Chapter 4

"Lilia's father is going to stay at our estate for a while."

When he saw me, Victor put down his glass.

He was quiet for a moment. Then he stood and went on as if it went without saying.

"Isn't your father about to head back to the island?

"So I had my people move their things out ahead of time."

I gave him a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

"Victor, I never knew you could get things done so efficiently."

I ignored the three guarded stares in the living room.

I walked straight past them and went up alone to the bedroom on the second floor.

Victor followed me in right away and shut the door behind him.

"Cecilia, stop making that face.

"I've already had Luca book your father a room at the most heavily guarded five-star hotel downtown. I'll send an armored vehicle to take their bags over later.

"Lilia's father is the father of the man who saved my life. We can't just ignore him."

I didn't answer. I kept packing my things into the suitcase.

Victor sidled up to me and tried to help me fold my bulletproof vest.

"Cecilia, I feel like you've been on guard around me lately.

"Lilia's got a cushy job at one of my clubs now. If it bothers you that much, I'll send her to one of the outer crews, okay?"

He took a black velvet box from his suit's inside pocket.

He opened it to reveal a diamond necklace.

"Look. I saved the top-quality diamonds the African arms dealers gave me as tribute and had this made for you. Consider it my apology.

"Over the past few days, I've also booked the venue for the pact ceremony and sent invitations to all the major gang bosses.

"Tomorrow, all you have to do is put on your wedding dress and show up looking gorgeous."

I stopped folding.

"You've already picked the venue?

"When did this happen? Why didn't anyone report it to me?"

He still sounded completely casual.

"Well, you were busy cleaning up that mess at customs.

"I figured women all like the same kind of thing, so I just let Lilia make all the calls."

I slowly turned around to look at him.

"You let Lilia make all the calls?

"So the two of you chose the venue, set up the defensive perimeter, picked the security detail, and finalized the guest list? You decided all of it?

"Victor, don't you think it's ridiculous to put the safety of two families in the hands of some silly little girl?"

He looked offended.

But with the alliance happening tomorrow, he swallowed his anger.

"Cecilia, I don't want to argue with you over these petty details.

"I swear, you're the only woman I'll marry. No one else will ever be the Donna of the West District. Isn't that enough?"

He took out the diamond necklace and reached to put it around my neck.

"Sweetheart, can we please stop this pointless fighting?

"I haven't slept well these last few nights without you. Even if you're punishing me, I've suffered enough by now, haven't I?"

I quickly took two steps back, out of his reach.

Victor's smile faded.

I watched him in silence for several seconds. "Send the detailed schedule for tomorrow's ceremony to my device."

As soon as I said it, Victor brightened.

His smug, self-assured smile was back.

"Cecilia, I knew it. You can't bring yourself to give up being the Donna of the West District after all."

Then he glanced at the suitcase by my feet.

"All right. Stop pretending you're packing up and leaving.

"You've thrown so many tantrums. When have you ever actually set foot outside West District territory?

"Besides, there's an ocean between here and Sicily. Without my sign-off, you're not flying anywhere."

I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, walked straight past Victor, and headed out the door.

He leaned against the doorframe, completely untroubled.

"Once you're done throwing your fit tonight, remember to show up to our pact ceremony on time tomorrow!"

I stopped and glanced back at him.

"Don't worry. For tomorrow's blood pact ceremony, I'll make sure to have a big gift ready for you."