Mafia Sisters' Betrothals

3 Apologies

Luciana POV

"I'm so happy we can bring our families together like this, Marco. I know it's been some time since you have seen my daughters. Enzo, let me introduce you to your bride and my oldest daughter, Luciana. Next to her is my second daughter, Giavaya. My youngest, seated at the very end, is Viviana. Girls, this is Enzo. The future Don of the Caruso family," my father says.

He looks at me and, despite my apprehension about this whole arrangement, I do what a good principessa does. "It's a pleasure to see you both again." "The pleasure is all ours. I must say you have grown into a beautiful young woman. My son is very lucky to be able to call you his bride. You will give him strong sons," Marcos says. I fight the urge to bristle at his words. I hate the old school desire to only have sons. Any daughter I have will be just as capable. "My father's right. You are gorgeous," Enzo says. "Thank you both for the compliments."

"She is also smart. Graduated from business school at the top of her class. She will be an asset to you in the running of your family. She will not only be a good wife, but she will help you lead your family," my father says. I notice something flash in Enzo's eyes, but as quickly as it came, it's gone. "I look forward to spending time with her and getting to know my future bride," Enzo says with a wink.

"Obviously, I will expect you to be respectful of my daughter's virtue until you are joined in marriage," my father says. "Father" I say, but he raises his hand to stop my protests. "I am well aware you don't need me to protect you from such things principessa, but I want Enzo to know that I will be displeased if he doesn't honor my request" he says. "Of course Don Rizzo. I have nothing but respect for you and Luciana," Enzo says.

"Good, then enough talk. Maria our cook, has made her famous Carbonara. After dinner, you and Enzo will join me in my office to discuss moving forward," he says to Marco. I tighten my fist, fighting the urge to scream. I love my father and I know he thinks he is doing what's best for the family, but he's forgetting about my feelings.

The food is brought out and set in front of each of us. My appetite disappeared the minute my father announced he would be talking about my future without me present. I move the pasta around my plate. "Luciana, you're not eating. Are you not enjoying the pasta," Enzo asks. My eyes meet his. "No the food is fine. I'm just not hungry."

"I hope you are not one of those women that would order a salad, so your date thinks you eat like a bird. I mean soon we will be sharing most of our meals together. I rather enjoy your curves, so don't do that on my account," he says with a smug smile. What the f**k did he just say? "Rest assured the only opinion that matters to me is mine."

"Luciana," my father says in warning. I turn to meet my father's eyes and I can see he isn't happy with me. "May I be excused since you will be cutting our visit short with a meeting to discuss the future." His features soften slightly and he nods. I stand and look toward Marco and Enzo. "It was nice to see you both again. I'm sure we will see each other soon. Have a lovely afternoon."

I start to move toward the door when the sound of chairs moving lets me know my sisters are joining me. I step into the hallway, but before I start toward my room, a rough hand on my arm stops me in my tracks. I turn to face Enzo. "Luciano, I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you. I was trying to tease, but I meant no harm. Please forgive me" he says.

His words seem sincere, but I know well enough men in our world know how to smooze when they ruffle feathers. He is probably more worried about upsetting my father than he is about upsetting me.

"I appreciate the apology, but I'm not upset. Learning about our betrothal today has put me off kilter, but I'll be fine. Please rejoin our fathers to discuss our betrothal." I try to keep the irritation out of my voice as I'm not sure if is was as shocked as I was. Maybe that was the reason for his comment. I focus my attention back on the man standing in front of me.

"I will but I would like to invite you to dinner tomorrow. I will let your father know my intentions, but I wanted to ask your permission first," he says. I look past him at my sisters who are openly eavesdropping. They both shrug and I look back at Enzo. "I will join you for dinner. You can pick me up at six. How should I dress?"

"Something similar to what you have on today will work" he says. I'm shocked when he reaches for my hand. I'm tempted to pull it away, but before I can react, he brings it to his lips. He presses a soft kiss on the back before he turns and heads back into the dining room.

I immediately turn heading down the hallway that will take me far away from the most uncomfortable lunch I've ever experienced. I make my way toward my room and plop down on my bed once I'm inside. The sound of the door closing has me looking toward my sisters, who both look as disconcerted as I feel.

"Well, that was f**ked up" Vivi says. I grab my pillow off my bed and fling it at her. "You think? This morning, when I woke up, I never expected to be engaged by lunch. Not only engaged but engaged to Enzo Caruso. We have all heard the stories of his escapades. He may not be Giovanni Romano but he is a man-wh*re just the same."

"Oh my God. You don't think that Gia or I are betrothed to him, do you," Vivi asks. "I hope not. One of the girls I went to school with told me that he isn't just a womanizer, but he is cruel to the women he beds. He thinks women are only good for f**king and babies," Gia says.

I hate the fear I see in her eyes. I grab Gia's hand in mine. "I'm upset with dad for making us go through with this, but I can't ever see him forcing either of you into a marriage with a man that is abusive. Besides, we have all been trained." They both give me a knowing look. No man will ever physically hurt one of my sisters and get away with it. "Maybe he'll be like dad and once you're married he will decide you're the only one he wants. He will quit is man-wh*re ways," Gia says.

I offer her a smile. She is definitely the one who believes in the romances we all read. Vivi and I are more realists who wish that romance novels were true. A knock on my bedroom door startles the three of us. Vivi opens the door to a smiling Herbito. "Principessas, how did I know I would find the three of you conspiring in here?"

"No one is conspiring Herbito. Complaining but not conspiring." "That's disappointing. I was hoping that I could join in with the plans. I will gladly drive the get-away car," he says with a wide smile. Of all the men in our family, Herbito and Jules are the ones I trust the most. "I take it you know of our betrothals." "I do. I love your father like a brother despite not sharing blood, but this is one thing we do not agree upon," he says.

I open and close my mouth several times, but I won't ask the man I think of as a second father to go against his oldest friend. Despite the love my father has for him, he would put a bullet in his head for helping us to escape what he believes is our duty to the family.

"If I thought it would do any good, Luciana, I would fight your father, but we both know I wouldn't win and then who would be there to protect you after he got rid of me? No, once you are married I will make sure that I am assigned as your private guard until I'm satisfied that the stronzo will treat you properly," he says.

"Thank you, Herbito." "My pleasure, principessa. Now I thought maybe you would enjoy working out some aggression. Care to join me in the gym and gun range," he asks. I smile and my sisters immediately request to join us. "Of course, you are all my girls. I may not have been blessed with children of my own, but God gave me three beautiful god-daughters to love. Get yourselves changed and meet me in the gym" he says before turning to leave.

A wave of relief flows through me at the thought of Herbito going with me to the Caruso home. I know that I am strong enough to take care of myself but having a familiar face will make this whole situation more bearable. I say a silent prayer to God that Enzo will surprise me by being the husband that I deserve.