Kiss Me in the Dark Anthology - Monica James Page 0,94

watched me with narrowed eyes. Did I trust him with my sister? More than all the other choices left. Father would marry Emma off at some point and nobody worth anything wanted her. She’d be cast off to someone who hoped to improve his position, someone who didn’t deserve her.

“He marries my sister Emma,” I said.

Samuel’s face twisted with shock. “She’s in a—”

He didn’t finish his sentence. Good for him because I wanted to kill him.

“In a wheelchair, yes. Which is why nobody of worth wants her. My sister deserves only the best, and you are the heir to Minneapolis. If you all want this bond, Samuel is going to marry my sister, and then I’ll marry Sofia.”

“Fuck,” Samuel muttered. “What kind of twisted deal is that?”

“Why? Your father has been testing the waters for possible brides, and my sister is a Mancini. She’s a good match.”

Samuel took a deep breath then he nodded. “I’ll marry your sister.”

I bared my teeth at him, not liking his tone.

“Then it’s settled?” Pietro asked. “You’ll marry Sofia and accept the engagement cancellation with Fina?”

I gave a sharp nod. “It’s not what I want but it’ll have to do.”

“It’ll have to do?” Samuel growled, stepping forward with narrowed eyes. “That is my baby sister you’re talking about. She’s not some fucking thing you accept as a consolation prize.”

But she was the consolation prize. We all knew it. I laughed bitterly. “You might want to remember that as well when you meet my sister.”

“Enough,” Dante growled.

“The wedding will have to wait until Sofia is of age,” Pietro said, looking tired.

Did he think I wanted a child bride? “Of course. My sister won’t marry before her eighteenth birthday either.”

Six long years. I wasn’t sad about having more time to stabilize my rule over Indianapolis, that was the one thing I’d hated about marrying Serafina but I’d wanted her and she couldn’t wait too long. But now, now I’d have plenty of time to build my reign, to enjoy myself some more—how Father put it. Six years was a long time. So much could happen until then. I wouldn’t lose another girl. I’d make sure Sofia was safe, safer than Serafina had been.

Pietro nodded.

“Then it’s decided,” I said.

“I have to return home soon. We can settle the details at a later point.” Dante nodded. “Just one more thing. I don’t want word about Samuel’s bond to my sister to get out yet. She doesn’t need to know this was a deal in exchange for Sofia.”

I moved toward the door, wanting out of this house, out of this city, but most of all away from Serafina. I could hear steps behind me but I didn’t turn. There was nothing else left to say, not today.

“Danilo, wait,” Samuel demanded.

Narrowing my eyes, I turned around. “What do you want?” We’d come to a tentative understanding while we’d been trying to save Serafina from the clutches of Remo Falcone, but I had a feeling it wouldn’t last. We were both alphas who didn’t deal well with someone who didn’t bow to our wishes.

“Sofia deserves more than being second best.”

That was probably true. True for both our sisters. Emma had been dealt harsh cards by fate. She deserved only the best. Would she ever get it? Probably not. “I’ll treat Sofia with respect as I always have Serafina.” My mouth twisted voicing her name. “Remember to do the same with Emma.”

Samuel shook his head. “Quit pro quo?”

I didn’t say anything. This was messed up. We both got girls we didn’t want for a bond that would ensure our power. Samuel and I were both proud men to a fault. Remo Falcone had trampled on that pride. A pride we wanted to rebuilt.

I was beginning to think it would be both our downfall.

Sofia

I still remembered the first time I saw Danilo. It was a year before he was supposed to marry my sister. He’d come over to discuss details with Dad. Driven by curiosity, I’d pretended to be heading toward the kitchen to catch a glimpse at him. He stood in our lobby, talking to Dad, and the moment I spotted him my heart did a strange flip it had never done before. He gave me a smile and again my heart beat wildly and my belly warmed. He reminded me of the princes that girls always dreamed about. Tall and handsome and chivalrous.

I’d thought he’d remain a fantasy forever and whenever I’d fantasized about him, I’d felt guilty—until he suddenly was mine.