Mafia Sisters' Betrothals

Luciana POV My sisters and I make our way to our father's office. It's not the first time we have been summoned to join him, but something about this time feels different. If he had just sent Fredrick, his right-hand man, for me then I would say it was about me graduating from university, but he didn't. It's still surreal that I've finished my schooling. I was shocked when my father insisted that all three of his daughters would be attending college. The old school Italian men aren't exactly known for making women independent, but I should have known better. Despite my father being the Don of Don's, he has always treated me and my sisters like we were his most precious gift. He never insisted we be seen and not heard. He taught us that our opinions mattered. Most men in his position would have been upset not to have a male heir, but instead my father embraced it. Unlike most mafia men, my father has been faithful to my mother since the day he accepted her as his bride. My mother wasn't a typical betrothed. Her father and my grandfather were best friends growing up. He was a simple businessman who had no part in our world. I can't imagine what a shock it was for my mother when she realized exactly what my father was. Despite that, they fell deeply in love and my father treats her like his queen. I can only hope one day I will find a man that will treat me just as well. We reach my father's door and I knock firmly. "Come in," he calls out. I push the door open and step inside. I'm shocked to see my mother sitting by his side. As I step further into the room, I notice the worry on my mother's face. "Have a seat, my principessas," he says. I take the seat closest to my mother and my sisters sit next to me on a small love seat. "Look how beautiful our daughters are, Cecilia. Any man is going to be lucky to call them their bride," he says. Something in his words has a feeling of unease washing over me. "They are the most beautiful girls I've ever seen," she says, but there is a sadness in her eyes when they meet mine. "Thank you, we look like you mama." My mother offers me a soft smile. "Very true. You would be very ugly girls if you looked like me," my father says with a chuckle. "Alberto," my mother says my father's name like she is whispering a prayer. He takes her hand and squeezes it. "It's alright, my love. I know you are worried, but this is how it has to be," he says. Despite how softly the words are spoken, they are clearly a warning to my mother of the decision he has made. "Now my loves, I have called you here to discuss the future. Luciana we couldn't be prouder that you have graduated with your business degree at the top of your class. We wanted you to have the chance to experience college and be independent, but now it's time to do what is expected of you as a daughter of our family," he says. The three of us sit quietly waiting for whatever bomb my father is about to drop. "Luciana, we will be having lunch this afternoon in the large dining room. I expect the three of you to attend. I'd like you to wear one of the fancier dresses I bought you. We have very important guests joining us. Marco Caruso and his son, Enzo, will be joining us," he says. "Why do I feel like I'm being put on display for our guests," I ask. Not trying to be disrespectful but wanting to know what the hell is going on. "Always so smart. This lunch is an opportunity for you to meet your betrothed," he says. "I'm sorry I couldn't have heard you correctly. My what?" "You heard me perfectly well, Luciana. I have given you a good life and a lot more freedom than most girls in our type of life experiences, but this isn't up for discussion. You have always made me proud, and I expect that this will be no different. Enzo is a good man and will be a good leader to his family when he takes over. He is going to be the head of his family very soon. He needs a strong woman to lead by his side. A woman that understands the pressures and dealings of our world," he says. "I do not want to marry a man I do not love, let alone one I do not even know." "Are you in love with a man right now," he asks already knowing the answer. "As you well know, I am not. I have not had the opportunity to search for love because I was focused on my studies, but now" I start to say, but he cuts me off. "Now, you will have the chance to fall in love with Enzo Caruso. An arranged marriage can be a great one. Look at me and your mother. I haven't looked at another woman since the moment I was told by your grandfather that she was to be mine. We didn't love each other at first, but it grew into a deep love," he says, looking at my mother. "Every man in our world isn't like you papa." "Enough, this isn't up for discussion. I love you principessa, but you will do your duty and become Enzo's wife," he says, effectively ending our conversation. I look at my sisters, who both look horrified but are trying their best to hide it. He immediately turns to them. "The same will be expected of both of you. Once you finish your schooling, you will get married as well," he says. Gia looks like she is ready to burst into tears but Viviana, who is the baby, is on the verge of losing it. Before either can open their mouth, he raises his hand to stop them. "Go get ready for lunch. Do not be late," he says. I'm out of my seat and heading for the door despite my mother saying my name. How could he do this to us? I take the stairs two at a time until I reach my room. I push the door open with my sisters on my heels. Once we are all inside, Viviana slams the door. "I love papa, but f**k him. I'm not marrying some man so he can keep a handle on his empire," she says. Gia and I are both shocked at her outburst. She is definitely the most outspoken out of the three of us, but she has always been a daddy's girl. Well honestly, we all have. I think that's why this hurts so much more. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect him to do this to us. I know it worked out for him and our mother, but that doesn't mean that it will be the same for us. A lot of the men in our world are a**holes who think with their d*cks and believe women are possessions. I want to honor our family, but I want to marry for love. Viviana is pacing when a soft knock sounds on the door. I know immediately it's our mother. I don't know if I'm ready to face her, but I don't really have a choice. I cross the room and open the door. Her expression is unreadable. "Viviana and Giavaya, I would like to speak to your sister alone. I will come to your rooms when I'm done." It was definitely not a request and my sisters both hug me before leaving the room. My mother crosses the room and takes a seat at my vanity. "Luciana, please sit down." I do as she asks. Sitting on the bed across from her. She takes a deep breath before she speaks. "I know you're upset and angry. I can't say I'm thrilled either, but your father has provided us a good life," she says. I go to speak but she raises her hand to stop me. "I love your father deeply and, though I don't agree with his orders, he is the head of this family. He loves you and your sisters more than his own life. I trust that he would pick young men that will treat you with the respect you deserve." "What if the man he has picked doesn't, mama? What if he is a ba**ard who cheats and mistreats me? Am I to grin and bear it so as not to embarrass the Rizzo name? You know men of this world." She looks toward the heavens before she looks back at me. "I will speak to your father about your concerns. All I ask for today is you do as your father asks and join us for lunch," she says. I nod fighting the urge to cry. My mother stands and I expect her to leave me alone in my misery, but instead she pulls me into her arms. "As much as I love your father, you girls are my life. I will never allow you to live a life of misery. Please believe me, my little love" she says. She hasn't called me that since I was a small child. The tears I was fighting run down my cheeks. "I believe you mama." She pulls back and wipes the tears off my cheeks. "I will see you at lunch." She presses a kiss on my forehead and leaves. I'm left alone with the torrent of thoughts that do nothing to settle the bundle of nerves that have taken up residence in my belly. I head to my closet praying that my mother can make my father understand that he could be condemning me and my sisters to a life of torment and misery.