
“You want to arrange a marriage,” I guess quietly. “To me, I assume? So that someone can run The Kings while Killian is recovering, and no one suspects foul play on your end?”
Marriage is the oldest and most respected method of forging relationships between mafias. It creates a bond nearly as good as blood. Family is a language that all made men speak.
“At least she’s smart,” Apollo says under his breath.
Dante makes a low noise in his throat at his son before giving me a soft smile followed by a nod. “Exactly. A marriage is what we have in mind. I understand it may be a difficult time—”
“I’ll do it,” I interrupt, decision made.
It’s a sensible idea, and it’s not like I have many other options. I don’t just need to stay safe, I need to make whoever is responsible for upending my life pay. I want justice for Cole. Cold and bloody justice.
Who better to help me with such a task than a Moretti husband?
Dante blinks, appearing shocked. “I don’t want you to feel like we’re forcing this on you, Ana. Especially while you don’t have Killian or Bron here to advocate for your contract terms. But I’m afraid I don’t see another way.”
It’s not ideal… Even so, he’s right. The Kings need to be preserved. In order for that to happen, the men will need a leader to trust. My husband would be the best option to step in, especially if he were a Moretti.
Of course, I need to be protected as well. Whoever did this to my family left me alive, but to hurt me. They wanted me to live with the pain of what they did, and that doesn’t mean they won’t come back to finish me off. Maybe they’ll even come for Killian, if they’ve found out that he’s still breathing. God, they better not.
Killian has to wake up, and when he does, I want his organization to be alive. He deserves to take his place on the throne—he’s worked his whole life for it. He’s lost enough without losing his birthright on top of it all.
“I agree,” I tell them, fiddling with my hands while trying not to pick at my cuticles. “A marriage is the most logical option. Dmitri can advocate for me for the contract.” Turning to the man in question, I wince. “I mean, if that’s okay with you?”
“I can do that,” he agrees easily.
I let out a silent breath and nod. Jade’s husband won’t allow me to sign something against my best interest.
“Um, did you have someone in mind?”
“We do,” Dante says cagily. “Due to the nature of the situation, only a few matches made sense. The Kings need a leader, temporary or otherwise. I’m sure you can see why Matteo is not an option.”
He’s too young and nice to be respected by a bunch of gangster strangers. He won’t intimidate anyone the way some of his older brothers might.
“I understand.”
“My first thought was Apollo,” Dante continues. “He’s in the highest position of power, and likely to be accepted as Monarch easily. But Apollo needs an heir, sooner rather than later.”
I swallow hard.
Dante looks sympathetic. “I don’t want that to be a requirement for your marriage, Ana. So it’s not the best fit, but if you believe you want that choice, you have it.”
“I won’t love you, it would be a business arrangement,” Apollo says, almost startling me. “Try to keep that in mind.”
“You’re giving me choices?” I realize, eyes widening in surprise.
“Three of them,” Dante says.
Wow.
That’s… thoughtful?
He continues, “Cassio makes the most sense.”
Cassio? I have to hide a bewildered look.
Cassio is a widow who I’ve never even seen smile. The man lost his wife and son in childbirth two years ago. How can he be the perfect fit? He probably loathes the idea!
“He’s an advisor and strategist, which makes him perfect for temporary leadership. You both have lost greatly and I assume, are not ready for a relationship?”
“Definitely not,” I confirm, relieved that he’s being so realistic about it.
“So there would be no pressure in that area. You’d be roommates and friends. He’ll take care of you and the Kings. He’s agreed to the arrangement if you pick him.”
He did!?
Holy shit.
“And the last one?” I rasp.
Dante lets out a breath. “This arrangement would never be more than platonic and is being offered only because we believe you may feel the safest this way.”
Intense…
“But I’ll marry you if it’s what you choose, Ana. I’m old enough to be your father so believe me when I say I will not pursue you romantically. I would step down as Capo, putting Apollo in my place while I took Killian’s.
Holy. Bleeding. Fuck.
Dante notes my surprise and continues. “The community would—”
“Accuse you of being evil,” I burst out, so shocked that he knows that and is still offering.
