Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

I gave her an exasperated expression, but she was already on her way out.
“And wear heels!”
Taking a deep breath, I blinked to stop the tears from falling. I’d been lucky
so far. I preferred to turn a blind eye to the realities of mob life, but I knew what
went on behind closed doors. Our world was a cruel one. Dad had been good to
me, but I’d seen how many of my cousins had been abused by their fathers, how
my uncles treated their wives.
My last fiancé had been close to my age, a quiet almost shy boy that Dad had
chosen to protect me. I could have held my ground against him in a marriage.
That would be a difficult task with Cassio. I didn’t like to give in to negative
emotions, but my fear was an acute pain in my chest.
Grabbing blue heels, I headed for my vanity. My eyes were glassy when I
checked my reflection. I put on more makeup than usual, but still much less than
Mom and Cassio probably expected.
When I made my way downstairs for the official introductions, I’d managed
to calm myself. My eyes still felt too warm from almost crying, but my smile
didn’t waver when I descended the stairs toward Dad, Cassio, and his companion
Faro.
Dad took my hand, squeezing it as he led me toward my future husband.
Cassio’s expression was a masterpiece of controlled politeness as he regarded
me. His eyes were dark blue, like the depth of the ocean, and gave the
impression that they could swallow you just as easily as the bottomless sea.
Disapproval flashed across his face when he took in my dress.
“Cassio, meet my daughter, Giulia.” A hint of warning rang in Dad’s voice,
which bounced right off Cassio’s stoic demeanor.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Giulia.” His mouth pulled into an almost nonexistent
smile as he took my hand and kissed it. I trembled.
Dark blue eyes flashed up to mine, and I straightened my spine. “The
pleasure is all mine, s—Cassio.”
Dad glanced between Cassio and me, worried. Maybe he finally realized that
he’d thrown me to a wolf. Dad tried to intimidate my future husband with a dark
look, but a sheep didn’t become a predator by wearing a wolf fur, and Dad had
never been more than prey among the blood-thirsty monsters in our circles.
Cassio straightened, ignoring Dad, and motioned toward his companion.
“That’s my right hand and Consigliere, Faro.”
I held out my hand, but Faro didn’t take it and only politely inclined his
head. Dropping my arm, I shifted closer to Dad, who scanned my face. He
looked torn, and I felt sick satisfaction over his obvious conflict.
“I’ll send a new wardrobe over for Giulia. Please tell your wife to take your
daughter’s measurements,” Cassio said. “I need a woman at my side, not a girl.”
That was too much for Dad. “Maybe this was a mistake, and I should cancel
our agreement.”
Cassio moved in front of Dad, staring down at him with a look that turned
my stomach. “We shook hands on the engagement, Felix. We settled matters