Crimson Vows: A Dark Mafia Romance

Chapter 4

Iglide the crimson dress over my head, pulling the fabric down until it hugs my curves like a lover’s caress. When I do a quick turn in front of the mirror, it molds to my frame, accentuating each dip and rise with purpose. With a last sweep of gloss over my lips, I’m ready. Confidence surges through me, with a wave of self-assuredness as I remind myself I was forged in this life and deserve to be here.

I jump at the sound of my phone, the ringtone startling me, an unexpected siren. Nico’s name flashes across my phone screen. I press the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” My even voice betrays none of the intrigue that tightens my stomach into knots.

“Hey, Gia,” Nico says. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Nothing that can’t wait,” I lie smoothly, glancing at the clock. Ticking seconds mock me.

“Good,” he hesitates. “I’ve wanted to call you for a couple of days now.”

“You have?”

“Since I saw you at Vincent’s, I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

“Thanks... I think,” I reply with an awkward laugh.

“It’s absolutely a compliment,” he assures me.

I feel the heat rising in my cheeks, a mixture of surprise and flattery. The night I saw him get shot, not knowing if he would live or die, definitely ignited something in me that led me to do what I did to my father. As much guilt as I carry every day for murdering my father, a part of me knew it had to be done because Nico is still here.

“So is that the only reason you called? To tell me you’ve been thinking about me?” I press, noticing the time slipping away from me.

“Oh no. I mean... Sorry. I guess I wanted to follow up on that thing we discussed.”

“Thing?” I repeat, knowing full well he was referring to us going on a date.

“Yeah, uh, maybe you forgot. I was hoping, maybe if you weren’t too busy, you might want to go out... with me.”

My heart skips a beat as his words linger like a promise. “Are you asking me out, Nico?” My words are a soft tease.

“Is that a yes?” His guarded optimism threads through the connection, pulling at me.

“Maybe.” The word lingers between us, suspended.

“Well, yes then. If you’re available tomorrow afternoon, I would love to take you out on a date.”

“Tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” Nico confirms. “An afternoon date, nothing too fancy. We can grab a bite to eat, maybe take a walk in the park.”

I chew on my bottom lip, considering his offer. The prospect of spending time with Nico stirs a mix of anticipation within me.

“Okay,” I finally reply, unable to resist the temptation of the unknown. “Tomorrow sounds lovely.”

“Great. I’ll send you all the details later.”

We exchange a few more pleasantries before ending the call. Setting my phone on the dresser, I gather my thoughts. My heart pounds in my chest as I contemplate the choices before me. Nico and Marco. Both.

I smooth down a rogue strand of hair, excitement still fluttering in my stomach, when a firm knock shatters my focus. I stride to the door and pull it open.

Marco fills the frame, his presence commanding, his dark eyes locking onto mine. “Can I come in?” He doesn’t wait for an invitation. “We need to talk about earlier.”

I step aside. “Of course.”

He strides past, the scent of him—woodsmoke and intent—wrapping around me. I close the door and follow him into my sanctuary, now tainted by tension.

“Have a seat,” I state. Marco doesn’t just sit; he owns the space, legs spread, an elbow resting on the back of the sofa. I hate that I find the way he moves with authority so intoxicating.

“Look, Gia...” Marco’s eyes never stray, his voice threading through the charged silence. “I’ve been thinking about our conversation since you left.”

“That was the point.” I stand my ground, crossing my arms over my chest. “And what conclusion have you come to?” My voice is steady, but a tremor of uncertainty lurks beneath the surface.

Marco’s gaze flickers with determination. “First, I want you to know I’ll talk to Patrick. I should have done that right away, so that’s on me. They need to know you are working with me and have my blessing to make decisions and oversee the operations on the other side of the business as well.”

I nod slowly, understanding the importance of this step. It would give me the authority I need to establish a name outside of Vincent or my father, but it’s still not enough. This arrangement only works as long as I allow Marco to have a place in my life.

“That might address the immediate issue,” I say, keeping my voice firm. “But what about the long-term? If I agree to this year-long dating arrangement, what assurances do I have you won’t strip everything away from me if... if I don’t end up loving you?”

