Filed to story: Bound by Honor (Aria & Luca) Drama Story
Pietro turned around. His eyes were hard and full of warning as he leveled them on Danilo. “I will give you Sofia.”
Danilo scoffed. “She’s what, eleven?”
“Twelve in April,” Samuel corrected, scowling at his father. His hands were curled to fists.
“I’m ten years older than her. I was promised a wife now.”
“You’ll be busy with this war and establishing your reign over Indianapolis. A later wedding should be of advantage for you,” I said. I could tell that Danilo would agree eventually, but he wanted something else.
Danilo glanced down at the ring once more, lost in thought.
“Danilo?”
“I have one condition.”
“What condition?”
Danilo motioned at Samuel. “He marries my sister Emma.”
Samuel’s eyes widened in shock. “She’s in a-“
He stopped himself with a grimace.
Danilo looked murderous. “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?” Danilo growled. “Your father has been testing the waters for possible brides, and my sister is a Mancini. She’s a good match.”
Samuel exchanged a look with Pietro then he looked my way. The Mancini girl wouldn’t find a good husband if not for Danilo’s bargain.
Samuel took a deep breath then he nodded. “I’ll marry your sister.”
Danilo smiled darkly. We all knew this was a deal made in hell.
“Then it’s settled?” Pietro asked. “You’ll marry Sofia and accept the engagement cancellation with Fina?”
“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.”
Danilo laughed again. “You might want to remember that as well when you meet my sister.”
“Enough,” I growled. They were riling each other up on purpose when their anger was directed at Remo not each other.
“The wedding will have to wait until Sofia is of age,” Pietro said, looking tired.
“Of course,” Danilo said. “My sister won’t marry before her eighteenth birthday either.”
Pietro nodded.
“Then it’s decided,” I said.
“I have to return home now. We can settle the details at a later point.” Danilo glanced at me for confirmation and I gave a terse nod. “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 nodded again. It really didn’t matter when we’d announce it. People would talk anyway.
He turned and stalked out but Samuel rushed after him.
I hoped they wouldn’t get into a fight but I didn’t bother getting involved. Instead, I walked up to Pietro who held onto the edge of the desk. “Ines will be furious.”
“Danilo is a good catch for Sofia.”
Pietro jerked his head up, angry. “He’d be a good catch for Anna too.”
I couldn’t deny it. An Underboss was the best possible match for my daughter at the moment.
“But you couldn’t let her go, could you?” Reproach carried in his voice, and it wasn’t unfounded.
“It makes sense to give Danilo your other daughter when Serafina cancels the engagement.”
“You can turn it whatever way you want. You didn’t want to give up your daughter. That’s all. Instead you force me to give up mine.”