I looked for a glimmer of sadness or melancholy in his voice, but there was nothing. I rested my hands in my lap, intertwining my fingers. There was less chance that Dante would notice my trembling like that. “YES. He told me a few days ago.”
“I realize it has been less than a year since your husband’s funeral, but my father is retiring at the end of the year and I am expected to be married when I take his place.”
I lowered my eyes as my chest tightened with buried emotions. Antony had not been a good husband, not just any husband, but he was my friend and I had known him all my life, so I had agreed to marry him . Of course I had been naive, I had not realized what it would really mean to marry a man who was not interested in me, or in women in general. I would have wanted to help him. Being gay was not something tolerated in the Mafia. If anyone had found out that Antonio liked men like that, they would have killed him. When he had asked for my help, I had jumped at the chance, secretly hoping I could convince him . I thought that he might decide not to be gay anymore, I thought that sooner or later we could have a real marriage, but that hope was quickly shattered. That’s why an evil and selfish part of me had felt relieved when Anthony had died. I thought I was finally free to find a man who loved me, or at least wanted me. Fortunately, it was only a very small part, and I felt guilty every time I remembered it. Still, maybe this was my chance. Perhaps my second marriage would finally provide me with a husband who saw me as more than a necessary evil.
Dante seemed to misunderstand my silence. “If it’s too soon for you, we can still cancel our arrangements.”
Mom would kill me and Dad would probably be struck down by a stroke. “No,” I said quickly. “All right. I was lost in memories for a moment.” I gave him a smile. He did not return it; he just looked at me with cold attention.
“Very well,” he said finally. “I would like to discuss with you the preparations and the time leading up to the event .
Two months is not a long time, but since this wedding will not be a big event, we should be fine.
I nodded. Part of me was sad at the idea that this wedding would be a quiet event, but so soon after Antony’s death anything bigger would be tacky, and since it was the second wedding for both Dante and me, I had to insist that a splendid celebration would be ridiculous.
“Why did you choose me? I’m sure there were many other viable options.” I had been wondering this since Father had told me about his arrangement with Dante. I knew it was a question I shouldn’t ask. Mother would have made a scene if she had been present.
Dante’s expression did not change, “Of course. My father suggested your cousin Gianna, but I didn’t want a wife who had just come of age. Unfortunately, most women in their 20s are already married, and most widows are older than me or have children, both of which are unacceptable for a man in my position, as you probably understand.
I nodded. There were so many rules of etiquette when it came to finding the right spouse, especially for a man in Dante’s position, which is why so many were shocked when I was announced as his future wife. Dante had stepped on many toes with that decision.
“So you were the only logical choice. Of course you are still quite young, but that cannot be changed.
For a moment I was stunned and silenced by his emotionless reasoning. I was not as naive as I used to be, but I hoped that at least part of the reason Dante had chosen me was that he was attracted to me, found me cute, or at least charming to some degree, but this cold explanation destroyed that small glimmer of hope.
“I’m twenty-three,” I said in a surprisingly calm voice.
Perhaps Dante’s detachment had rubbed off on me. If so, I would become known as the ice queen in no time. “She is not young by our marriage standards.”
“Twelve years younger than me. That’s more than I would have liked.” His late wife was only two years younger than him and they had been married for almost twelve years before she died of cancer. However, from the way he said it, it sounded as if I had forced him to marry me . Most men in our world took young lovers once their wives got older, yet Dante was sorry that I was too young.
“Then maybe you should look for another wife. I did not ask you to marry me.” As soon as the words were spoken, I put my hand over my mouth, then met Dante’s gaze. He didn’t look angry, he didn’t look like anything. His face was the same as always. Stoic and emotionless. “I’m sorry. That was very rude. I shouldn’t have said that.”
Dante shook his head. Not a single hair moved out of line.
There was not even a speck of dirt on the legs of his pants, despite the snowy November weather. “It’s okay. I didn’t mean to offend you.”
I wished it didn’t sound so blase, but I couldn’t help it, at least until we were married. ” You didn’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have teased you.”
“Let’s get back on track. There are still a few things we need to discuss and unfortunately I have a meeting scheduled for tonight and an early flight tomorrow morning.”
