Mafia Sisters' Betrothals

5 First Date

Luciana POV

I step out of the shower and dry with a fluffy white towel. I step to the vanity, grabbing my sweet pea body lotion and rub it into every part of my skin. I'm not one for lavish things despite the world we grew up in, but I love to pamper myself. I slip into a matching black lace bra and panties set. I move to my walk-in closet and move my hand down the dresses. Enzo said the place was a little bit fancy but refused to tell me where he was taking me. I'm not sure how fancy.

I opt for a black cocktail dress that is not too revealing but hugs the shape of my body. I am by no means stick thin like the models that a lot of men covet. I'm not bothered by the fact I love my curves. Taking my seat at the vanity, I decide on a natural looking make-up and pull my long black hair into a high ponytail. Once I'm done, I stand looking at myself in the floor to ceiling mirror in my room.

I can't stop the smile that spreads across my face when I'm reminded of how much I look like a younger version of my mother. She is a beautiful woman, and I'm lucky to have her as my mother. Despite who my father is she has always been my sisters and my champion. I think that is why hearing about the betrothal was so shocking.

The knock on my bedroom door startles me. I turn just in time to see my mother, followed by my two sisters stepping into my room. " "Oh my god, you look beautiful il mio tesoro (my little treasure)." "Thank you, mama."

"She looks just like her beautiful mother. Enzo is a lucky ba**ard to have the opportunity to marry her," my father says as he steps into the room. He opens his arms and I stand moving towards him. He pulls me into his arms. "Remember what I said principessa. You demand the respect you deserve and if does anything that disrespects you, I want to know." "Yes, papa," I say, stepping back from him. After I hug my entire family, I make my way downstairs.

I find Jules and Herbito waiting near the door. They have been my guards since I was a small child. I think of them like uncles, but I wasn't expecting them to join us tonight. I turn just in time to see my father and mother descending the stairs. "Papa, why are the guards here? I'm sure Enzo has men and can protect me. Besides, you know, I never leave home without my own weapon" I say, raising my handbag.

"I know sweetheart, but having men that care about you will make your papa feel a bit better about sending you off with a man. I know you are a good girl, but Enzo is a charming ba**ard" he says. "So, they are joining us to protect my virtue. Papa, I am perfectly capable of protecting my own virtue no matter how charming Enzo Caruso is." "Amuse your papa please. They will be in the background. You won't even know they are there," he says.

"Fine, papa, but I don't want them interfering unless it's absolutely necessary. I'm perfectly capable, and I don't want to be coddled," I say turning to look at both men. Herbito winks and I roll my eyes. "They have their orders. They won't interfere unless you are in danger," he says. I nod just as a knock sounds on the door. Herbito pulls the door open and looks right at Enzo. A silent conversation passes between the two men and I wonder if my life will ever be normal.

I don't know why I even ask myself that question, because I already know the answer. I step in front of Herbito, making sure to elbow him as I come to stand in front of Enzo. He grunts before he chuckles while taking a step back. "Luciana, you look gorgeous. Should I come in or are you ready to go," he asks. "Thank you. You look very handsome. I'm ready, let's go. My guards will be joining us, but they won't bother us."

"I expected nothing less Luciana. A smart man protects what is most important to him," he says, giving me an example of the charm my father mentioned earlier. "I'm glad you understand what it means to take my daughter out, Enzo. You will have her home by ten. My wife would also like you to extend an invitation to your family for Friday night," my father says. "Of course, Don. We look forward to it."

He leads me out to a sleek black sports car, his hand never leaving the small of my back. Besides my trainers, I haven't had any man's hands on me that I don't consider family. It causes an unfamiliar feeling in my belly. He opens my door and I slide inside. Placing my seat belt on, I wait for him to slide in next to me, but instead he stops to talk to Herbito. My guard smiles and slaps Enzo on the back.

