Page 4 of His to Break

“Yes. My father wants me to marry Umberto Gallo. You know, the octogenarian who rules over one of the most immoral families in Chicago. He wants me to give him more sons.”

The old creep is also a cousin of my father’s, which makes the whole thing even more depraved. Antonio, apparently sharing my disgust, wrinkles his nose.

“An unfortunate predicament, certainly.” His expression has smoothed over once more. “But it doesn’t answer my question. Why one of my brothers?”

Now I see what he’s getting at. He doesn’t want to know why I’m looking for a husband, but why I singled out his family.

“Why not? They’re young, rich, handsome. If I must have some man I don’t love grunting on top of me each night, why not pick one who’s nice to look at?”

To my surprise, Leo bursts out laughing. Antonio ignores him.

“Your view of sex seems somewhat pessimistic, Miss Bianchi. Are you a virgin?”

This may be a deal breaker for men like these, but I won’t start a relationship, business or otherwise, with a lie. “No, I’m not.”

Three sets of near identical eyes flick in Benny’s direction. Seriously? Do they think I’d parade a former lover in front of them?

“No, it wasn’t Beniamino who claimed my virginity.”

“So who is he?”

“His name is Beniamino Rossi. He works for me.” That’s not the whole story. Apart from my brother, Benny is the only person I truly love in this world. Telling the Volantes that would give them leverage over me, so I don’t reveal our friendship. “He’s been very loyal. If you agree to my proposition, I’d ask that he be allowed to remain in my service.”

Antonio shakes his head. “If I agree to this, you will be provided with guards of my choosing.”

I don’t like the sound of that, but I’m not in a position to argue.

“He isn’t my guard.” Considering the muscles on Benny, I can see why they’d make that assumption, but despite his size he’s a teddy bear. “I don’t think he’s ever so much as hit a man, never mind killed one.”

“Non mi piace la violenza,” Benny mutters. He doesn’t like confrontation of any kind. That he chose to come here with me shows his dedication to me because he’s not equipped to deal with men like these.

“If he’s not your bodyguard, what is he?”

I lift my chin, daring one of them to laugh. “He’s my personal chef.”

To my relief, none of them make fun of Benny. Leo, however, scowls at me. “You came to meet the head of one of the most ruthless families in North America with only a personal chef for protection?” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Are you even safe to be out of the house?”

Now I’m the one to cast a dark look at him. “I knew I wouldn’t need protection because everyone knows your brother is an honorable man. He wouldn’t hurt an innocent woman. Had I known you were here, I would have come here with a fucking army at my back.”

Leo doesn’t like the implication I consider him to be lacking in honor. He folds his arms across his chest and glowers at me. “The fuck does that mean?”

“Work it out, Neanderthal, or are you too stupid to realize your reputation for violence and immorality wafts ahead of you like a bad smell?”

“Immorality?”

I notice he doesn’t take exception to my accusation of violence. “Yes, immorality. Is there a woman in the state you haven’t fucked yet?”

Leo’s lip curls into a snarl. “Only you, sweetheart.”

Before I can come up with a clever response to that, Antonio abruptly pushes to his feet. Shit! Have I blown this? Men like them don’t like to be challenged. I should have been more submissive.

“Signore Volante…” I hate the pleading tone in my voice.

Antonio holds a hand up to stop me from speaking. “My brothers and I need a moment to discuss this. Wait here.”

As the brothers file from the room, tears prick my eyes. I look up at Benny. “I made a mess of that.”

He shrugs. “I wish you did not have to do this. If I had more than my mother’s cannoli recipe to offer, I would marry you in a heartbeat and save you from this fate.”

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