Chapter 12
Sophia's POV
The words "my future wife" hit me like a physical blow, shattering whatever fragile composure I'd managed to maintain.
"No. No." I practically collapsed back into my chair, the words tumbling out in a desperate whisper. "I'm not."
Even as I said it, I knew how pathetic it sounded. Like a child denying they'd broken something while standing amid the wreckage.
Vito's head tilted slightly, "How are you not? I recall your father has already discussed this marriage arrangement with my grandfather. So tell me, what exactly is the reason for your refusal?"
Because you're terrifying, my mind screamed. Because everything I've heard about you suggests you're a monster who kills people for breathing wrong. Because marrying you would be like signing my own death warrant.
But I couldn't say any of that. Not when he was sitting right here, close enough to reach out and snap my neck if the mood struck him.
"Because you're... an important man," I managed instead, my voice barely above a whisper. "I wouldn't dare to... to presume..."
The laugh that escaped him was soft, rich.
"Lying already, little one? You just spent twenty minutes boldly insulting me to my friend. Now suddenly you're too intimidated to speak honestly?"
"I wasn't insulting you," I protested weakly, though we both knew it was another lie.
"No?" The wheelchair moved closer, close enough that I could smell that intoxicating scent of cedar and bergamot again. "Then what would you call describing me as a violent, unhinged monster?"
Heat flooded my cheeks. There was no way to deny it, no way to explain away what he'd clearly heard. I'd been caught red-handed, and we both knew it.
"You don't want to marry me for one reason only," he continued, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "Because everything you just said about me... you believe it's true."
I opened my mouth to deny it again, but no words came out. How could I explain that yes, I was terrified of him, but not for the reasons he thought? That my fear had nothing to do with his reputation and everything to do with the impossible position my family had put me in?
His silence stretched between us like a wire ready to snap, and I found myself studying his face despite my terror. Even seated in that wheelchair, even with those sunglasses hiding his eyes, he was devastatingly handsome. Sharp jawline, perfectly sculpted lips, the kind of bone structure that belonged in Renaissance paintings.
If he weren't a killer, I thought desperately, if he weren't disabled, if he weren't blind... he'd probably be more attractive than Michael ever was. More magnetic, more dangerous in all the ways that made women lose their minds.
The thought terrified me more than his reputation did. I couldn't afford to find him attractive. Couldn't afford to let my guard down for even a second. This man was dangerous in ways I was only beginning to understand.
But how could I tell him the truth? How could I explain that I wasn't supposed to be here at all, that the woman he was meant to marry had run away with my fiancé, that I was just a desperate substitute thrown into this nightmare to save my family?
I couldn't. If Vito Romano discovered that my father had tried to deceive him, had attempted to pass off one daughter for another like we were interchangeable commodities... we'd all be dead by morning.
The thought of Alfonso lying helpless in that hospital bed, dependent on machines and medical care we couldn't afford, gave me the strength to try a different approach.
"This marriage arrangement," I said carefully, my voice steadier than I felt. "It hasn't been finalized yet, has it?"
His head tilted slightly. "Your father has already given his agreement."
"But I haven't given mine. Mr. Romano, I... I have someone I care about. Someone I love. Please don't force me into this. I'm begging you."
The silence that followed was deafening. I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears, could feel Emily's concerned gaze from somewhere behind me, could sense the tension radiating from Luigi and whoever else was lurking in the shadows of this VIP section.
I'm negotiating with the most dangerous man in America, the thought hit me like a slap. I'm actually sitting here trying to bargain my way out of marrying Vito Romano.
I remembered the stories I'd heard, whispered conversations about people who'd tried to renege on deals with the Romano family. A construction contractor who'd attempted to back out of a project, found at the bottom of the Hudson River with his feet encased in concrete. A politician who'd tried to double-cross them on a zoning permit, discovered in his car with three bullets in his head.
The last person who tried to negotiate with him is probably dead, I realized with growing horror. And here I am, doing exactly the same thing.
I started trembling then, my whole body shaking with the magnitude of what I was attempting. This was insane. This was suicide. But what choice did I have?
"Please," I whispered, my voice breaking. "You must be... you have to be a gentleman. Surely you wouldn't force a woman to marry against her will?"
I held my breath, waiting for him to laugh in my face, waiting for him to call his men, waiting for this to end the way these conversations always ended for people who crossed the Romano family.
But instead, his voice was surprisingly gentle when he spoke.
"Of course." The words were so unexpected, so completely opposite of what I'd braced myself for, that I almost didn't process them. "You have someone you care about. This is indeed something that needs to be carefully considered."
I stared at him, certain I'd misheard.
"The marriage arrangement... perhaps it can be dissolved," he continued, his tone thoughtful, almost kind. "I would never force you into something against your will."
The relief that flooded through me was so intense I nearly collapsed. He's going to let me go, I thought wildly. He's actually going to call off the engagement.
"Thank you," I breathed, tears of gratitude threatening to spill over. "Thank you so much, Mr. Romano. I... I can't tell you how much this means to me."
I was deeply grateful to him. Just when I thought everything was over and naively believed he was a good person, I almost forgot that standing before me was the most powerful mafia boss who likes control and doesn't allow anyone to defy him or negotiate with him. I never expected that after today, he would do such a thing. Afterwards, I learned the first lesson he taught me: absolute submission.