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Chapter 5
Matteo
I hold the note in my hand that she had left me. It's wrinkled and well-read since I've gone over it every day since she walked out the door.
Matteo,
Thank you for giving me the fantasy that I had at least some control over my life.
I will never forget last night, and I will never forget you.
Aria
It's cute that she thought she could walk out the door and never see me again. My men have been tracking her for the last month, and I know every move she's made. But I'm playing the long game.
Orlando's men worked fast and found the family that killed my father. Lo and behold, it was Aria's fiancée's family, which just made things more complicated.
Getting out of the car, I step onto the Romano family estate. I've been in talks with her father over a marriage contract with her and was not surprised when he called me a few hours ago to come and talk about the details. I wasn't going to waste any time, especially after the news my baby girl received at the doctor’s today.
Once in her dad's office, the doors close, and the negotiation dance begins.
"Due to certain circumstances, the contract with my daughter’s former fiancé is null and void. Since you expressed an interest in her hand in marriage, I thought we could talk."
Right away, I know he's not going to come out and tell me that she's pregnant. Instead, he's thinking of pulling a fast one over on me, which is okay because I know the truth.
"Why did her previous engagement end?" I ask, wanting to make him squirm a bit.
"He's requesting a change in the contract. When I wasn't open to it, he put his hands on my daughter in a way I would never approve."
Instantly I see red. If that little weasel even put a mark on my girl, he won't live to see the sun set.
"Calm down! I had it out with him, and she is absolutely fine. Although she's upstairs resting as she has not been feeling well. Possibly a slight cold or maybe all the stress of wedding planning and all," her father says, reading my mind.
We go over the terms, and they are fairly standard. It covers the alliance with the families, what we both expect of each other and the different contracts with our businesses. There are a few small negotiations, but he pretty much concedes to anything I ask. I’m sure he thinks he's getting one over on me, but after a few hours, we've come to an agreement.
"I feel like there's one thing you should know before we agree on this," I tell him. Even though I want to see his reaction, I know it won't change the outcome.
"What would that be? Is it because I'm going to face scrutiny from the Ricci family because we broke off the engagement? Already figured I would, but they're not strong enough to fight us, and no one is stupid enough to ally with them now," he says.
"It's not just that. If it's confirmed that his family killed my father, then I'm just waiting to find out who exactly ordered it. I will be taking revenge, and I have friends in and out of town that will be backing me up on this. I won't stand for any ties with them," I tell him. Then I sit, waiting for his response. Finally, he looks at me and nods.
"You marry my daughter, and we become family. You go to war, we go to war. You'll get your revenge with us at your side, just as I would expect you to do the same in the event something was to ever happen to me."
"Agreed."
With a handshake and a signed contract, I head home to announce that in two weeks' time, I would be married. This should appease the family that followed my father when he insisted I settle down.
"Call a mandatory family meeting," I tell my head of security once we are in the car. “We have a lot to do, and I'm not going to waste any time.”
A few hours later, everyone is gathered, waiting to hear what I have to say. We're meeting around the pool at my parents’ estate. Technically, it’s mine now since I've taken over. It's hard to believe that I now own the estates that I grew up on.
When my mom joins us, she ignores protocol, walking over to give me a hug. While I may be the head of the family, I'm still her little boy, and that always trumps protocol.
Once everyone is settled, I speak. "In two weeks' time, I will be married to Aria Romano." Whispers kick up, and murmurs from everywhere people are talking and discussing it. Finally, I let out a whistle to get their attention.
"Everyone insisted that I need to get married and settle down. Well, that's what I have done. Before, she was set to marry Eric Ricci, whose family was the one who murdered my father. She will now be ours, and she will be your queen. You will respect her and offer her the same respect you have for my mother. If you disagree with this union, this is the one chance you have to leave. After we are married, it will cost you your life."
The room goes deadly silent, and no one moves. As I suspect, they are all loyal to the family and me.
