Chapter Seven

Anna’s POV

Anna smoothed her dress down her thighs nervously. The three men on the table Leila had pointed her attention to didn’t look like men she’d voluntarily want to shackle herself with. The one at the centre looked more in her age group, but there was a madness in his eyes that made her flinch every time she met his dull blue eyes. She really hoped he wasn’t the choice. 

To his right was a man that reeked of authority, even sitting down. His green eyes surveyed the room as intensely as if he could see past the walls and blocks. He had to be the Capo, which meant the last man with them looked like her best approach. But, this was the man who had implied that she’d gotten the wrong end of the stick while trying to have sex with a partner. 

She already knew he was going to be their choice, one because her luck was the wirst on the planet, and because since she’d been introduced, the man’s eyes had not left hers for a second and he had a smirk on his face.

She hid her face again and they waited for the Capo who was taking his sweet time getting up. When he did, he also raised a glass of wine and with the most mocking tone she’d ever heard from someone, he announced in a loud voice, “From the Outfit, and for the pursuit of peace between the Outfit and Moreni house, we present Kane Russell.” Sure enough, it was the stranger who had gotten her brother off her thaty stood up, and gave a polite bow.

He raised up his glass, “To the Outfit and Moreni family.”

At her side, her people echoed the chant with, “To the Moreni family and the Outfit.”

And then the introductions were over, and the celerations began in ernest.

“Where were you?” her Mom whispered in a harsh voice as she lovingly brushed her hair off her nape.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered back. “Something came up before I could leave.”

Her hands tightened around her neck, her full hair covering the motion from view, “If you embarrass this family…”

“Stop it, mother.” Leila whispered at her other side. “It was beyond our control.”

She looked relieved at that, but squeezed her neck once more in clear warning before letting go.

She looked up instinctively, and her gaze collided with a pair of sharp, grey ones. Kane, that was what they called him. 

His lips twitched for a second, and she quickly hid her face again before she could find out if the motion had been a smile or a frown.

Leila turned to her, “Cheer up. He doesn’t look half bad.”

She gave a small huff of laughter at that. In the minutes they’d scrambled together after she’d taken her bath again, Leila had made her laugh by mentioning the various defects in men she could have to marry, reminding her that she would be fortunate to get someone who didn’t look like a monkey.

From under her lashes, she looked at Kane again. His gaze was no longer on her and she could observe him. He was in a fitted suit that looked expensive, but he’d removed the tie and buttoned down the first two buttons, showing a peek of what looked like ink on his chest. 

She deduced that he was roughly 6’1’’ to her 5’7’’ height and he looked like he weighed a ton. His face was the attracting feature to her. His eyes when not on her were a piercing grey that took the sheen of a mirror and he was clean shaven. His hair was cut short enough that it wouldn’t be much of a problem in a close combat, but he could still sweep it around his head. His eyes caught hers and she flinched, and dropped her gaze.

Matteo motioned her forward, and she leaned closer so she was facing him. He nodded at their table, “Do you know him? Have you met before?”

“No.” she lied.

He frowned at her, “Then get your shit together and stop flinching. The Moreni family isn’t one of cowards.”

She nodded in shame, and his gaze lightened for a moment.

“They’ll soon call for a dance, and you’d be expected to dance with your bethrothed. After the dance, there’ll be a presentation of the rings and then both of you will be together at your own personal table. I trust you can do that.”

She noded again. What could she say, no? Near her brother, Vera just watched blankly, not even trying to hide her boredom as she sampled all the drinks on the table.”

“Where’s Luca?” his brother asked all of a sudden, and Leila met her eyes with a quick shake of her head.

“He’s probably hanging around with some of his friends.” Leila answered, glancing around the room. 

Almost immediately, the instrumentalists changed the rhythm of their music to slow songs, and her father stood up again, holding out his hand to her. Her heart beating in her chest, she took it and let him lead her to the men.

Kane also stood up, and her father placed her hand into his. He immediately gripped it firmly and she tried not to shudder.

“Let’s dance,” her fiancee whispered in a low puff of breath and she followed him out to the front. The song was one she knew, but her knees still shook throughout as his hand on her waist moved her in tune with the music.

“Anna Moreni,” he breathed in her ear, and this time she did shudder. He gave a low laugh. “Are you scared of me?”

She shook her head and he laughed again. 

The number changed to another one and more people came to dance. This one was somewhat faster, and it took all of her concentration to make sure she didn’t make a mistake. She might have stepped on his shoes once or twice though.

The song changed again, and once again she was in his arms with no distance between them.

“Is the Moreni family messing with us?” the man asked against her ear again, but this time the edge in his voice was clear.

She swallowed, “What… what do you mean?”

“Giving us a used good as new. Are you trying to fuck with us?”

She licked her lips and his eyes followed the motion. “It’s a misunderstanding.”

“It is, isn’t it?” he asked, as he twirled her into the arms of the Capo. 

Fuck, she hadn’t even noticed anyone had gotten that close.