Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
I pull away enough to look up at him. “That’s okay. I needed some time to think by myself.”
Troy studies my face for a moment, his eyes darker than usual this morning. “I see.”
Before the conversation can continue, the sound of an engine outside stops us both in our tracks. I whip my head around to the window, seeing my dad’s car come to a stop outside. I look back to Troy, whose lips are a flat line, and my heart sinks.
Can I really let Troy take the heat from my dad?
I step away from him, gripping my coffee with white knuckles, and head for the front door. As I head to the entryway, I hear Gerard greeting my dad.
“Does she know?” My dad’s voice is low and hushed.
“I do,” I cut in as I round the corner. “They told me last night.”
My dad, dressed to the nines in a suit and tie, sighs. “You know, it’s not something I ever thought you’d have to do. Let’s go sit down where we can talk it all out.” His tone is cautious as he passes me, stopping to squeeze my shoulder ever so slightly. Consequently, my shoulders drop immediately after, the gravity of the situation becoming more real by the second.
“Morning, Henry,” Troy says, extending a hand as we file into the living room.
“You look like shit,” Henry chuckles, taking it and pulling him into a man-hug. “You not sleep well?”
Troy eyes me and then Henry. “Something like that.”
“I know the feeling,” Dad grunts before plopping down on the leather couch and directing his attention to me. “How much do you know?”
“I’m supposed to marry Vitali, so you and the Rossi family stay strong, right?”
“Right,” Dad nods. “It’s because the Greco and Romano families have forged strong ties. It could mean bad news if we don’t do something to balance it out. Being weak makes you just as much of a target as being strong. We don’t have any other option, honestly.”
“Well, we do,” Troy jumps in, his voice strained. “We don’t have to put Liz through this. You know how I feel about arranged marriages.”
My heart flips in my chest as I meet his gaze. Ugh. Is he really willing to lose it all for me? For that very reason, I’m not sure I can let him.
“Vitali is kicking around a marriage to Greco if we don’t go through with this,” Dad snaps with a tense look. “I could lose my investments if we don’t do this. Vitali already signed the paperwork for the big deal yesterday—the one that started this mess.”
“He did?” Troy looks surprised. “Without the confirmation of the engagement?”
Dad’s lips go flat. “No, with confirmation.”
My stomach knots up as Troy’s face reddens.
“I said we needed to talk about it. You didn’t even give Liz a choice,” he growls, his voice sharp.
“We don’t have a choice,” Dad barks back. “You know that. I know you care about Liz, as do I. So we must make sure we stay as strong as possible.”
“I’ll do it,” I say quickly. “I’m going to do it.” I avoid Troy’s gaze as I look at my dad, who nods. “I want to do whatever it takes to ensure you two are safe. If that means marrying someone, I guess I’ll do it.”
“You don’t have to—”
“No,” I say, turning to Troy. “I do. If this is the only way to make things work, I’ll do it. I won’t sacrifice everyone’s well-being for my own selfish reasons.”
“You’re a good daughter and a strong woman, Lizzie,” Dad says to me, giving me a half-hearted smile. “I know you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. You’ll make a fine mob boss’s wife, and we’ll ensure Vitali treats you as he should.”
I nod. “Okay. How, um, old is he?”
Dad bursts into laughter, while Troy looks like he might be sick. “He’s thirty-six. It’s a little old, but not too old. There’s still plenty of time to start a family. At least we can all head home today. I’ll drive you, Liz. We need to catch up.”
The notion makes me ill, but I keep my face straight and my eyes trained on Dad. “Okay.”
“Henry, I don’t think—”
“I’ve made my choice,” I snap at Troy, my voice coming out harsher than expected as his eyes burn with rage… at me.
I know he was willing to tell my dad and take the heat about us. However, that wouldn’t solve the bigger issue. I just want to keep Troy safe, even if it has to be from afar.
CHAPTER 22
Troy
“Well, it’s good to see you this morning,” Gloria greets me as I enter my office. “You’ve been back for a full week, and I still wonder if you might go MIA again.”
“Hopefully not,” I grunt, slightly smiling as I pass her desk. Then I stop, turning around. “Is Liz Massino coming in today?”