The Proposal

"I’m trying.”

The words wrapped around me like a threat.

Or maybe a promise.

I couldn’t tell which was worse.

Before I could respond, my mother suddenly appeared beside us with a sharp smile.

“There you both are.” Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at me. “Lucia, stop hiding in corners and mingle.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Alessio stepped away smoothly like we hadn’t just been having a dangerously intimate conversation in the middle of the ballroom.

Infuriating man.

My mother linked her arm through mine and dragged me toward a group of wealthy women dripping in diamonds.

I barely heard a word they said.

Because my mind stayed fixed on Alessio.

On the way he looked at me.

The way his voice dropped when he called me bella.

And worst of all—

the way my body reacted every single time he got close.

“This alliance is wonderful for both families,” one woman gushed dramatically.

“Yes,” my mother replied proudly. “Bianca will make a beautiful Romano wife.”

The knot in my stomach tightened instantly.

Bianca.

Right.

My sister.

The actual bride.

Guilt crashed into me all over again.

I needed to stop thinking about Alessio immediately.

Unfortunately, the universe clearly hated me.

Because the second I escaped the conversation, I nearly walked straight into him again.

“Careful,” Alessio murmured, catching my wrist before I stumbled.

Heat rushed through me instantly.

“I’m starting to think you enjoy appearing out of nowhere.”

His mouth twitched slightly.

“And I’m starting to think you enjoy running into me.”

I quickly pulled my hand away.

Dangerous.

Everything about him was dangerous.

“You should really stay near Bianca,” I muttered.

Something dark flickered in his eyes again.

“There you go mentioning your sister.”

“She’s your fiancée.”

“And yet you’re the one blushing.”

My cheeks burned immediately.

God.

I hated how easily he affected me.

Before I could think of a response, Bianca suddenly appeared beside us looking pale.

Very pale.

“Lucia,” she said quickly, grabbing my arm. “Can I talk to you?”

Something in her voice instantly alarmed me.

“Of course.”

Bianca barely acknowledged Alessio before dragging me toward the hallway.

The second we were alone, she rushed into the nearest bathroom.

Then immediately started throwing up.

Panic exploded through me.

“Oh my God— Bianca!”

I hurried beside her and pulled her hair back while she trembled violently.

“I’m okay,” she gasped weakly.

“No, you’re obviously not.”

She leaned against the sink breathing hard.

And suddenly I noticed something.

Fear.

Not embarrassment.

Not nerves.

Pure fear.

“Talk to me,” I whispered.

Bianca closed her eyes briefly.

Then quietly said:

“I’m pregnant.”

The world stopped.

I stared at her in complete shock.

“What?”

Tears filled her eyes instantly.

“I found out weeks ago.”

My heart nearly stopped.

Pregnant?

Bianca was pregnant?

And engaged to Alessio Romano?

“Oh my God.”

“I know.”

“Does Papa know?”

Her horrified expression answered immediately.

“No! And he can never find out.”

Panic hit me hard.

Because this wasn’t just family drama.

This was mafia drama.

Which meant people could actually die.

“Who’s the father?” I whispered urgently.

“Daniel.”

I blinked in disbelief.

“The pianist from London?”

She nodded shakily.

I almost fainted.

Daniel wasn’t mafia.

Wasn’t protected.

Wasn’t powerful.

If my father discovered Bianca was carrying his child—

Daniel was dead.

Immediately.

“What are you going to do?” I whispered.

Bianca looked completely broken.

“I can’t marry Alessio.”

My stomach twisted painfully.

“You have to.”

“No.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “If the Romanos find out the baby isn’t his, they’ll destroy us.”

And the terrifying part?

She was right.

This alliance clearly mattered too much.

The Romanos weren’t the kind of family you embarrassed publicly.

Ever.

“Maybe we can tell Papa privately,” I suggested weakly.

“Are you insane?” Bianca whispered harshly. “Papa will kill Daniel himself.”

Silence fell heavily between us.

Because we both knew she was right.

Then suddenly Bianca grabbed my hands tightly.

“I need your help.”

Instant dread filled my stomach.

“What kind of help?”

Her eyes locked onto mine desperately.

“You marry Alessio instead.”

I stared at her like she’d lost her mind.

“…what?”

“You heard me.”

“That’s insane.”

“It could work.”

“How exactly?”

“You and Alessio already have chemistry.”

Heat flooded my face immediately.

“We kissed once!”

“One very memorable time apparently.”

“This isn’t funny!”

“I’m serious, Lucia.”

I pulled my hands away sharply.

“You cannot seriously expect me to marry your fiancé.”

“You’re a Moretti daughter too.”

“That doesn’t make us interchangeable!”

Bianca flinched.

Guilt hit me instantly.

But panic still overwhelmed everything else.

“Please,” she whispered shakily. “I’m scared.”

That broke me a little.

Because Bianca never admitted fear.

Ever.

“If Papa finds out…” Her voice cracked. “Daniel will die.”

I knew.

And she knew I knew.

That was the problem.

This wasn’t dramatic exaggeration.

It was reality.

My father protected the family above everything.

Above love.

Above happiness.

Above us.

“What exactly is your plan?” I asked weakly.

Relief flashed across her face immediately.

“You need to make Alessio want you instead.”

I laughed in disbelief.

“That’s your brilliant idea?”

“He already looks at you.”

My stomach flipped traitorously.

“No he doesn’t.”

“Lucia.” She gave me a look. “I’m not blind.”

Unfortunately, neither was I.

And that was the problem.

Every glance Alessio gave me felt intense enough to start fires.

“But even if he did,” I argued weakly, “why would he suddenly choose me?”

“Because I’ll make him hate me.”

Oh no.

Absolutely not.

“You’re planning something stupid.”

“I can act spoiled.”

“You already act spoiled.”

Bianca ignored me completely.

“I’ll annoy him. Embarrass him. Whatever it takes.”

“And if it doesn’t work?”

She looked away silently.

That answer terrified me more than words.

A knock suddenly sounded outside the bathroom.

“Bianca?” our mother called sharply. “Everyone’s asking for you.”

Bianca panicked instantly.

“I’m coming!”

She grabbed my wrist before opening the door.

“Please think about it.”

Then she disappeared.

Leaving me alone with my spiraling thoughts.

Marry Alessio Romano?

Impossible.

Ridiculous.

Completely insane.

And yet…

My mind betrayed me immediately with memories of his mouth on mine.

The way he touched me like he already knew exactly how to ruin me.

God help me.

A dangerous part of me wanted him too.

“Interesting conversation.”

I spun around so fast my heart nearly exploded.

Alessio leaned casually against the bathroom doorway watching me.

And judging by the dark look in his gray eyes—

he had heard everything.