Page 4 of Forsaken Promises
She clings to me, nodding against my shoulder. “You’re right. He has to be there. He just has to.”
Bianca and Chiara join in our embrace, the four of us holding each other close. Our father’s illness is a shadow looming over all our futures, but in this moment, our bond as sisters is a bright light holding the darkness at bay.
No matter what happens, no matter who we marry or what Papa's fate may be, we'll always have each other. Our love is the constant we can depend on, the glue that holds our family together.
As we draw strength and comfort from our shared embrace, I vow silently to do whatever it takes to make Papa’s wish a reality. If it means that much to him, I’ll marry a man of his choosing, a man who will be an asset to the Marino Family.
Not for love, but for duty and honor.
I just pray that Papa will be there to see it. To know that his daughters are provided for, that his legacy is secure. It’s the least I can do for the man who has sacrificed everything for us. The man I love more than life itself.
2
DOMINICO
Igroan as consciousness slowly seeps in, my eyelids fluttering open to bright sunlight streaming through the windows. My head is pounding, a vicious drumbeat against my skull. What the hell happened last night?
I start to roll over and freeze as my arm brushes against smooth, warm skin. Squinting through bleary eyes, I take in the sight of a woman’s bare back, her blonde hair splayed across the pillow beside me.
Fuck. Who is she?
I rack my brain, trying to piece together the fragmented memories of the previous evening. Flashes come back to me in disjointed snippets. Partying at the club with the guys, throwing back shot after shot. Pulsing music, flashing lights. Grinding on the dance floor with a revolving door of hot women in tight dresses.
Making out with a blonde in a darkened hallway, my hands roaming her curves as she moaned into my mouth. Tumbling into my car together, unable to keep our hands off each other as my driver drove us back to my house. Bursting through the door of my suite in a tangle of groping limbs and shedding clothes…
I lift the sheet and glance down, confirming that I’m completely naked underneath. Right. The rest isn’t hard to fill in. Apparently, I scored last night, even if I can’t quite remember all the details.
The girl shifts slightly and lets out a soft sigh, still dead to the world. I should probably wake her up and kick her out so I can nurse this wicked hangover in peace.
I sit up gingerly, my head swimming as a wave of nausea washes over me. Fuck, I hate being hung over. I glance at the sleeping girl beside me and feel a flicker of irritation. Why the hell did I let her stay the night? Usually, I kick them out as soon as we’re done fucking, but I must have been too wasted to bother this time.
Grumbling under my breath, I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand up, swaying slightly as the room tilts around me. I grab my clothes from the floor and yank them on, not caring whether I look disheveled.
The blonde is still dead to the world, her face relaxed in sleep. I feel a momentary pang of guilt for what I’m about to do, but I push it aside.
She knew what this was. Just a drunken hookup, a one-time thing. No reason to pretend it was anything more.
I reach out and shake her shoulder roughly. “Hey. Wake up. It's time for you to go.”
She stirs, blinking up at me in confusion. “What? What time is it?”
“Doesn't matter. Party’s over. Time to leave.” My voice is cold, brooking no argument.
She frowns, pulling the sheet tighter around herself. “Can’t I just sleep a little longer? My head is killing me.”
Irritation flares hot in my chest. I don't have time for this shit. Leaning down, I get right in her face, my eyes hard and menacing.
“Listen, sweetheart,” I hiss through clenched teeth. “I'm not asking. I’m telling. You need to get the fuck out of my house. Now.”
She recoils slightly, looking shocked at my sudden viciousness. “Jesus, fine. No need to be such a dick about it.”
“You have no idea how much of a dick I can be,” I growl, my patience snapping. “I’m Dominico fucking Sicura, son of Vincenzo Sicura. You know, the head of the Sicura Family? I can make your lifeverydifficult if you don’t do as I say.”
Her eyes widen with fear and realization. The Sicura name carries weight in this city, and everyone knows it's not to be fucked with. I see the moment she understands just how badly she's erred.
“Okay, okay, I’m going!” She scrambles out of bed, frantically gathering her clothes. I watch impassively as she dresses, my arms crossed over my chest.
When she’s done, she shoots me a resentful glare but wisely keeps her mouth shut. She knows she’s no match for me or my family. Smart girl.
