Chapter 2 | Bianca
Bianca
The wedding reception was incredibly boring, much like all the events my father had forced me to attend since I turned eighteen.
Much to his dismay, my mother hadn’t given him a son, so I’d become the family’s only bargaining chip.
When Mom passed away several years ago, I’d understood there was no one left to protect me; no one left to prevent my father from promising me in marriage to help his business.
I thought he might marry me to one of the capos in his organization, but he’d suffered too many recent disasters for that to be an option. To smooth the situation over with the Rossis and the other families, my father had offered me to Victor.
“Would you like to dance, my dear?” a deep voice asked as I stood in the corner by the bar, observing the dance floor.
Victor Rossi stood beside me, his white hair slicked back above his dark eyes and expressionless face. He carried an air of importance, but also one of cruelty, and my eyes stung with the knowledge that I would have to give my virginity to this man in a week.
“Sure,” I said softly, placing my hand in his and allowing him to lead me to the dance floor. Sinatra sang Fly Me to the Moon as Victor slid his arm around my waist and clutched my other hand.
“You look stunning tonight, Bianca,” he said, his voice filled with a roughness that made me shiver. “Surely I’m the envy of every man in the room.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a weak smile. “That’s very kind of you, Victor.”
I swayed in his arms, noting how my body revolted at his touch; so different than how I’d felt just moments ago on the dock.
When Michael Caruso approached, I was pissed at the invasion of privacy.
But as we spoke, my body had slowly transformed into one I didn’t recognize.
Blood had pulsed through every vein in my body as his deep voice spoke words that would likely get him killed if anyone heard them.
My heart had slammed in my chest as he’d spoke of saving me, his features so handsome under the stars and full moon.
I’d remained antagonistic, mostly because his musings were futile. He couldn’t save me, and we both knew it. No one could. I was destined to live a life without choice; without freedom. And if I dissented, I would be killed.
Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to dream for one moment.
Visions of me going to college, laughing with girlfriends, and then meeting a man who fell madly in love with me who I could build a family with.
Feeling my eyebrows draw together, I realized the image of my future husband was no other than Michael Caruso.
How strange. I’d only met him for moments, but the impact had been profound.
“If you don’t open your eyes, you might lose your balance,” Victor said dryly, still swaying with me as I escaped into my vision.
“Sorry,” I said, lifting my lids to look upon his weathered face. Thankfully, the song ended and I cleared my throat. “I’m parched. I’m going to head back to my table and sit for a while. Thanks for the dance.”
“There will be much more than a dance next Saturday,” Victor said, his lips curving in a lecherous way that made bile rise in my throat. “I look forward to it, dear.”
Nodding, I turned and rushed to my table, sliding into the seat and chugging a nearby glass of water. Needing fresh air, I decided to head back outside, unable to stay in the stuffy ballroom any longer.
Since I hadn’t had luck with privacy on the dock, I headed down to the beach and removed my heels.
Setting them on a nearby rock, I walked through the sand until I was underneath the dock.
Cold water rushed over my toes, and I wiggled them, observing my purple toenail polish beneath my knee-length dress.
“At least your pedicure looks good, Bianca,” I muttered. “Way to find the positives.”
“You talk to yourself too,” a deep voice said behind me, and I gasped before whirling around and placing my hand over my heart.
“Jesus!” I hissed, gaping at Michael Caruso as he stepped toward me, his bare feet covered in sand. “You scared me to death!”
He stopped a few feet away, eyeing me as his hands rested in his pockets. “Sorry. I saw you beeline from the ballroom and wanted to check on you.”
“Look,” I said, lifting my hand and showing my palm. “I don’t know what game you think you’re playing, but it’s futile. I belong to someone else, and if he sees you speaking to me, he’s not going to be happy.”
Michael closed the distance between us, and I backed toward the nearby wooden dock post, my bare upper back resting against the cold wood.
When there were only inches between us, he slipped his fingers under my chin and tilted my head so I was forced to look into his eyes.
They swirled with limitless emotion under his long eyelashes, like warm chocolate in a cauldron ready to be stirred.
“Let me make something clear, stella,” he said, his voice velvet and rough, all at once. “I’m not afraid of Victor Rossi. He’s a vile man who I plan to bring down once I restore my family’s prominence.”
