Mafia Sisters' Betrothals

4 One Month

Enzo POV

I follow my father and Don Rizzo down a long hallway that leads to a large wooden door. Even the door is ornate and looks to be hand carved. We step inside and take seats in front of a huge mahogany desk. Don Rizzo takes his seat, and he looks every bit the mafia boss he is. "Did you think that comment at lunch was funny, Enzo?" His question startles me. "Don Rizzo," my father starts to say, but is silenced when the man raises his hand in warning.

"I apologize, Don Rizzo. I didn't mean to disrespect your daughter with my comment." "Yet you did. You disrespected my daughter in her home and at my table. I chose your family to move up the ranks of the organization because I trusted your father would teach you to be a man worthy of my principessa. Am I wrong in my choice, Enzo?"

My father's fist tightens in his lap and I know I'm on his sh*t list right now. I don't even really know why I made the comment other than it pisses me off that I've been put in this position. Don't get me wrong, Luciana is beautiful, but I'm in no way ready to be married. Especially to a woman that has been raised to be an obedient wife. I like my women with fire. A woman that won't just lay there, spread her legs, and takes what she is given.

"No Don Rizzo, you're not wrong. I apologize deeply for my thoughtless comment. I have already apologized to Luciana and have asked her to accompany me to dinner tomorrow. I would like to take this time before our nuptials to get to know each other. To show her and you that I am worthy of being the leader of my family and, more importantly, her husband. I would never want to disrespect you, Don Rizzo."

"Then you should know disrespecting my daughter is disrespecting me. I will not interfere in your marriage once you say your vows, but I'll be watching until the ceremony to ensure I haven't made a mistake. Also, you should know that my daughters have been brought up to be strong and loyal, but they will never tolerate being disrespected by any man," he says. "I understand Don Rizzo. She will be my queen and will be treated as such."

"I hope so. Now my wife is insisting on having a family dinner a week before the wedding. I've already arranged to have the ceremony in Saint Alexander's Church and the reception will be in the grand ballroom of my hotel. You have one month to make me believe that you will treat her with the respect she deserves. As of today, you are engaged and the betrothal will stand as long as you don't disappoint me, Enzo. I expect to see a ring on my daughter's finger by the end of this week," he says.

"I won't disappoint you, Don Rizzo." "Good, now let's have a drink to celebrate your union," he says as he stands heading to a bar I hadn't even noticed. He pours three glasses with two fingers each of Macallan. He hands one to me and then my father. "Saluti" he says and raises his glass. I throw back the amber liquid and enjoy the burn.

We make our way out to the waiting car and I slide in behind the driver. The ride home is in silence. It only takes us twenty minutes to reach our home. I step out and follow my father inside without a word. When the door closes behind me, my father whirls on me. Pain burst through my cheek as his fist connects with my face. "What the f**k is wrong with you?" "Marco," my mother's voice has us both turning toward her.

She comes to stand next to him. "What happened" she asks, her expression one of concern. It's not the first time my father has hit me, but it hasn't happened since I was a boy. "Your son insulted the daughter of Don Rizzo" he says. My mother's eyes get big, and she covers her mouth with her hand. "Why would you do such a thing," she asks. I hate to see the disappointment in my mother's eyes.

"I'm sorry mama. I didn't think before I spoke because I was angry that I'm being forced into this marriage. I apologized to both Luciana and Don Rizzo." The look of disappointment morphs into one of anger. "It's time to grow up, Enzo. You are not a boy who needs to chase every puttana you can find. Luciana Rizzo is an intelligent, beautiful woman that you will be lucky to call your wife. You have had enough time to sew your seed with every available wh*re," she says.

"He has a month to prove to Don Rizzo that he is worthy of his daughter. If this marriage doesn't happen, Enzo, I will never pass you my title. I want that ring on her finger tomorrow at dinner," he says. He can't be serious. "I understand you're upset papa, but I've have proven myself as a good leader to the men. You can't be seriously threatening to take my birthright because of this betrothal." "It's not a threat, Enzo. It is a promise. I will give your brother the title if you f**k this up," he says.

My fists tighten at my side. "The men will not follow him." "The men will do as they're told. I am the Don of this family, and you would do well to remember it. One month Enzo," he says before he turns walking away from me. My mother shakes her head at me before she turns to follow him. What the f**k just happened?

Luciana POV

I run the brush through my hair, replaying everything that happened at lunch. I decided to take a shower and get into yoga pants and a loose-fitting t-shirt. I wind my hair into a messy bun and grab my phone from the nightstand. A knock that is unmistakable sounds on the door. "Come in papa." He smiles as he steps inside. He takes the seat he did so many nights when he read to me as a small child.

"Your mother spoke to me about your concerns with the betrothal. As much as I expect you to do your duty to this family, Luciana, I will never expect you to allow a man to mistreat you," he says. "What does that mean papa?" "It means there won't ever be divorce in your future, Luciana. You will either be married or widowed. If a man that is meant to love and respect you abuses you or betrays you, you have my blessing to make him sorry" he says.

"I will support you and make sure that every family knows you have my full support for your actions. I hope it doesn't come to that as I consider Marco one of my oldest friends, but no one is more important to me than you girls and your mama. You, your sisters, and your mother mean the world to me, Luciana," he says.

"I know you're not happy about this marriage, but I'm hopeful that Enzo will get his head out of his a** and become a man that is worthy of you. I have watched him grow from a small boy and despite he thinks with the wrong head when it comes to women I believe he will be a good husband to you," he says. "And if he doesn't?" "Then depending on the offense, make sure he knows not to cross a Rizzo. If you have to kill him, then you make sure I'm aware, so my men are there to protect you from those that are loyal to him," he says. He stands opening his arms to me. I move to him, and he pulls me into his strong arms.

"I love you, Luciana." "I love you, papa." He holds me for a few more seconds before he releases me. Once he's gone, Gia and Vivi both rush into my room. "Are you really going to go out with Enzo tomorrow" Vivi asks. "Vivi, you know I don't have a choice. Better to get to know the devil than to walk into this marriage blind. Besides, after my conversation with papa I'm feeling a bit better about the arrangement."

"What the hell do you mean your feeling better? We are being used like cattle to garner deals with other families," Vivi says. "Vivi, you're being dramatic. I may not agree with the betrothal, but I don't feel like a cow for slaughter." "That's exactly what I feel like. I don't want to marry a man I don't love. I won't do it" she says, tears gathering at the corner of her eyes.

I pull her to sit next to me and wrap my arms around her. "Vivi, you have years before it is supposed to happen. Papa might change his mind or your betrothed may knock up one of his mistresses by the time you're to get married." She pushes me, but a smile spreads across her face. "What did Papa say that has you looking more relaxed," Gia asks. I tell them everything that Papa said and Gia looks shocked. "He expects us to kill our husbands," she asks.

"Only if they deserve it, Gia. You know that papa has never raised his hand to mama. He doesn't expect us to allow a man to abuse us." "What about cheating? We can't kill him for cheating," Gia says. "No, I wouldn't kill him for cheating, but I might pay back the favor. Sometimes the best way to teach someone how something feels is to show them." They both look at me like I've grown ten heads.

"Luciana, you have never even been with a man. Hell, I don't think you have even had your first kiss. Do you really think you can just sleep with some random man to get back at Enzo if he cheats," Vivi asks. "Let's hope I never have to find out, but I'll be damned if I let any man make a fool of me. I am a Rizzo."