Page 11 of Forgive Me, Father

One in security, the other in the entertainment business, usually drugs.

Fuck, Noah Santore had vision.That I had to give to the old man.I would have to tell them how Victor DaCosta deceived and lied to him for years.

They deserved the annihilation along with the Delucas.We needed new blood.It was something Nunno had said, and my father had promised he would look into it, trying his best to get new blood into the inner circle.

But my dad was a fucking pussy too.I had the proof right here in this file.Something he should never have missed.

I chucked the file into my drawer.I knew everything I needed to know to make her my wife.Now the ball was in her court, and I vowed I wouldn’t show her how badly I wanted this merger.

FIVE

THE LITTLE RUNAWAY

Nico tookme to the spare room and closed the door behind me.He didn’t even ask if I wanted something to drink.

The room was obnoxiously big and my heart started to stammer.Nothing felt secondary as I tried to take in the glittering skyline, spilling golden city lights across the polished floors through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A bed dressed in crisp white linen and a charcoal throw against a wall of matte black paneling looked inviting, and I realized just how tired I was.

Who would’ve thought running away from your own wedding could be this exhausting?

I sat down on the edge as my heart still beat like a drum.I had no idea who Alfonso was or where in the Sovereign circle he belonged.He was undeniably gorgeous, and I was certain that if he held a higher position, I would’ve recognized his face by now.But I didn’t.Which meant he couldn’t be that high up, right?Then again, there were many Don families.Countless tiers, and at least a hundred families per tier.

My father was living in a fantasy, thinking that he could make the inner circle notice us.

I skimmed through the contract and realized that Alfonso must have contemplated this for days because it was a solid contract.

It carried the date, but not the names.His last name was missing, as well as all of mine.There were open spaces for us to write down that information, along with our addresses.

Again, his was open.But I knew he spoke Italian, meaning he could be of the Italian Dons.They were of a higher class than the American Dons, at least in father’s opinion, which was a plus for me.

I wondered what my father was going through.He didn’t really deserve this at all, me rebelling against this merger, but what else could I do?Philip had broken me.He’d shattered my soul, and who knew, maybe this new merger might make his fantasy come true even faster.

Alfonso definitely radiated Don energy, but the number under his left eye made me pause.The Dons rarely got their hands dirty, men like Nico handled that for them, and Nico didn’t bear the mark.So, what did that make Alfonso?Was he a Don’s bodyguard?The thought alone sent a chill through me.My father would lose his mind if that were the case.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts and looked back down at the contract.Next to date of marriage ceremony, there was TBA.The location, he’d left that open as well.

Section three was the declaration.This was the only part I was interested in, as it was where I would learn what he wanted and what I would get in return.

Clause One: Legal Capacity and Intent

Both Parties affirm that they are legally free to marry, having no existing marital obligations or legal impediments.The Parties acknowledge their full understanding of the legal responsibilities, rights, and consequences conferred by marriage.This clause is entered into by mutual consent, and with full recognition that, while the marriage may be based on business considerations, the choice to enter into it is voluntary and without coercion.

That wasn’t a lie.This was my choice.

Clause Two: Mutual Support and Obligation

The Parties agree to support one another within the bounds of marriage, both emotionally and materially, as reasonably expected under the law and as personally negotiated herein.Responsibilities and rights will be shared in good faith and as outlined in the provisions of this Agreement.

What responsibilities?I turned the page and the responsibilities followed.

Responsibilities:

The wife shall remain loyal to the husband in all circumstances, both public and private.

The wife is obligated to fulfill her duties as the spouse of a Don, adhering to all expectations and responsibilities associated with that role.

My throat closed.He was a Don.

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