Episode 10

"My sister-in-law is already ruining my good reputation, and I'm not even married yet?" The voice sounded behind me.

I stiffened, my fingers turning to stone around the glass I was holding. I couldn't even blink, as if my body didn't know how to react to Dominique's presence.

"I'm warning Carmen about how things work at home," Elisa retorted, indifferent, as if she wasn't talking to the man who had the reputation of being the biggest psychopath in the mafia.

"Our... thank you for that, sis-in-law," he joked.

I forced my face to show impartiality, feigning indifference to the weirdest and most trivial conversation my ears had ever heard, especially coming from a Venturelli, the untouchable royalty of the Camorra. I never imagined they could act so... common.

"You're welcome. When you need me to improve your reputation, just call me," she retorted.

Dominique rolled his eyes at his sister-in-law before turning to me.

"Carmen, can we talk?" he asked.

"I'm going after my husband. I'm sure he must be in someone's boring company and anxious to see me," Elisa said.

I bit my cheeks to keep from laughing.

Elisa was direct and sincere about the mafia. She didn't care what they thought or said. She respected them within limits, giving them the same respect they offered her. Her heels hit the porcelain tile, causing a hollow sound as she walked away from us, walking through the place with the pride of a queen.

"She's incredible..." I murmured, thinking aloud.

I felt Dominique's presence beside me. His tall body covered mine and the scent of woodsy cologne wafted up to my nose, making me inhale deeply.

"Yes, she is," he confirmed, clearing his throat and changing the subject. "We need to decide a few things about... our wedding."

"All right."

I walked ahead with Dominique following me. I felt the eyes of most people on us, analyzing the future couple the mafia would form. I opened the door that led to the back garden and the night breeze blew through my hair, making me shiver.

The garden was all lit up, ready to receive some guests. Many men or women liked to go out to smoke on the street, but at the moment, there was no one, just me, Dominique, and the guards who lurked around the high walls that surrounded the residence.

"They weren't here before," I murmured.

"Your father ordered protection to be formed around the house after he had his room broken into. No one imagined that 'Ndrangheta could get so close," he revealed.

It made sense. Although Dad trusted me to defend myself, he wouldn't risk my life. The men used to keep watch, dividing themselves into shifts, and they didn't lurk as they were.

I crossed my arms and turned to Dominique. He was a few inches taller than me, which made me have to raise my jaw to look him in the eye.

"Shall we talk about our wedding?" I asked.

He put his hands in his pants pockets and raised his eyebrows, agreeing with a nod.

God, he was really handsome.

"I want to take you to get the tattoo, if you're comfortable with that."

I pressed my lips together thoughtfully.

I didn't even remember the tattoo anymore, the symbol that sealed on the skin the agreement between the families. All members, men, who were accepted into the mafia used to have a tattoo with the symbol of the Camorra. And, when an agreement was made between the families, the bride would tattoo the symbol in the same place as the groom.

"Where's your tattoo?" I asked curiously.

One corner of his lips curled into an ironic smile.

"On my ribs..." he murmured. "I can show you if you want."

I looked at the white shirt that fit snugly over his muscles and a blush covered my cheeks as I realized he was testing me.

I clenched my jaw.

You jerk!

"No, thank you," I hissed.

He shrugged.

"You'll see it one way or another."

I clenched my hands into fists and left my face expressionless, feigning incomprehension at the obscene provocations.

"When will I get the tattoo?" I asked, ignoring him.

"Can I take you tomorrow?"

"I confirmed with a nod. "Perfect. I also want to let you know that I've already chosen our residence. I don't think it would be very... comfortable living with my family."

I would love to have Elisa around, but sharing a house meant having to keep up the charade longer. Alone, at least, I would have time to be myself while Dominique was away, and that would be nice.

"Yes, I prefer it that way," I agreed.

It was completely insane that I was planning my whole future with a complete stranger, from the house we would live in to the tattoo we would get together.

"Do you have any requirements you would like to add to our agreement?" he asked, taking a step closer to me.

His presence was intoxicating, it had the power to make me feel disconcerted and my thoughts confused.

"We're in this in the name of the mafia, Carmen, but who says it can't be good business for both of us?"

I shook my head.

"Yes, I want it to be good." I cleared my throat. "I want respect, Dominique. I always got that from my father and it's the least I expect in a marriage."

Expecting love was irrelevant, it would only make me break my face in the end, after all, this was business, we would be partners in a life, and at the very least, there should be respect.

"I promise I will respect you," he stated. "And I'll be a good husband, as best I can."

"Thank you," I said, realizing that I already had so much more than most women who were forced into marriage.

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