Page 6 of Virtuous Lies

“Would you do that, Bianca?” Lorenzo asks, mirth threading through his question. “Would you spread your legs for the family as an occupation like you did for Roberto?”

I release a shaky breath. I work to meet my father’s eyes, but he keeps them lowered, refusing to acknowledge the disrespect his boss is lacing me with.

The sound of a glass being placed forcefully on a table pulls my attention, and I look at Vincent. The harshness in his stare has me wanting to look away, but I can’t. His eyes are so blue you could mistake them for silver. The color of a wolf, ready to rip you apart.

He’s angered, and I can appreciate that. His brother has just been murdered.

“No,” Lorenzo speaks again, breaking the trance Vincent and I were caught in. “It’s a waste, though. You’d earn us good money.” He smirks. “But while you disrespect meandyour father, I wouldn’t do the same to him.”

“Th—”

Leo holds up a finger to silence me, and I eat my words.

“Salvatore will not have you,” Lorenzo tells me with an exaggerated sigh. “I wouldn’t disrespect him by even asking. But you will be married.”

“I will?”

“Mm,” he answers, his gaze lazy as it tracks over my body in appreciation.

Lorenzo came to power early. Not yet thirty and already the ruthless leader of the New York family. A mere ten years older than me, yet in his presence, I feel like a child.

“You are of no value to me anymore, Bianca.” He pouts. “Lucky for you, Vincent was gracious enough to agree to a union with you.”

I startle, my eyes seeking Vincent’s once again.

“What?No.”

“No?” Lorenzo echoes, the cut in his voice as sharp as a knife. “You fucked oneconsigliere, so why not his replacement?”

I look at Vincent in shock. He’s looking every bit of the enforcer that he is. A man dedicated to violence; one who bends others to his will through threats and beatings.

“You have no choice, Bianca. You’re a whore, or you are Vincent’s wife.”

Leo laughs. “Sounds the same to me.”

Vincentalmostsmirks, his lips twisting, and I want to spit at his feet. I’m supposed to be his future wife, and hesmirksat the thought of me as a whore.

“Papa?” I rush forward.

Vincent is no better than his brother. From the rumors, he’s worse.

VincentNecktieFerrari.

A killer, one who garrottes his victims.

“You will do as you are told, Bianca.”

“And what of Caterina?”

My father stands abruptly. “You have no right to ask questions.”

I stumble backward straight into Vincent’s hard chest. He steadies me, palms to my upper arms, and I skitter forward, escaping his granite body.

Our eyes snare, and I drop my gaze immediately, but not quick enough to miss the amused arch of his eyebrow at my panic.

“Your sister will take your place. She will be offered to Salvatore. Let’s hope like fuck he accepts.” Lorenzo stands.

He takes a step toward the door, pausing to turn back to me. “Did you do it?”

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