He slides in next to me, but he doesn't start the car. I turn to look at him and he staring at me. "You really are beautiful, Luciana. I wasn't thrilled about the idea of an arranged marriage, but I think I'm getting the better end of the stick. I get to be married to the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, while you get to be married to a guy who is grumpy most of the time" he says. "Maybe being married to me will make you less grumpy," I say with a smile.

"Touche," he says as he turns back to the wheel. It takes about thirty minutes to reach a restaurant that looks like it belongs more in Italy than it does in New York. He cuts the engine and quickly gets out, coming around to open my door. He offers me his hand, which I gladly take. Once he helps me out, he doesn't let go of my hand. "This is my family's restaurant. My aunt and cousin run it. I'll warn you that they can be a bit much, but they mean well."

I nod and once again he leads me inside. When we reach the hostess station, I notice the woman practically eye f**king Enzo. A feeling I can only describe as jealousy bubbles up inside me. "Mr. Caruso, I wasn't expecting you tonight. It's always good to see you," she says as seductively as she can. "I wasn't aware that I had to tell the hostess when I planned to come to my family's restaurant, Michelle," he says, his voice laced with irritation.

She opens her mouth, but before any sound comes out, an older woman steps out of a door and heads straight toward Enzo. I'm not sure how she knows, but she immediately turns to Michelle. "Go to your break." "Mrs. Caruso, I swear" the woman starts to say, but the older woman I now know is Enzo's aunt silences her with a glare. The woman quickly rushes away. "Zia (aunt), still ruling with an iron fist I see," Enzo says as he leans in to kiss both her cheeks. "That one cares more about getting into a rich man's pants than her job duties," she says. I chuckle, and she immediately looks past Enzo at me.

"Oh look how beautiful she is. Is this my new niece," she asks. "Soon Zia, but for now we are on our first date. I wanted to bring her to the best restaurant in the city," he says. "Such a smoozer, this one," she says as she pulls me in for a hug. "You look so much like your mama" she says. "Zia, my men are getting antsy having us out in the open this long. Can you take us to the private dining room," Enzo asks.

"Of course" she says and keeps me tucked to her side as she leads me through the restaurant. I gasp when we step into a room that looks like it should be in a movie. Candles sit in the middle of the table and a large bouquet of pinnas sits at one of the table settings. Pinnas happen to be my favorite flower. I look toward Enzo and he smiles. "Zia, do you think I can have my date back now? You are hogging her," he says teasingly.

She slaps at his chest and I smile. "Alright, you two, have a seat. I have a special tasting menu that the chef has prepared for you. Luciana, you don't have any allergies or diet restrictions, do you," she asks. I shake my head and she smiles. It doesn't take long for dishes to be placed on the table. I'm shocked at how easily the conversation with Enzo flows. By the time she brings out individual panna cotta covered in fresh raspberries, I can't eat another bite despite how delicious it looks.

"What's the matter? You don't want your desert," Enzo says. "I can't eat another bite. I feel like I'm going to explode." "No worries. I'll have the waitress wrap it up for you to take home. I'll have her wrap up enough for your sisters and parents too," he says. It's seems strange him being so considerate, but maybe the rumors about him being an a**hole are just that, rumors. After saying goodbye to his aunt, he leads me out to the car.

He starts to drive in the opposite direction of the city. "Where are we going," I blurt out. "I have a surprise for you. I need you to trust me. Can you do that," he asks. "I can," I say, but in the back of my mind I know there are conditions to my trust. I'll trust him until he gives me a reason not to. It doesn't take long for him to pull off the road and I realize that there is a great view of the city from here.

He opens my door and helps me out again. We walk a short distance and I swear I can see all of New York. Before I realize what's happening, I turn to see Enzo kneeling on one knee with a ring box in his hand. "Enzo, what are you doing?" "I thought it was pretty obvious" he says with a chuckle. "I just meant you don't have to do all this. We are already betrothed." "That doesn't mean you don't deserve to be treated like a queen Luciana. Will you marry me, Luciana Rizzo?"