Elowen Voss
The year I turned 19, I met my father's adopted brother, Luca Ferraro, for the first time.
He was the most ruthless Don in all of Sicily, and on paper, he was my uncle.
That day, he looked into my eyes and couldn't seem to tear his gaze away.
From then on, I was his personal assistant by day, never more than a step from his side.
By night, he tore my stockings and took me on his desk.
For five years, I was his secret lover. He had me wear red dresses and get a rose tattooed on my thigh. He turned me into exactly what he liked best.
Then Sofia Russo, the woman he'd never gotten over, came home. He walked out of a meeting with his men to pick her up at the airport.
I followed him there and saw the same rose tattoo on that woman's thigh.
Only then did I understand who he'd really seen every night as he gripped my waist, breathing hard.
An hour earlier, he'd had me on the couch in his office.
Now he was gently draping his coat over her shoulders.
When Luca saw me, his face darkened, and he pulled me into the alley out back.
I demanded an answer. He bit down on his cigar and gave a cold laugh.
"Aria, you're the one who said you liked me, that you wanted to be with me. I never said I'd marry you.
"You're nothing more than a mistress. Don't think too highly of yourself."
I pulled my coat tight to hide the marks he'd left on me, looked down, and texted my father.
"Tell the Romano family I agree to the marriage."
When I looked up again, I smiled at Luca.
"Fine, Don Ferraro. Goodbye, then."