Page 45 of Mafia Heiress
I give him a smile because he is my obvious choice. He's everything a princess wants, but he's also a condescendingstronzoand I could just imagine all the fights we'd get into, and all the makeup sex.
"You'd think that, wouldn't you? I'm surprised you fit through that door with your ego the size that it is."
This gets the other two laughing and eases some tension. Something I now realize, that's what he was trying to do all along. After what we went through, it’s hard to imagine something less, one of us not being here. We’ve bonded in a way.
"He's right though, Jack. We've been at this for a month. We all like you, and I think you like us. But with only one more month till the wedding it's time to decide," Dante says. He's all business first, especially with the guys here. Although imagining him with no shirt on and playing with me again is definitely something I want another piece of.
"I have a proposition for you all. And I want to explain it in full before you jump down my throat."
"I've been waiting to jump down your throat for weeks, I can wait a bit longer," Ciro drawls, his eyes lowered as he takes in my Bodycon dress. Navy blue with a low neckline and a cap sleeve. It’s my armor. I’m a beautiful woman, and most men can’t resist a nice dress. A strategy my grandmother taught me. Lead their eyes away and they’ll give you what you want. I hope she’s right.
"Real smooth, asshole," Dante says, taking a seat. He grabs a glass from the table and pours me some water, placing it in front of me.
"Hey, we're not all stuck-up suits like you are. I know how to live on the wild side," Ciro quips. His playful words have me loosening the knot in my stomach a bit.
I clear my throat. Now or never, Jack. "We find ourselves in a very peculiar situation. As far as I know, no one in the family has even had a competition to gain a husband. I'm sure there have been men who fought for the spot you are currently in, but it's never been up to the woman to decide."
Understanding is plain on their faces, so I continue on. "I value all of you differently. Dante, you bring stability and security. With your high-paying job and home, we could really pull off appearances. A regular socialite couple."
He smiles at me like he's just won the lotto. I'm sure it's going to be wiped away with what I have to say next.
"Marcello, you are strong and protective. Your job allows you to keep tabs on people for the family. Make sure things go in our favor. You'd be an asset as well, except I don't think the government would allow the marriage. You'd lose your job."
He goes to object to my words, but I hold up my hand. If I don’t get this out, I never will. "Ciro, you’re the dangerous one, but you know the family well. You've got a special place in my father's heart and he trusts you. But you're a loose cannon. You're hot-headed, impulsive, and arrogant. Your job is messy, and it could bring me down."
This shuts up the playboy. A scowl appears, and his hands tighten at his side. He's pissed.
"Now for the part you all aren't going to like." I take a deep breath and grab the glass in front of me. I take a big sip of the water and sit the glass down. Playing with the condensation on the side of the glass I look each of them in the eye.
"I think we should all be together, as a unit."
Ciro's laughter causes my face to heat up. This was a risk, telling them I feel this way, but there is no other solution unless they choose to leave.
"You want us to be what? One big happy family. Are you expecting me to fuck one of these schmucks? Sweetheart, that may be how some people play, but I'm not one of them. If you don't want me, tell me now and I'll walk out that door." Ciro’s voice is menacing. He’s not used to a strong woman who knows what she wants.
Steadying myself and pulling my shoulders high I address them formally. "My decision is for all of you. And here is the reason why. I can't marry Ciro or Marcello. Their jobs and lifestyles are too risky. Dante is the safest bet, but he doesn't have what it takes to be the husband to the next Don. I need strong and capable men. I need Ciro for my muscle and Marcello so we can be one step ahead. And it has to be locked into a relationship because I'm going to need the best around me when I take over. The best is all of you."
Silence comes over the room as the three of them stare at me. I squirm in my seat and bite my lip. If they don't go for this, I'm fucked. I'll look like a fool in front of everyone. No wedding, and no future. Dad will never let me have a second round.
"You want to marry Dante, and keep us on the side?" Marcello questions, eyebrows raised and with a mask of confusion. This is definitely something they aren't used to. I'm not even used to it, but I got the idea from a book I read. Girl with multiple men. She needed each of them and they all seemed to understand that.
"Not on the side. But as partners. I'm going to be the next Don." My voice is hard as I stare each of them down, daring them to challenge me. It’s unheard of, but I don’t plan to end this life without making a splash. I am my father’s daughter.
"A female can't be a Don," Dante mumbles. It's a lot to take in.
"This female can. And I can do it with three capable men by my side. I'm not asking for you to fuck each other, I'm asking you to submit to me so we can take this all over when my father retires. Everything will be ours to run as we see fit. There's a lot of power that comes with standing by my side, and it's your choice if you want it. It’s not like you didn’t pay enough for the chance."
"Your fucking nuts," Ciro exclaims. He gets up from his seat and moves to the doors. My heart plummets. I close my eyes, holding back the tears I didn’t know were possible.
When he pushes the doors open and calls out to the wait staff, "Get me a bottle of Jack, four glasses, and a bottle of ..." He turns to me, asking silently.
"Cafe Patron." He gives me a look of disgust but relays the message. Relief floods through me as I take a deep breath. That was close.
"I'm going to have to be a little wrecked for the rest of this conversation, because what you're suggesting isn't going to only upset the old ladies who go to church. It's going to turn the whole hierarchy upon its head. We're going to be knee-deep in wars, and it's not going to be because you're fucking the three of us."
I exhale, studying him. As much as I'd like to punch him for talking to me like that, the thought of fucking him till he comes inside of me makes my core heat up.
"He's right," Marcello adds. "Everyone in New York is going to be after you for your territory. Not just the other families, but the gangs, the MCs, and any others that see an easy target. They're going to think you're weak and attempt to move in on your territory."
