We head through the back hall, past the bathrooms, and out to the outdoor seating area. It’s less crowded and we find a bench toward the back wall. I sit first and he joins me, casually lighting a cigarette. He offers me one, but I shake my head.
“Never got into it.”
“Probably for the best.” He blows the smoke out. “Never liked a woman that smokes before. And I can’t imagine the Don would like it if his daughter took it up.”
I clear my throat and shift in my seat. I decide to dive right into this and skip the pleasantries. I don’t have time for small talk.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
“That’s an interesting question to ask considering we’re never spoken before.”
“And that’s an interesting way to dodge.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “No, I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Okay, good. I’m not either.”
“Are you asking me on a date? Because I’d gladly show you a lovely and respectful time, Karah.”
“No, that’s not—” I stop myself and pull at my hair. What the hell am I doing? How am I going to broach this subject? I don’t even know this guy and I want to see if he’s willing to spend the rest of his life with me.
Shouldn’t I try to get to know him first?
But Papa only gave me a week. One week to find a husband or I’m stuck with some Russian I don’t know anything about.
Rinaldo might be a stranger, but at least he’s local.
I can do this. I already wasted four days. There are three left, and if I don’t hurry, I’m totally screwed.
“You’re going to think I’m insane,” I say, and it’s like the whole world comes to a halt. I don’t hear anyone else talking and my existence becomes only Rinaldo and his surprisingly compassionate gaze staring down at me. He’s got a nice mouth and a good jaw, and he’s tall, which I like. He’s not quite as handsome as Nico, but he’s still good looking—
Why am I even thinking about Nico at a time like this?
“Maybe, but I’m extremely curious what this is about. It’s not every day the Don’s daughter talks to me.”
“Most of the guys act like I’m invisible.”
“You’re far from invisible, trust me. They all notice you.”
I feel heat rise in my neck. “Do you? Notice me, I mean.”
“I’ve been noticing you for a while. Ever since I joined the Famiglia. I don’t mean to sound so forward, but you’re a beautiful woman and it would be hard not to see it.”
The heat rises to my cheeks. He’s got a lovely speaking voice and his eyes seem to sparkle. “If that’s true, why haven’t you ever said hello before?”
“I’m not a stupid man. Your brothers are rather protective.”
I laugh nervously. “You don’t have to worry about them.”
“I’m sure that I do.”
“Right now, just for a second, let’s forget about my father and my brothers, okay? Can you do that?”
“I’ll certainly try.” He tilts his head, still smiling. “I’m even more curious now though.”
I can’t look at him as I tug at my hair faster and faster until I stop. I take a deep breath to steady myself and stare at my feet.
“My father wants me to marry someone,” I say quickly as if speaking fast will make it easier. It’s all about momentum right now. I have to get started and keep rolling and don’t look up until it’s over. “Unless I can find someone else to be my husband, someone in the Famiglia that Papa approves of, he’s going to ship me off to Dallas to marry some Russian I don’t know at all. I have three days to figure this out, and I’m getting pretty desperate.”
My face is burning. My hands are clenched. Why did I think this was a good idea? What the hell was I thinking?
“And you came to me for help?” Rinaldo asks, his tone a mix of curiosity and something else.
Something sinful.
I finally meet his gaze. He’s so handsome, so charming, and god, I could do much worse.
So I just blurt it out like an idiot.
“I came to ask if you want to be my husband.”
I steady myself for a blow to my ego. I prepare for him to laugh in my face, to recoil and pull away, to do anything at all—except for what he does.
He widens his eyes and grins.
“I would be honored.”
My mouth drops. What did he just say? Did he just say—
“You’re… honored? Seriously? That’s your response?”
“I understand how these things work in a Famiglia like this. You need a good husband and I need a good wife. Such things don’t have to be based on love, though one day that might grow between us. It’s an obvious win on both our ends.”
“That’s insanely practical.”
“I’m a pragmatic man.” He laughs and puts a hand on my thigh. Some little voice in the back of my skull screams get away get away and I flinch slightly. He frowns, but only for the briefest of moments, and I’m not even sure I ever really saw it. His charming smile is like the sun, blotting out anything negative.