9. Chapter 8 Soren
The smell of gasoline is thick in the air as I flick the Zippo into the flammable liquid. An immediate orange flame brightens the area and runs across the perfectly positioned streams of gas. The flames turn from orange to blue as it heats up and takes over the structure.
In seventy-two hours, I’ve gunned down the men who threatened me and lit their drug house on fire. This will serve as a cautionary reminder that the Morettis own this town. If they want to continue to play in my territory, it’s by our rules and our generosity.
“Damn, Soren, remind me not to piss you off.” Cyrus admires my handy work from behind me. “Have you heard from Jude yet?” he asks, already back at our vehicle.
We have the fire station in our pocket. They’re already aware this fire will be close to ashes by the time they get here.
Jude has not used his credit cards since before my party, so I don’t know if I should assume the drug dealers lied and killed him, or if he’s lying low because he thinks he’s a dead man.
Which, he isn’t entirely wrong. Cyrus has that crazy eye twitch that only happens when he’s forced to not kill someone he wants to.
But the whereabouts of Jude isn’t causing me anxiety.
“He’ll show up once he’s out of cash.” I sigh. “There’s something else I need to talk to you guys about…” I pause. “Karissa skipped town and I’m going to need a new wife.”
Cyrus shakes his head and huffs out. “How are you going to find someone and marry them in less than four months?”
My emotions are everywhere. I’m beyond relieved that I don’t have to spend the rest of my life with Karissa, but sick to my stomach about the idea of losing my inheritance. I’ve set my entire life around what I gained with marriage, it never occurred to me that it wouldn’t happen. Without my inheritance, I can’t expand the empire I’m creating.
“I don’t know.” I shake my head.
The more I expand, the more valuable to the family I am. They can’t deny me underboss if I’m grossing them a shit ton of money. I’ll have it all: money, loyalty, respect. Without that inheritance, I wouldn’t put it past my father to put someone else in that position when the time comes. I’ll stay a Capo for the rest of my life.
Neither of us say a word as we drive back to the warehouse. My mind swirls, wanting a plan, but it never comes to mind.
We step out, walking farther into the building. Atticus is closing up a box of hand guns. Each gun is concealed by being placed into a stuffed animal.
“Karissa’s father has been crying that we won’t do business with him until his daughter is found,” Atticus mentions as he continues to load our product.
I shrug. “Maybe she shouldn’t have gone MIA. I’ve kept my side of the bargain.”
“Can she be found?” He pauses and stares at me with his brow cocked.
“I didn’t do anything that can cause a dispute.” I smile, showing my teeth. Her disappearance has released a weight I didn’t realize I was carrying.
“Any names come to mind for the new wife?” Cyrus says.
I rub at the stumble of my jaw. “Someone loyal.”
My mind reels through every woman I’ve ever met. Every other one being the face of Ginevra Pasello. My best friend’s sister. The one woman in the whole wide world who can’t stand me.
As if reading my mind, Atticus adds, “What about Ginevra Pasello?”
I consider it for a moment. I’d be pushing Gin into a loveless life. As much as we fight, I can’t do that to her. I may have threatened her with an arranged marriage, but I’m not willing to condemn her myself. I would be lying if the idea hasn’t got me to think about it. No, she deserves so much better. Her gorgeous face pops into my head and I can’t help but remember the first time I thought she was beautiful. It was on her sixteenth birthday. No. I can’t marry her. I would never know how to love her properly.
“No. Not her,” I say, my voice stern. It’s said with too much force and both my brothers take note and lift their brows. “She hasn’t been brought up in the mafia. At least Karissa knew what she was walking into.”
“Man, I hate to break it to you, but you don’t have much time,” Cyrus responds.
“You’re Don now. Can’t you fix this?”
He shakes his head. “This is ironclad. Our parents made sure of it. I believe Ma thought she was protecting us. No one knew how this would play out.”
“All you have to do is walk out on the street and pick a girl,” Atticus tells me, his tone that of someone discussing buying fruit at a store. Like it’s no big deal. Which it isn’t. That’s how I became engaged to Karissa. Why is it different this time? “No one is going to tell you no.”
Ginevra would tell me no, but that’s not the problem. She could tell me no all she wanted. At the end of the day though, we could easily arrange it so that she doesn’t have a choice in the matter. The problem is, I don’t want some girl who has no loyalty. We won’t love each other, but loyalty is important to me.
The thought of having to talk to some gold digger has me cringing. Is that enough for me to condemn Ginevra to a life she would hate?