He studies me, his eyes like dark mirrors reflecting a future I can’t yet see. A slow smile creeps over his lips, one that doesn’t quite reach those probing eyes.

“I have a pretty good feeling you will end up loving me.” His arrogance infuriates and excites me.

I scoff, unable to hide my incredulity. “You have a ‘pretty good feeling’?” I repeat, my voice laced with disbelief. “That’s not exactly a convincing argument.”

He leans forward, his gaze intense as he locks eyes with mine. “Gia, you were willing to marry Vincent without love,” he points out.

“And look where that got me. I told you to come here with a plan to make me feel secure. I’m not hearing one.”

“Fall in love with me or not,” he begins, his tone laced with a challenge. “There’s a way to secure your place.”

“I’m listening.”

He pauses, the weight of his gaze anchoring me in place. “Marry me, Gia.”

The words hang in the air, heavy and unexpected. “Marry you?” The question tumbles out, tinged with disbelief. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Think about it,” he urges, leaning forward. “If we go ahead and get married, you will be given the respect of the woman whose husband is one of the top leaders in this family.”

“You mean, I’ll be a laughingstock when people see I was set to marry the head of the family, and I was tossed aside and given to you as some sort of consolation prize.”

He leans forward, his eyes searching mine for any signs of surrender. “Fuck that! I will kill anyone who dares to disparage my bride. I mean it, Gia. Marry me now.”

My mind reels, trying to process his audacious proposal. He wants me to marry him? I’ve only barely wrapped my mind around our current arrangement. I push aside my initial shock and meet his gaze head-on.

“Marco, I agreed to date you for a year. That’s it,” I say firmly.

Marco sighs, frustration etching lines onto his forehead. “I promise, with our marriage, you’ll have the respect and authority you deserve. As my wife, you’ll hold a position of power within the Mafia world, a position that would make it easier for you to run all the businesses that once belonged to your father.”

His words hang in the air, tempting me with the possibilities and raising countless questions and doubts in my mind.

“What do you get out of this? Why do you even want to marry me?”

Marco’s eyes soften, his voice taking on a tender note. “Will you sit next to me?”

I hesitate for a moment, torn between resistance and curiosity. But something in Marco’s earnest gaze makes me move, sinking onto the couch beside him.

He reaches out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t grow up in a home with parents who loved me or each other. My mom cared more about her next fix, and after my dad died, the only family examples I saw were my uncle Edward and my cousins.”

“What does this have to do with us?”

“That summer I drove for you and your father, I loved seeing how you two cared about each other. It was the first time in my life that I thought maybe one day I might actually want a family.”

I can’t stop myself from laughing. “Yeah? You want to have a daughter who kills you one day, huh?”

Marco shakes his head. “Stop that. You can’t keep doing this to yourself. You saved our lives that night, and as terrible as it has been for you, I saw a woman who would never back down from her convictions.”

I sigh, not wanting to hear anything more about that terrible night. “You still haven’t explained why you would want to marry me. Realizing you want a family because you saw me with my dad doesn’t mean anything. What is it about me that makes you want this?”

“When I found out you were supposed to marry Vincent, it pissed me off so fucking much. I was so confused why it made me so mad, and that’s when I realized it was because I wanted you. When I look at you, I see a woman who is so much more than someone’s possession. You’re not only one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen, but you’re also strong, smart, and fiercely loyal to those who deserve it.”

I shake my head, unable to see myself as the woman Marco describes. “You can’t say that. You only think you know this stuff about me.”

“Gia, you’ve always been different from the rest of them,” Marco replies. “And when Vincent screwed up the opportunity to marry the perfect woman, I couldn’t help but see it as an opportunity.”

A mix of emotions swirls within me—confusion, doubt, and a flicker of something I can’t quite grasp. Marco’s words touch something profound inside me, awakening a desire for more.

But marriage? A lifetime commitment to a man I’m not sure I love? Hell, the idea of giving myself to one man for the rest of my life is probably scarier than anything I’ve ever faced.

“When I think about you, all I want is to protect you and be by your side every step of the way. If marrying me would provide you with the security and authority you need, I would feel honored to be your husband.”

