Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

A flicker of guilt filled me. I was making assumptions. Cassio had lost his
wife and was left to tend to his children by himself. What if he was a man in
mourning? He didn’t look it, though.
Still, considering that men in our world learned to hide their true feelings
from a young age, his lack of emotion didn’t mean anything.
“Why don’t we go into my office for a glass of my best cognac and chat
about the marriage?” Dad motioned down the corridor.
Cassio inclined his head.
“I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly in the kitchen. Our chef’s
preparing a feast for tonight,” Mom said enthusiastically.
Both Cassio and his companion gave my mother a tight-lipped smile.
Did that man ever truly smile with his eyes and his heart?
I waited until they had all disappeared from view before I hurried downstairs
and slipped inside the library, which was right beside the office. I pressed my ear
against the connecting door to listen in on the conversation.
“This union will be good for you and me both,” Dad said.
“Have you told Giulia about the bond yet?”
Hearing my name in Cassio’s deep voice for the very first time made my
heart speed up. I’d hear him say it for the rest of my life.
Dad cleared his throat. Even without seeing him, I knew he was
uncomfortable. “Yes, last night.”
“How did she react?”
“Giulia is aware that it’s an honor to marry an Underboss.”
I rolled my eyes. I really wished I could see their faces.
“That doesn’t answer my question, Felix,” Cassio reminded my father with a
hint of annoyance in his voice. “She’ll not only become my wife. I need a
mother for my children. You realize that, yes?”
“Giulia is a very caring and responsible… woman.” The word didn’t fall
easily from Dad’s lips, and it took me a moment to realize he meant me. I didn’t
feel like a woman yet. “She’s kept watch over her brother’s child on occasion
and enjoyed it.”
I’d played with my brother’s toddler for a few minutes when they visited, but
I had never changed a diaper or fed a child.
“I can assure you Giulia will satisfy you.”
My cheeks heated. There was a moment of silence. Had Cassio and his
companion misunderstood Dad’s words like I had?
Dad cleared his throat again. “Have you told Luca yet?”
“Last night, after our call, yes.”
They began discussing an upcoming meeting with the Capo, which caused
me to zone out for a bit, getting lost in my thoughts.
“I need to call home. And Faro and I would like to relax for a bit before
dinner. We’ve had a long day,” Cassio said.
“Of course. Why don’t you go ahead through that door. The library is quiet.
We still have an hour until I introduce you to my daughter.”