Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
I suppose he doesn’t use them as much as he used to. With my mother gone, he has no one to make him laugh.
“Alejandra.” He motions to the chair opposite his. His rough voice commands, “Sit.”
I don’t want to sit.
I want to run.
I look to my brother for help. He shakes his head, eyeing the chair. I swallow hard, my heart pounding in time with my steps till I finally seat myself.
Papa sighs then stands. He paces. “I have called you here today to discuss something with you. Something of importance. I’m afraid we need to discuss this rather quickly. There isn’t much time.”
My brother’s warm brown eyes darken a shade. I see him bite the inside of his cheek. His face turns a deep shade of red and the vein at his temple throbs. It looks as though he’s about to snap.
The sight causes ice-cold fear to coil deep in my belly. Miguel doesn’t lose his temper. He’s a gentleman, patient and controlled.
My heart races. Something is very wrong here.
Not sure what to say, I nod once to let him know I’m listening. He continues, “Grave times we’re in. It’s not enough to be your own people anymore. There’s safety in numbers.” He pauses, planting his palms flat on his desk, leaning toward me. “There is a time in every person’s life where sacrifices must be made for the sake of the greater good. Understand?”
I nod. I do understand. I understand that my father spends a lot of time away from home to maintain the good life we have. This is his sacrifice, and he makes it without complaint.
I appreciate what he does for us, not that I know for sure what he does. It’s not my business. I’m just a woman.
His lips curve in what I’m sure is an attempt at a smile, but it comes off as a grimace. He mutters quietly, “Always a good girl. I’m so lucky to have you.”
My heart beams as warmth spreads through me, melting away some of the frozen fear inside me. It warms me to my very toes. But my brother’s fists ball so hard that his knuckles turn white. Miguel hisses behind my father, “Tell her.”
Papa’s feeble smile wanes, looking mildly irritated by the interruption. “Yes. Of course.” Moving around the desk, my father sits on the edge of it and takes my hand in one of his, patting it gently with the other. As a girl, this was my everything. Looking up into my father’s smiling eyes while he spoke about this and that, it never really mattered what he was talking about, only that his attention was warm and unwavering.
But then he drops a bomb. “You’re going to marry Dino, son of Vito Gambino.”
He says this without feeling, without reaction, without emotion.
My grip on his hand weakens, but he holds it firm. In support? I don’t know. The blood drains from my face. My lips part and my breathing shallows.
My stomach is coiled tighter than a knot. It feels as though my body is attempting to strangle itself.
Licking my dry lips, I utter a quivering and hushed, “Why?”
My father takes a moment, never letting go of my hand, and he thinks carefully about what he is about to say. “The Gambinos aren’t unlike us. The Italians are family people, but they have some issues amongst themselves. Can’t trust each other. Each family has a different motive. Vito came to me seeking peace. And his offer was welcome. He treated me with respect and spoke to me about where he sees our families in ten years. And his vision”—he squeezes my hand—“is one I share.”
The bridge of my nose aches and my eyes sting. “Papa, I’m only eighteen…”
I’m grasping at straws here. This statement makes no sense, even to me. Thankfully, my brother comes to my aid.
Miguel cuts in. “Raul has been courting Alejandra since they were sixteen, Papa. You gave your blessing. This is…” his anger gets the better of him when he spits, “this is madness. It’s just not… It’s just not done. Not in this day and age.”
Yes! Oh, God, yes!
In the five minutes I’ve been here, I forgot about my boyfriend. He’ll help me. I know he will.
My father stands and spins, facing Miguel. In a deathly calm, he utters, “You have a better idea? This is an alliance we need, mi hijo. Alejandra understands. Sacrifices must be made. She does this for the family.” He turns to me, eyes full of pride. “It is an honor.”
The first of my tears falls. My throat thick, I whisper, “I don’t want to marry Dino. I want to marry Raul.”
My father turns back to me, gazing at me with dead eyes. “I called Raul in this morning. In promising him Veronica’s hand, he will give you up.”