He Chose the Mafia Princess, So I Chose Her Father Chapter 05
Power did not come to men who waited politely for it.
It came to men willing to kneel today so everyone else would kneel tomorrow.
That was why I crossed the rain toward Corrado Carbone’s car.
Arianna waited beneath the hotel awning behind me.
She had complained that her father barely looked at the preliminary wedding plans.
I told her I would handle him.
I had spent my whole life handling powerful men.
My father believed I was still too impulsive to lead the Bellini family. Corrado’s support would change that.
Once the Carbone name stood behind mine, every capo who doubted me would suddenly remember how loyal he had always been.
The sedan’s windows were made from layered ballistic glass. From outside, I could see nothing.
I knocked.
The window lowered slightly.
Corrado sat in the back seat with a woman hidden beneath his jacket.
I could see the curve of one bare knee beside his leg and a small hand resting against his shirt.
For one second, the hand reminded me of Tessa.
Same narrow fingers. Same pale pink nails.
The thought was ridiculous.
Tessa was probably at home crying, waiting for me to call.
She had loved me for a year. Women like her did not stop loving a man because of one public
announcement.
They got angry.
Then they forgave.
I had already decided that once the marriage settled, I would rent her an apartment away from Arianna. Tessa would complain at first, but she would understand. She always understood.
The woman beneath Corrado’s jacket shifted.
His hand disappeared under the dark fabric.
Lucky bastard.
“I wanted to speak with you about the engagement dinner,” I said.
“This isn’t a good time.”
His voice was rougher than usual.
I smiled.
Corrado had been a widower for years. If he liked young, quiet women, that was useful information.
Men at his level were difficult to buy because they already owned everything.
But every man had an appetite.
Once I knew his, I could feed it.
“Arianna said you appreciate men who know how to
enjoy themselves.”
The shape beneath his jacket moved again.
Corrado’s jaw tightened.
I wondered whether I should ask one of my men to find women with the same build. Small. Soft. Dark–haired,
if the strands near Corrado’s wrist belonged to her.
Someone a little like Tessa.
The comparison irritated me.
Tessa was not special enough to belong in Corrado Carbone’s car.
She was sweet. Useful. Easy to control.
The woman hidden in that car had enough nerve to
touch the most dangerous man in Chicago while another future member of his family stood outside.
Corrado told me to send the final guest list.
His voice broke on the last word.
I almost laughed.
“Are you all right, sir?”
“Perfectly.”
The window began to rise.
A soft sound escaped the car before the glass sealed shut.
For one second, it sounded like Tessa.
Then rain struck the roof, and the car pulled away.
I returned to Arianna beneath the awning.
“What did he say?” she asked.
“He’ll review the list.”
“Was he alone?”
I looked at the red taillights disappearing into the storm.
“No.”
Arianna’s mouth tightened.
Interesting.
“Do you know who she was?”
“No. But I know his type now.”
I put my arm around her and guided her toward the hotel.
My phone showed three unanswered messages I had sent Tessa.
For the first time since the engagement announcement, she had not replied.
I told myself she was still angry.
I did not ask why the woman in Corrado’s car had sounded like her.