I search his eyes for sincerity and find only earnestness staring back at me. Maybe this proposal is worth considering.

“What if I never love you?” I finally ask the question that has been lingering between us.

Marco’s gaze softens, his voice gentle as he replies, “I believe you will because I know I am committed to spending every day of our lives showing you why you should. But even if you don’t, I know our marriage can still work.”

“You really think you could be happy, knowing I don’t love you?”

He shrugs. “I guess I’m pretty confident you will love me.”

“I know you think you love me now, but you have no idea how hard I am to actually love. I meant what I said when I told you I wanted to see other men.”

“Are you saying you would still want to see other men after we are married?” Marco pauses, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

I tilt my head. “If I’m going to agree to this, I want to be clear about my expectations. I need to maintain my autonomy and the freedom to explore my own desires.”

Marco’s jaw tightens, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You want an open marriage?”

I shrug, the weight of my words resting heavily in the air between us. “If that’s what you want to call it. I’m not apologizing that I like being desired, and I don’t want to lie about what I want. If I were born a boy, I wouldn’t have to ask for permission to satisfy my desires.”

His gaze flickers with a mix of conflicted emotions. “And what if one day you find someone you love? What happens then?”

I take a deep breath. Trying to steady myself amid the tumult of emotions swirling within me, I state, “I’m not looking to have an emotional connection with another man. It would only be sex.”

“I think I can share your body, but I won’t share your heart,” Marco states firmly.

“I wouldn’t ask you to.”

Marco’s expression softens, his gaze filled with longing and uncertainty. “When I think about a future with you, the idea of sharing you isn’t part of the picture. But I also know with every fiber of my being we could be so good together.”

“So you’re okay with me seeing other men?” I attempt to clarify.

“I’ll give you the freedom to date other men as long as you’re discreet and promise you will never make a fool of me.”

I take a moment to process his words. I didn’t expect this when I told Marco he needed to come to me with a plan, but maybe he’s not wrong. I was willing to marry Vincent in a similar arrangement. At least, Marco seems to want me for me rather than some play to secure power like Vincent.

“I need time to think about it.”

Marco’s eyes darken, a flicker of something dangerous passing through them before it’s quelled by that ever-present control. He leans forward, hands clasped, elbows resting on his knees. “You can take all the time you need, Gia, but I know we can make this work,” he says, voice low and firm. “A marriage—discreet, without scandal. You won’t embarrass me, and I’ll give you everything.”

Everything. The word hangs between us, tantalizing and terrifying.

Rising, he extends a hand, gently tugging me to my feet. “Our date, then? Let tonight be about possibilities, not decisions.”

“That sounds perfect.”

“Your carriage awaits, princess.” Marco’s voice is softer now, persuasive. He believes in what we could be together; I see it in how he looks at me. As much as I want to believe him, I’m not sure I’m capable of that level of trust.

I nod, letting him lead me to the door.

A sleek black car is parked on the street in front of my brownstone. Marco extends his hand, and I take it. The warmth of his palm is a stark contrast to the cool evening air.

“Ready?” His voice is a low hum, a song meant to soothe wild beasts—or perhaps wary women.

I let my eyes linger on him for a moment before I smile at him and honestly tell him, “I’m excited.”

I think about Marco’s proposal as we slide into the car and head toward our evening. I have never had a man be so direct and honest about what he wants and is willing to offer in return. It’s refreshing in a twisted way.

The car glides through the city streets, the familiar sights blurring past me as my mind races with questions and doubts. The thought of Nico lingers in the back of my mind, his unexpected request for a date still fresh in my memory. Marco made it clear that while my body is mine to share, my heart would not be. I know I have a connection with Nico, so if I choose to marry Marco, it would be wisest to avoid that relationship.

I glance at Marco, his profile carved in shadows against the passing city lights. There’s an intensity about him that both entices and frightens me. He’s dangerous, but so am I. He might be onto something with this revision to his proposal.

Once at the restaurant, we are shown to our table. He pulls out my chair, his gaze lingering on mine.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

“Fine,” I snap, then add, “Just thinking.”

“About?” His eyebrow arches, a silent challenge.