“You are going to New York for Matteo and Gianna’s engagement.” My family had not received an invitation. As with Aria’s engagement party, only immediate family members and respective mob bosses from New York and Chicago had been invited .
I was actually happy. It would be the first social even after my engagement to Dante was made public. Gossip and curious looks would follow me everywhere.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but then disappeared . “Yes Certainly.” He slipped his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. I took it from him and opened it. Inside was a diamond engagement ring. Only a few weeks ago I had taken off the wedding band and engagement ring Antonio had given me. They had never meant much to me anyway.
“I hope you like the design.”
“Yes Thank you.” After a moment’s hesitation, I pulled out the ring and put it on my finger. Dante had given no sign that he wanted to do it for me. My gaze darted to his right hand and my stomach plummeted. He was still wearing his old wedding ring. Another strange burst of disappointment filled me. If he had worn it after all this time, must he still be in love with his dead wife, or was it simply a matter of habit?
He noticed my gaze and for the first time his stoic mask slipped but he was gone so quickly that I was not sure I had really seen him. He gave me neither an explanation nor an apology, but I did not expect them from a man like him.
“Your father asks that we have a social outing before the actual wedding. Since we all agreed that a real engagement party is not necessary…” I had never been asked, but I wasn’t surprised either. “… I propose that we attend the Scuderi family’s annual Christmas party together.”
From what I remembered, my family had been at the Scuderi home on the first Sunday of Advent. “That sounds like a reasonable idea.” Dante gave me a big smile. “Then it’s all settled. I’ll let your father know when I come to pick you up.”
“You can tell me. I have a phone and am able to use it.
Dante stared at him.
For a second there was a shadow of amusement on his face. “Of course. If that’s what you prefer.” He pulled the phone out of his pocket.
“What’s your number?”
I needed a moment to suppress a snort of ungentlemanly laughter before I could give it to him.
When he had finished typing, he put the phone back in his jacket, then straightened up without adding anything else. I stood up, too, and took the time to smooth out the nonexistent creases in my skirt to mask my annoyance behind scholastic pleasantness.
“Thank you for your time,” she said formally. I really hoped he would relax after our wedding. He was not always so reserved. I had heard stories about how he had established his position as heir to his father’s title and how efficient he was when it came to dealing with traitors and enemies.
There was something dark and wild behind his ice prince behavior.
“Please.” I started toward the door but Dante preceded me and held it open for me. I said a quick thank you before entering our lobby. “I’m going to call my parents so they can say goodbye.”
“Actually, I’d like to talk privately with your father before we leave.”
It was useless to try to get any information from his expression, so I didn’t bother. Instead I went down the hall and knocked on the door of my father’s office. The voices inside died down, and a moment later my father opened the door. Mom was right behind him. I could tell from the look on her face that she was eager to bombard me with questions, but Dante was next to me.
“Dante would like to talk to you,” I said, then turned to Dante. “Until the Christmas party.” I considered the ‘idea of brushing his cheeks with my lips, but quickly discarded the idea. Instead, I tilted my head with a smile before leaving. My mother’s heels resounded behind me, then she stepped beside me. She linked our arms together.
“How did it go? Dante didn’t look very happy. Did you do something to offend him?”
I glanced at her. “Of course not. Dante’s face froze in one expression.
“Shhh.” Mother looked behind us. “What if he hears you?”
I didn’t think he would care.
Mom scrutinized my face. “You should be happy, Valentina.
You won your husband’s lottery, and I’m sure that beneath Dante’s cold exterior lies a passionate lover.” “Mom, please.”
So far in my life I had suffered two sex talks with my mother: the one in which she tried to tell me about the birds and the bees when I was fifteen years old and already well acquainted with the mechanics of sex. Even in a Catholic girls’ school this information at some point spread . And the second, just before my marriage to Anthony. I didn’t think I would survive a third.
But I hoped he was right. Thanks to Antony’s disinterest in women, I had never had the chance to enjoy a passionate lover, or any lover really. I was more than ready to finally shed my virginity, even if it meant running the risk of Dante finding out that my first marriage had been just for show, but I would cross that bridge when I got to it.