Page 7 of Mafia Daddy's Christmas Bride

Fucking hell… I’m getting married.

2

ISABELLA

I sit stiffly in the antique leather chair across from my father who hasn’t looked at me directly since I entered his study five minutes ago.

"Isabella." He finally speaks my name, setting down his tumbler of scotch. "The La Corona meeting today concerned you."

My heart stutters.

La Corona?

I force my face to remain neutral, though my palms dampen.

"There's been a decision made." Father's voice drops lower. "You're to be married. Immediately."

The room seems to tilt sideways. "Married? To whom?"

"Roman Ginetti."

Roman Ginetti, Marco Calabresi's enforcer.

The man whose hands are permanently stained with blood.

The man who works for the family I believe murdered my mother.

"No." The word escapes my lips before I can stop it, defiance rising within me. "Absolutely not."

Father's eyes finally meet mine, sharp as broken glass. "This isn't a negotiation."

"I'm twenty-five years old. I have my own life. You can't simply?—"

"They wanted you dead, Isabella." His words slice through the air.

The world stops. "What?"

Father's expression hardens as he rises from his chair. "They know about your meetings with the FBI. About the accusations you've been making against the Calabresi family."

My blood turns to ice.How could they possibly…?

"Marriage or death by La Corona's decree." His voice is flat, emotionless. "Those are the only options I managed to secure for you. Be grateful I convinced them that the Ferraza bloodline is worth preserving."

I stare at my father, trying to process his words.

Marriage to Roman Ginetti or death.

The choice isn't really a choice at all.

"You've always known our world has rules, Isabella." Father's voice softens slightly. "Roman is a good man. Loyal. Respected."

"He’s old and Calabresi's butcher.” This can’t be happening.

Father waves his hand dismissively. "He’s not that old. Forty-five or so. He's a widower with a young daughter. The girl needs a mother figure."

He presents these details as if they should somehow comfort me, as if being stepmother to the child of a killer makes this arrangement more palatable.

"He's been devoted to his daughter since his wife died. Shows character. You'll have a ready-made family."