Mad Max - Sapphire Knight Page 0,9

us. He’s nearly bald, with a tanned face full of wrinkles, reminding me of the actor from the Godfather. We got ourselves a real Italian mobster, from the looks of it. Too bad he’s nothing more than a scared pussy on the inside. He wouldn’t survive a day in our crew without dying or pissing his pants with fear, and I’d be the one to make him break.

I flash a charming, yet sinful grin toward the woman beside me. She has no idea what she’s getting into by agreeing to this union. She believes this won’t be a traditional marriage, or even a marriage at all, by the sounds of it. In a sense, she’s correct, it won’t be, but she’s in for a rude awakening if she thinks we’ll be living apart and away from each other completely. As I mentioned, she’s playing with fire and needs a quick lesson in who’s holding the gasoline.

I’m doing Ismerlda’s family a favor by marrying her, not the other way around. The Joker and I gain another alliance at the table of the Five Families, and in return, hopefully, the Vendettis from New York won’t kill them off. At least that’s what we’ve been telling them. Ismerlda will owe me, and I expect to collect my pound of flesh from her.

“Indeed. My bride only needs to pick a date she fancies. I pledge to be an easy bloke about this process as I know she’ll make it an extravagant affair, no doubt.”

His pleased smile widens as he reaches forward to give her hand a tender squeeze. He cares for his daughter a great deal, that I don’t doubt for a moment. “Isa’s mama and nonna will have her in dress fittings this week. The sooner this takes place, the better for everyone involved. We’ll make sure it’s the most extravagant wedding in the city.”

Ismerlda scoffs. “I’ll arrange my own fitting, grazie. I have to work, Papa. I have appointments. You already know this week is too busy for me to do any of this. I agreed to the engagement, but I won’t budge on my schedule. You assured me it’d be my terms.”

“Nonsense Isa, this marriage is our famiglia’s number-one focus. I told you it’s too dangerous right now for you to be traveling back and forth to your job. I will pay your expenses. Take a vacation if necessary. This isn’t the time or place to discuss such things, my daughter.”

I snicker to myself. Of course our marriage is his family’s main priority. He doesn’t want to be taken out by Dante Vendetti, or anyone else for that matter. Not that I can blame the pudgy Italian. From what I’ve heard, Dante has been having his fun raining down terror on the most prominent families in Chicago. His vendetta is why I tolerate him here at all. We’re both making significant moves to run Chicago’s underground crime syndicate. Dante for his brother, the Capo dei Capi of New York, and myself for Joker. We’re the henchmen, if you will, both making moves to benefit our bosses. It’ll be interesting when we eventually meet face to face, that’s for sure.

I hand Vincenzo my business card. “I’ll be in touch about moving Ismerlda’s things to my flat. I’m not there much, so she has plenty of room for any of her things she wishes to bring, as well as redecorating. Otherwise, I’ll await to hear which venue and date you’ll be booking.” I begin to turn away but pause momentarily, meeting my future bride’s stormy cappuccino gaze. “I’ll be in a solid black tux, darling, so make sure the wedding theme compliments it.”

A scarlet flush creeps up her delectable neck, but I pay it no mind. She’s positively off her rocker, if she believes she’ll be choosing what I wear, as well as turning my life upside down. I’ll be keeping my bollocks between my legs, and it’d do her well to realize as much early on.

I glance at her father, gauging his reaction to the tension brewing between his daughter and me. He has none, obviously understanding how much my alliance means to their safety to overlook any irritation I may cause Ismerlda in the process. “Maximillian.” He tilts his head in my direction. “I handed off my number to your assistant, Andre. We’ll await your instructions for the move and any other details you may possibly think of. I’m sure you have a specific tailor and such, but if we can