Page 8 of Of Oaths and Secrets

Leo just smirks, leaning back in his chair with a nonchalance that infuriates me. “Don’t worry, brother. I’ll charm her socks off if it makes you happy. But let’s not kid ourselves. If she’s as plain as she sounds, this isn’t going to be some fairy-tale romance.”

“Fairy tales aren’t real,” I reply quietly, more to myself than to him. “But that doesn’t mean you have to make this a nightmare.”

Leo shrugs, clearly uninterested in my perspective. To him, this is just another arrangement, another obligation to fulfill before he can get back to his hedonistic lifestyle.

“Enough with all of this. Be here tonight at eight.”

Leo stands up. “You’re giving me the club.”

My father nods.

“You have yourself a deal, old man.” He turns and winks at me. “See you tonight. I can’t wait to see my fiancée.”

“Wait, Rafaele, we need to talk,” my father interjects just as I turn to follow Leo out of the office. “Close the door and take a seat.”

I glance at my brother, who sneers as I close the door behind him. I used to feel bad for Leo, for how our father often ostracized him. But not anymore. I know how little he cares about the family and his duties—all that matters to Leo is enjoying life on his own terms. Despite everything and Paolo’s constant reminders, I keep enabling him because, in the end, it’s easier that way.

I take a deep breath and turn toward my father, who simply jerks his head at the seat across from him as he lights up his cigar.

I sit and wait as he takes a long puff, the silence thick with unspoken words.

“So,” he starts, staring at me with that familiar, unreadable expression.

“So?” I repeat, already feeling a flicker of irritation. This is my father’s method of conducting an interrogation—silent, drawn-out stares designed to make you squirm. It might have been effective when I was fifteen, but now, it’s just downright annoying.

“You didn’t tell me your brother didn’t help at the warehouse,” he finally says.

“You didn’t ask,” I reply, waving my hand dismissively. “Leo is Leo. It would have taken longer and been more painful to have him in my way. I accomplished what I wanted. What’s the point?”

He shakes his head, his expression hardening. “It’s his duty.”

I’m not in the mood for this never-ending argument again. “Are you really going to give him Lace?”

My father shrugs, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “The club isn’t a critical asset, but it’s a test for Leo—a chance to prove he can handle responsibility. And if he fails, well, it’s better that he fails here, under our watch, than elsewhere.”

He nudges the cigar box toward me—a gesture that’s more significant than it seems. Sharing a cigar with my father is his way of showing respect, a rare acknowledgment that I’m not just his son but also his equal.

I take a cigar from the box, rolling it between my fingers. “What about this marriage? How did that even happen?”

He takes another long puff, contemplating his words before answering. “Maurizio Falcone saved me a long time ago, during the old days when things were more… unstable. I was in a tight spot, and he took the proverbial bullet for me. I swore then that I’d repay him, no matter what.”

“And now, his daughter needs a husband,” I say, understanding dawning on me.

He nods. “She’s not just any daughter. She’s his only child, his pride and joy. He wants to ensure she’s taken care of and that she marries into a strong family. That’s where you and Leo come in.”

I take a moment to absorb this. Maurizio Falcone is not that big of a name around here. If this is how my father plans to repay his debt, then it must have been big because it’s a move with far-reaching consequences.

“She’s a good girl, from what I’ve heard. She’s smart, well-educated, and knows how to keep her head down. We could do worse as far as daughters-in-law are concerned. Knowing your brother, it’s only a matter of time before we’re dealing with some hooker he knocks up, and he’ll end up marrying her. The Falcone girl is the best we could hope for.”

I light the cigar, taking a slow draw as I consider the implications. “You know she’s going to pick Leo, right?”

My father grins. “Of course I do. That’s why I agreed. You are the real Lucchese, Rafaele, and she’s the daughter of a senior soldato. It’s not that impressive. Who cares about her children with Leo? We’ll find you someone good. A real Italian girl from one of the original famiglia in Sicily.”

I nod slowly despite the wave of disgust that crawls over my skin at the thought. The idea of being paired off like livestock, of having my life planned out to such a degree, fills me with a quiet revulsion I’ve learned to keep buried.

“We all know how this is going to end. Do I really need to join them? I have to finish what I started with Sofia’s husband.”

“Yes, you have to,” my father insists, his tone leaving no room for argument. “One night won’t change anything, and your cousin is back on her leash. You’ll be there, and you’ll do your duty.”

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