7 Mad at Myself Luciana POV I stare out the window as the car lurches forward. I try to ignore the hushed conversation that is happening between my mother and Marie. "Luciana, are you alright sweetheart," my mother asks. I turn forcing a reassuring smile on my face. I knew I shouldn't allow myself to think of my marriage to Enzo as real, but like the romantic I am, I did. "I'm fine, mama." "I'm so sorry, Luciana. I have no idea what the boy was thinking. I promise my husband will deal with him," Marie says. "No, it's not necessary. I don't want a husband that has to be forced to be faithful by his father." She reaches out, taking my hand in hers. I expect her to beg me to reconsider, but instead she simply nods. After we drop Marie off, my mother pulls me to her side and plays with my hair like she did when I was a child. I fight the tears that I want to fall. Tears of anger and sadness. "Everything will work out principessa," she says. "You are a beautiful young woman. You deserve a man that isn't led by his peeshadeel," she says. I giggle and my mother presses a kiss on my temple. The car pulling to a stop has me sitting up and straightening my dress. The door opens and Herbito offers me his hand. I take it stepping out. He offers me a reassuring smile. My mom links her arm with mine as we make our way to the front door. As soon as we step inside, I'm shocked to see my father striding toward us. The look on his face lets me know something has pissed him off, and I have a sinking feeling I know what it is. The men must have updated him. When he reaches me, he pulls me into his strong arms. The tears I've been fighting start to fall. I hate myself for crying over that pr*ck. I didn't even want to marry him. I hate him for making me like him. Hell, if I'm being honest, I may not be in love, but I definitely saw a future with him." I compose myself before I step out of my papa's embrace. I look into his eyes and, for the first time in my life, I feel a sense of fear. I know who my father is and what he is capable of, but I've never seen that side of him. I know his anger isn't directed at me, but I don't want him to kill Enzo. He doesn't deserve to die because he's a man-w***e. Besides, my father and Marco have been friends since they were children. "Papa, please don't." "He disrespected you. He disrespected this family. That cannot go unpunished," he says through gritted teeth. "Then cancel the betrothal. Offer me up to some other man that will benefit the family" I say before I step around him. I rush up the stairs despite him calling my name. I don't know why the thought of not being with Enzo hurts. I mean he had either f**ked that woman or planned to f**k her. He couldn't even control his urges for a month. I know what is expected of a bride, and I was not only ready but excited to experience it with him. I may not have been in deep love with Enzo, but he made me feel beautiful and respected when we were together. I should have known it was bulls*t. I guess having no real experience with men made it easy for him to make me believe he was serious about making ours a real marriage. I slam the door to my room, locking it behind me. I need some time alone to compose myself. I head straight for the bathroom and strip off the high-waisted pants and silk blouse I wore shopping. I stare at myself standing in just my bra and panties. The woman with Enzo was stick thin with a model's body. Maybe that's what he prefers. Maybe he never really thought I was beautiful. Well f**k him. I love my body, and I'm sure there are many men that will too. Anger and sadness flow through me in equal measure. I turn from the mirror and strip off the rest of my clothes. I step under the hot spray of the shower and close my eyes. I try to clear my thoughts, but the scene from the restaurant is too fresh in my mind. Why would he take her there? What would possess him to take her to the same place he took me? What if this wasn't the first time he took her there? What if he took me to the same place he takes the women he sleeps with? The sadness and hurt swirling inside me morph into anger. I step out of the shower and dry off. Once I lotion myself, I slip into a pair of silk shorts and a camisole. Grabbing my phone, I push my reading app. Anything to take my mind off the swell of emotions that continue to plague my thoughts. I open the book I've been reading, Bribing the Billionaire's Revenge by Tatienne Richard. Despite my best efforts, I can't focus on the story. Grabbing my earbuds, I decide to listen to music. Before I can even push play there is a knock on my bedroom door. I'm tempted not to answer it, but I know my family well enough to know they aren't going away. I push off the bed, making my way over just as the person on the other side knocks again. "Open up Luciana. We aren't going away," Vivi says and I smile. I pull open the door, and she practically knocks me over. This is one thing I can always count on, my sisters. Enzo POV As I pull up to the house, I debate whether pulling my own gun out and shooting myself would be less painful than what I'm about to endure. I'm sure my father is waiting for me and he isn't happy. What the f**k was I thinking about taking Amelia to my aunt's restaurant? She begged me to take her there and, since I never expected in a million years for my mother or Luciana to be there, I didn't think it would hurt. F**k I say out loud as I bang my hands on the steering wheel one last time. I step out of my car only to find my younger brother smirking on the stairs like he just won. I will be damned before I let my father give him the title of Don. I start to walk toward him but decide to just head inside. I make it up two steps before his words stop me in my tracks. "Welcome back brother. I guess I should thank you," he says smugly. I head back toward him and grab him by the collar. "Let's get one thing straight, you will never take my birthright from me." "Don't be dramatic, Enzo. I'm not taking your birthright. I'm taking your bride. Papa has already talked to Don Rizzo. Seems he isn't very happy with you for hurting his principessa today," Antonio says. "The f**k you are. Luciana is mine." "Not from what I heard. I heard your steady wh*re was with you today. Couldn't even wait till you got the ring on her finger to turn into papa," Antonio says. I push him away from me and turn to head inside. As soon as step into the house, a fist connects with my stomach, knocking the air from my lungs. I drop to my knees, gasping for breath. The next punch is to the face. I spit blood on the floor when my head snaps back. I do nothing to defend myself because I know fighting back will only make it worse. The next punch has me laying flat on my back. My father steps over me and spits next to me on the ground. "You are a disgrace to the Caruso name. Disrespecting the Don of Dons is a death sentence. Lucky for you, Luciana asked that you not be killed. She asked that you be shown mercy, but the betrothal that was arranged is now null. I offered your brother in your place. You better pray that Luciana accepts it, or I will disown you," my father says. "Papa, I'm sorry. I will make things right. I will apologize to Luciana." "You will do no such thing. You will leave the girl alone. Hopefully your brother can do a better job of keeping his d*ck in his pants until after his vows if given the opportunity to be Luciana's husband," he says. "No, he can't have her. She is meant to be mine" I yell back at him. He eyes me suspiciously. "Why do you care so much now? Before you were pissed about the betrothal. Now you are practically foaming at the mouth at the thought of your brother with her," he says. "Is this about your title? You are better prepared to take over even if you don't deserve it," he says. "No, this is about Luciana. I truly feel she is the best woman to stand by my side. She knows what is expected of a mafia bride. Our marriage will bring our family power and I refuse to give that up over a misunderstanding." "Well, unfortunately, that's not up to you. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go reassure your mother she isn't a failure, since that's all she has been saying since she got back today," my father says. Guilt twists in my gut like a knife. Not only did I hurt Luciana, but I hurt my mother. I take the stairs two at a time until I reach my room. Once I'm inside, I lock the door and begin to pace. What the hell can I say to her that will get her to continue with the marriage? I dial her number and hold my breath as it rings and rings. When it finally goes to voicemail, I leave a message. "Luciana, please call me back. I know I f**ked up today but I promise I didn't have s*x with Amelia. Please forgive me for my moment of weakness. Please don't marry my brother. It will kill me to see you with him. Please forgive me Luciana. I promise I will spend the rest of our lives making it up to you." I disconnect the call and say a prayer that my words are enough to get her to call me back. I pitch the phone across the room. How the f**k did everything go to sh*t in a day?