Men who respect him would freak out if he married a woman his daughter’s age. They’d see him as some old perv. Yes, age gaps are common in this world but ten to fifteen years max, not over thirty!
I start to get choked up. “I can’t believe you’re willing to do that.”
“I think you’ll find that there are few things I wouldn’t do for my daughter,” Dante replies gently. “In any case, we’ll need to act quickly. The ceremony should be here with witnesses. It will be small and fast, but necessary. The last thing we need now is accusations of some sort of plot.”
A different kind of plot, he means. He doesn’t want it to look like The Morettis are trying to take over The Kings.
Because this marriage can be an arranged deal—plenty of mafia marriages are—but it needs to be one forged without a hint of bad blood.
“We’ll give you some time with your advocate,” Apollo says, gracefully standing up while buttoning his suit jacket. “Try to pick your husband and how you’re comfortable with the marriage going. We’ll negotiate as a group from there.”
“Okay,” I respond, attempting not to sound nervous.
Apollo leaves the room without another word, but Dante offers a soft squeeze to my shoulder on his way out. His reassuring eyes let me know that everything is going to be fine… eventually.
Once the door latches shut, I turn to my friend’s husband. Dmitri isn’t a man that’s easily read. He’s an expert at concealing his feelings. It should be unnerving, but I’ve seen him with Jade. I know he isn’t as cold and unaffected as he tends to appear.
“I don’t know where to start,” I admit. I keep my voice low and small, refusing to let emotion clog my throat.
“That’s okay,” he assures me. “We can start small. Do you have any questions about being arranged? I know you aren’t as new to the world as Jade is, but I’m sure there are things you’re worried about.”
Because I was never meant to be arranged. I know it, and he knows it.
When Bron fell in love with my mother four years ago, she refused to marry him unless he promised to let me find love on my own as well. In fact, he made a very public proclamation at their wedding that he wouldn’t entertain offers for my hand.
Wiping my clammy hands down on my thighs, I try not to grimace. “If I picked Apollo, how soon do you think we’d have to have a baby?”
“Honestly?”
“Please.”
“Being pregnant within the next year would be best, if not expected.”
My stomach flips with discomfort.
“You don’t think they’ll be insulted if I pick a different option, do you?”
“Because he’s the heir?” Dmitri shakes his head. “Apollo won’t view this as a rejection. He isn’t pursuing you for his own needs or desires.”
I breathe out, relief washing over me.
“Okay, no Apollo then.”
“For what it’s worth, I think that’s a good choice,” he replies amicably.
“It’s worth a lot, actually,” I admit. “I’m worried that I’m not in the best state to make decisions.”
Nodding sympathetically, Dmitri sits straighter in his seat. “That’s what I’m here for, Ana. I hold no stake in your marriage outside of making sure you’re in a situation that you feel happiest in. The Morozovs stand to gain nothing from this. I’m only here for my wife.”
Trying not to let his words choke me up, I nod and sniff away the sentiment. “Who do you think I should pick? Like, if you were me, what would you do?”
His eyes scan mine as he contemplates his answer. “Dante’s offer is an attractive one. He’ll assure your safety like you’re one of his own. The Kings likely won’t protest him stepping in while Killian recovers.”
Dmitri hesitates to continue.
“But?”
“But he’s fifty,” he deadpans. “And you’ll be bound to him until death. Meaning unless he’s killed, you’ll be in a loveless marriage until you’re into your forties. I know the idea of that may not seem so bad now, but it will in the future.”
I swallow, nodding as I digest his words.
Can I live like that? For decades?
Looking down at my lap, I absently pick at my chipped nail polish. “You don’t think it will be a loveless marriage with Cassio, too?”
Cassio lost his wife and his newborn baby years ago now, but you don’t just get over that. No matter how much time passes.
“I know that it will be with Dante,” Dmitri counters. “I’m not sure how things will progress with Cassio as I’m not especially close with him. I do know that he’s a good man. Eventually, his grief will lessen.”
I’m not so sure that it will.
And still, I think he’s right. Cassio might be the only logical choice.
