Chapter 3

I ended up in Vittore's study on the third floor. He didn't say anything right away but went over to the bar cabinet, poured two drinks, and passed one of them to me, saying, "You should have some brandy. You look like you need it."

I accepted the glass of brandy, my hands shaking slightly.

"Have a seat," Vittore said, taking a seat on the leather couch in front of the fireplace. "You seem to know what kind of person Luca truly is, Ms. Rossi."

I took a sip of the brandy and replied, "Yes, I do. I know Luca enjoys leaving marks on women and that he has converted the room beside his bedroom into his personal torture chamber.

"I also know that he allows his subordinates to take turns 'sampling' his women, all while he films their interactions and keeps the tapes as a collection."

Vitorre lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of the couch, stating calmly, "You know more than I imagined, Ms. Rossi. Why did you agree to marry Luca in the first place, then?"

"It's because my father ordered me to," I replied with a wry smile.

"What a foolish reason," Vittore said. He watched me for a long time afterward—long enough that I began to fear that he'd have his men toss me out—before he suddenly asked, "Do you really think you can provide me with a successor?"

"I can," I replied as I placed the glass down, trying to appear as composed as I could.

I then lifted my gaze and continued, "I'm young and healthy, with the Rossi bloodline running through me. I think the most important thing is the fact that your son's tactics won't break me like they do the others. I've already been betrayed by my sister, so there's nothing left for me to fear, Don Corleone."

Vitorre actually smiled in response; it wasn't the cold smirk he'd shown earlier, but a genuine, amused smile. "You're quite courageous—either that, or you're acting out of desperation."

"I guess both are true," I stated flatly.

Vittore rose to his feet and walked toward me, his towering height casting me entirely in shadow.

I caught the scent of cedar and whiskey on him, feeling the heavy weight of his presence. I knew that it was the kind of pressure that only a man in his position could exert.

Vittore didn't lay a finger on me; instead, he simply leaned forward, bracing his arms on the couch to either side of me and confining me in his presence.

Vittore murmured, his warm breath grazing my ear, "If I marry you, you'll become the Madre of the Corleone Famiglia, with boundless wealth, authority, and respect at your command. But in exchange…"

His lips were inches from my ear as he continued, "...you must never betray me, show any weaknesses, or disappoint me, Ms. Rossi."

I could feel my heart racing in my chest as I asked, "What happens if I let you down, Don Corleone?"

Vittore straightened his posture, a flash of cruelty appearing in his ice-blue eyes. "Luca is merely a child with his playthings, so I'll make sure you understand the methods of the Don, Ms. Rossi."

It was then that a burst of noise rose from below—music, laughter, and the sound of glasses clinking. It seemed like the engagement banquet had begun.

Vittore stepped back and straightened his cuffs. "You have three days to think it over. If you're still here after that, I'll have my lawyers draw up the prenup."

I immediately responded to him. "I don't need three days. I can give you my answer right now."

I rose to my feet and continued, "I'll agree to it, but I have two conditions."

"Go ahead and state them."

I stated flatly, "I want our wedding to take place before Lia and Luca's. I want everyone to see who is truly marrying into the inner circle of the Corleone Famiglia."

Vittore nodded. "I can do that. What about your second condition?"

I took a deep breath before replying, "I want your guarantee that whatever happens, any child of mine—your future successor—will never be left to Luca."

I was trembling, but I still pushed through it. "I don't want him making bets on who the father is just for a laugh or letting his men lay a finger on me."

In this life, I was determined to protect myself and my child.

"That's enough. I won't allow anything like that to happen, since the future successor will be mine alone," Vittore snapped, his face a mask of fury. He left it just like that, but the fire in the fireplace suddenly surged and wavered.