Page 8

We pull out of our estate’s driveway, through the gates and out onto the main road. I watch the scenery pass by, too quickly. We’re at the estate faster than I thought we’d be, and suddenly I’m faced with how real this decision is.

I hope Gia eventually finds peace with this decision. My mother had an arranged marriage, and she ended up falling for my father. Hopefully the same can happen for my sister.

We pull up to the gates of the Russo estate, and Christian gives our details to the guard who radios it in. I wait impatiently, watching everything carefully.

Russo doesn’t see me as a threat, so he won’t do anything to me. The gates open and Christian drives through, pulling up to a mansion about the same size as mine.

A guard comes out the front door and stands there with his hands clasped in front of him, keeping a close eye on us. Christian opens my door, and then we both head up the stairs.

The smell of homemade Italian cooking floats out of the house, and it reminds me of Gia and why I’m here. The guard motions to Christian, who shows his gun and that we have nothing to hide. I show mine.

He leads us inside to a large drawing room where Juliano Russo is sitting in an armchair, smoking. I sit opposite him, and he offers me a cigar. They’re more expensive than the ones I smoke, and I take one, cutting off the end, putting it in my mouth and letting Russo light it.

“Andrea, it’s always a pleasure to see you, my boy. What brings you to my doorstep today?” he asks through the hazy smoke between us.

I puff on the cigar. “I have a business proposition, Juliano, one that could benefit both of us. You heard about Esposito and the power vacuum he left behind. Well, the way I figure it, we both have a mutual enemy who could fill that gap.”

“Matteo Ricci,” Juliano suggests with a smile. “I know he has his eyes set on Romano’s casinos.”

Andrea nods. “Exactly. And we can’t let them do that, or they’ll become the most powerful family in Miami.”

“Why should I care?” Juliano waves his hand about.

I give him a stern look. “Because it’ll just be a matter of time before he encroaches on our territories. But don’t worry, I don’t come empty-handed.”

“I’m a rich man, Andrea. What could you possibly have that I want?”

“A marriage,” I smile. “Between Gia and Michael. My sister is exceptionally beautiful and multi-talented. We will join our families, and you can have ten percent of the profits from the casinos you help me buy.”

Juliano regards me carefully. “You want to marry your sister to my son?”

“Keep it in the family, so to speak,” I murmur.

Juliano nods. “Not ten percent though, I want thirty.”

“Fifteen,” I counter.

“Twenty-five,” Juliano counters.

“Twenty.”

“Done,” he reaches over to shake my hand. “Your Gia better be good to my son and give him some beautiful babies. I intend for my legacy to last many generations.”

I give him a curt smile. “Of course. Have you seen my sister? Any babies she has will be perfect little angels.”

Juliano nods. “I will give you what you need to buy the casinos out from under Matteo.”

An engine roars outside and then cuts out. A few moments later, Michael Russo himself walks into the drawing room. “Father. Oh, hello, Mr. Bianchi, what are you doing here?”

“Business,” I smile.

“Andrea has engaged with our family for a business deal. In return, we will not only get profits, but you will marry his sister Giulia,” Juliano says as Michael pours himself a scotch.

“Giulia?” Michael asks, turning to look at me with glee. “She certainly is a beautiful woman.”

“So you approve?” I ask. Not that it matters. It’s his father’s decision.

“Yes, I do. I will even gift her one of my properties for our wedding to use as a retreat,” Michael brags. “I have many and won’t miss one. And I can shower her in jewelry.”