“Jade would be livid if I didn’t also mention, a marriage isn’t your only choice. Though, she’s unaware we’re currently discussing this.”
So, they didn’t tell her their plan. I’m not surprised. Men typically try to keep non-inducted women out of “business” talks.
Confused, I scrunch my nose. “What do you mean?”
He sighs. “I mean, as annoying and dangerous as it would be, a hostile takeover is doable.”
My eyes must double in size, flaring open wide.
“You can’t be serious.”
“I didn’t say it was advisable,” he replies with a shrug. “But if you want the Kingdom to be yours while we wait for Killian, we can take it in a much less agreeable manner.”
Physically, he means.
War, he means.
Swallowing, I shake my head. “I don’t want people to die.”
And people would die. Anyone opposing my position of power would need to be eliminated. Good men with families… no, I can’t.
His lips twitch on either side. “Spoken like a true mafia princess.”
“Princess,” I agree begrudgingly. “I don’t want to be a queen, Dmitri. I don’t want the responsibility of running a Kingdom of any kind. It’s not supposed to be mine.”
Maybe if I was born a Knight, I might feel differently. But I’m only in this family because my mother fell for a man with an Empire. An Empire I cherish and appreciate, but not one I want to rule over. That’s always been Killian and Cole’s job.
“So, Cassio,” Dmitri muses. “You’re sure?”
I’m not sure about anything.
But this is what I’m going to do anyway.
“Yes,” I say with an exhale. “How does this work?”
“The contract is just a guideline,” he begins to explain easily. “Basic expectations, requirements, and such. It really isn’t difficult. Would it be easiest if I ask you direct questions?”
I nod eagerly at the suggestion. I don’t even care that he can tell how obviously nervous I am.
“Please.”
“Moretti marriages all come with a fidelity clause,” he prefaces, opening up a spare notebook and beginning to write. “Both you and Cassio will be bound by it after your vows. Neither of you are free to seek out lovers. Are you comfortable consenting to that?”
“Definitely,” I confirm immediately. If I’m going to be married, I’m not going to have my husband with other women—marriage of convenience or not.
He jots something down and nods. “Good. I assume you’ll be living together in New York until Killian is fit to rule again. Where you settle afterward can be negotiated. Do you have a preference I should note?”
I shrug. “I don’t think so. Should I?”
“It’s meant to be more of a deal-breaker thing,” Dmitri clarifies. “Essentially, could you only be happy living somewhere specific? Do you have a location in mind?”
I hum in understanding. “As long as we’re a short flight from our families, I’m okay with anywhere.”
“Got it,” he notes. “Any questions so far?”
“Do we have to consummate?” I blurt out, my face burning up as the words leave my mouth. “I-I just know that some families are very strict about it…”
I’ve heard some arranged marriage horror stories over the past couple of years. Every mafia princess has.
“That can be negotiated as well,” Dmitri answers diplomatically.
“Can it?” I ask in disbelief.
“Officially speaking, no one is going to force you into anything,” he assures me. “However, if you’re asking for advice, I’d say you should. Consummation makes your marriage official. No one will respect your union if they know it to be false. If you don’t want to, there is always the option to lie. No one is going to check that you’ve slept with your husband.”
“But you think I should?” I verify.
“I think it’s not difficult to point out a man who has never seen his wife naked,” he replies gently. “I believe the safest bet for you and Cassio is to appear to be in love. At least in front of The Kingsmen. If not in love, in a caring friendship.”
“You don’t want them to think I’m being forced into this since Cole is gone,” I summarize. “Because of our… relationship.”
“It would be best, yes,” he agrees. “But like I said, no one will force you. Ever. Consummation doesn’t need to be immediate, either.”
“No,” I finally say. “I think we should do it and get it over with. I don’t want there to be any reason for us to be questioned. I just want everything to be okay again.”
“We’ll add a consummation clause then,” he states casually. “Consent required, of course. If you change your mind, we’ll take it off the table.”
“Thank you,” I breathe out. “For understanding.”
“It’s not a problem, Ana.” He tries to offer a reassuring smile, but it doesn’t do much to quell the natural nervousness building in my gut. “Moving on…”