I chuckle lightly. “Choices,” I answer, and he lets the statement rest as the server approaches a moment later.

“Remember, tonight isn’t about making decisions. I want you to enjoy your time with me. Tell me a secret,” he says suddenly, leaning forward.

“A secret?” I laugh. “Secrets are currency, Marco. Are you sure you can afford mine?” My reply is playful but edged with truth.

His smile doesn’t falter. “Try me.”

I lean back in my chair, studying him through narrowed eyes. “Alright, but remember, you asked for it.”

His gaze locks onto mine, intense and unwavering. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

I take a deep breath, contemplating how much of myself I’m willing to reveal to this man. After hesitating, I test how serious Marco is about letting me have other men in my life.

“You’re not the only man vying for my attention currently,” I confess, gauging his reaction.

Marco’s expression remains impassive, but a flicker of something in his eyes hints at his surprise. “Is that so?”

I nod, keeping my voice low. “Someone you know, in fact.”

A muscle in Marco’s jaw twitches. “I see.”

The tension between us crackles like electricity, an invisible battle of wills hanging heavily in the air.

“Why are you telling me this?” he finally asks. “Are you trying to make me jealous?”

“You said you wanted me to tell you a secret.” A ghost of a smile plays on the corners of my lips.

“Who?” he asks, his voice low and controlled.

I take a moment to savor the power that comes with revealing this secret, knowing that Marco is about to enter a world of uncertainty and jealousy. “Nico,” I answer calmly.

Marco’s eyes darken, a storm brewing within them. “Nico? Like Nico-Nico?”

“Yes.” I laugh, carefully watching his reaction. “How many Nicos do you think I know?”

He shrugs.

“Is this going to be a problem?” I ask, eyeing him.

“When did this happen?”

“He called and asked me out right before you got to my place.”

Marco runs a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “And you agreed?”

I nod, unable to hide the small thrill from stirring up his emotions. “I did. He said after I stopped by the penthouse the other day he couldn’t stop thinking about me.”

“Are you attracted to him?”

I hesitate, weighing my words carefully. “Yes, there’s an attraction there.”

A tense silence settles between us as we process what has been said. “Are you attracted to me?” Marco’s voice is low, almost a growl, as he asks the question. I hold his gaze, refusing to look away, and let the truth spill forth from my lips.

“Yes,” I say softly, my voice tinged with sincerity. “There’s an undeniable attraction between us.”

Relief washes over Marco’s features, his shoulders relaxing ever so slightly.

“I won’t lie and say it doesn’t bother me,” he confesses, his tone tinged with vulnerability and possessiveness. “But you’ve been honest with me from the start. And if this is what it takes for you to truly consider my proposal, I’ll figure out how to deal with my feelings.”

His words catch me off guard. “You are such a...” I search for the right word.

“Catch?” he finishes for me, his lips curving in a knowing smile.

“I was going to say surprise.”

“I bet there are a few more things I could do tonight that would surprise you as well,” he flirts, and my face flushes hot as a shiver of anticipation runs down my spine.

The dance continues through dinner and dessert. The flirtations move into blatant sexual advances by each of us. A part of me wants to resist, to push him away and not seem so easy. But another part yearns for a night of passion. I haven’t been with a man since my night with Vincent, and while I am still mourning my father, I have been neglecting my needs.

Marco narrows his eyes at me. “What do you say we take this back to my place?”

“Actually,” I whisper, not eager to give him the upper hand, “I was thinking about my place instead?”

Immediately, Marco waves toward the server. “We need the check, please, and as fast as humanly possible would be much appreciated.”

I can’t help but giggle in response to Marco’s enthusiastic reply. His humor is a welcomed relief to the intensity of our day-to-day lives.

We quickly settle the bill, and Marco offers his arm as we leave the restaurant. The night air is cool against my skin. Still, the heat between us radiates, creating an invisible force field that only we can feel. I can sense Marco’s anticipation as we step into the car.

As the car speeds toward my place, Marco’s hand rests on my thigh, and his touch sends electricity coursing through my veins. No matter what decision I make about Marco’s proposal, one thing is certain—the night ahead promises to be unforgettable.