“That will take years—”
“Yes,” he said with a curt nod. “As previously discussed, time is not on our side. But I feel a deep need to save you, mia. Let me at least try.”
Scoffing, I narrowed my eyes. “By marrying me? Impossible.”
His eyebrows lifted, the gesture both arrogant and endearing. “Impossible for now, but perhaps there is a way that I can extradite you to a place where no one will find you.”
Leaning back against the wooden piling, I allowed myself to truly study him. He gazed at me with the intensity of a man who would move heaven and earth to accomplish his goals, and for some reason, saving me had become his newest aspiration.
“Why do you want to help me?” I whispered. “I don’t even know you.”
He inched closer, pressing his suit-clad body against mine. His lips formed a cocky, knowing smile at my quick inhale.
“There are some things that defy logic, Bianca,” he said, sliding his hand to my neck and gently gripping me there. It should’ve infuriated me, but instead, my body relaxed under his, in tune with his touch as his eyes lit with pleasure.
“You’re young, so you don’t understand how rare this is,” he continued. “The way your pulse beats under my touch...” he ran his thumb over the humming vein in my neck. “The way you respond to me. The indefinable tug we feel toward each other...”
Mesmerized by his words, I tried to unscramble the rapid thoughts swirling in my brain. “You’re not that much older than me.”
“Five years, but it might as well be an eternity. Honestly, I wish I were older so marrying me would be seen as a benefit in your father’s eyes. Sadly, that won’t happen for many years.”
“This is the only life I know, as flawed as it is.” I swallowed the lump in my throat.
“As bewildered as I am by your efforts to help me, I can’t go into hiding.
I’m self-aware enough to admit that I’d fail on my own.
All I can hope is that I give Victor a son quickly, and he allows me to live my life in peace. ”
“He won’t be faithful to you,” Michael said, his eyebrows narrowing. “Everyone is aware of his proclivities for the women who work at his clubs.”
Grimacing, I breathed a laugh. “God, I hope not. I don’t want his faithfulness. I want to do my duty and give him a son, and then I hope he never touches me again.”
Michael released a long breath, filled with sadness and resignation as it surrounded us in the darkness. Pressing his thumb to my lower lip, he stroked it in a long, soft caress as he gazed at me.
“Are you a virgin, Bianca?”
“None of your—”
Pressing his thumb over my lips, he silenced me. “Are you?”
My nostrils flared as anger and indecision warred within. Part of me wanted to kick him in the balls for asking such a personal question, while the other part wanted to tell him the truth and beg him to kiss me.
“Yes,” I finally whispered.
“He doesn’t deserve to take that from you,” he said, his expression fierce as he contemplated under the moonlight. “I have a solution if you’ll hear me out.”
My eyes darted between his, and even though I knew it was impossible, I nodded.
“It will take me a few years—perhaps even a decade—to rebuild my father’s business. During that time, I can send you to a remote village my grandmother showed me when I visited her in Italy. It’s extremely secluded and I will ensure your protection—”
“Victor will find me,” I interjected. “We both know that.”
“Marry me and let me send you to Italy. We’ll consummate the marriage here, but I’ll keep it secret while you’re in Italy.
As soon as I’m powerful enough, I’ll send for you and bring you home.
Victor will be furious, but by then, I plan to be head of the most powerful family on the East Coast. It will be impossible for him to defy me. ”
An incredulous laugh escaped my throat. “You’re insane.”
“Yes,” he said, shrugging. “I’ve apparently gone completely mad.” Leaning forward, he brushed the tip of my nose with his. “But the thing is, I just can’t seem to fucking help myself. I need to save you.”
My body arched toward his, the movement unconscious as I lost complete control of my muscles. There, surrounded by his sandalwood scent and deep, rumbling voice, I wanted so badly to believe there was a way out of my predicament.
“Michael...” I whispered, straining toward him in a silent plea. “This is crazy...”
“Say my name again, stella,” he whispered, brushing his lips against mine. “Fuck, it’s so perfect coming from those gorgeous lips.”
My breath formed soft pants as my heart pounded. “Michael—”
His lips closed over mine, devouring me as if I were his next meal; as if tasting me were more important than breathing.