ANNA'

't br

d, the man I threw money at this morning, is seated across from me

f wine, trying to hi

randfather says. "We can arrange meetings with the other eight families on whether we

gan "The eight families have maintained balance for decades, Edward

ng me too, his expression unreadable excep

ir styled immaculately, every inch the corporate heir.

ass, Miss K

s a waiter appea

ease," I

suddenly, addressing me directly for the first time.

htened my spine, grateful for t

reply. "Autonomy within partnership. They didn't

s slightly. "Unconv

ctive," I

ers represent the future of our family enterprise. Both Ma

Lombardo uttered, "we should disc

s for solidifying this partnership. Business interest

as I realized whe

amily in this alliance," Sophia chippe

ations have given me extensive experience in cross-fa

"Sophia," he said quietly, l

lden child, spoiled from birth while I worked twice as hard

ks to my alliance with the eight families, but t

stablished herself well enough to be independent, yet here

ing through the tension, "I'd be interested

ed on

randfather lo

kind of innovative thinking this alliance requires," Vi

red and he just smiled,

son appreciates talent, Edward. But let's be direct,

marriage would cement our fam

urted out. "You

ather dismissed me. "A marriage of con

now," I protested. "The Asian and European expansions, the tech

ork, Marianna," Vin stated, as

hia jumped in. "Tyler Lakewood. T

ng each other for years? Does she really want to marry a mafia heir tha

and in my past life, I overlooked everyth

im will make her seem lik

ved dismissively. "Nothing compared to

isgust or anger. Instead, he'

assistant, who approached

sing one to me and one to Vin. "A preliminary part

only a marriage contract, but another agreement that seems l

urged me, his tone leaving no roo

e table. What choice do either of us have

ther, despite everything, I si

took the pen his fa

g as his pen hovered over the pape

happens nex

st happened a few hours ago. I paced my bedr

bled as I touched my neck "And I must have insulted h

ppened today. I was too ashamed to tell her wha

my previous life. It's not suppose

ched us for marriage, and

ving me with no advantage fro

es while I figure

swers to this predicament immediately after

I knocked on

nna. C

I wanted to discuss the arra

the agreement. The Lombardos will pro

we need to re

alliance

n would

ter-of-factly. "After that, if you wish

heir? You expect me to

ements work, Marianna. The Lombardo

me, nothing else" I folded my arms be

reement. The marriage contract

ady for my work. Just when I thought it couldn'

old me you're engaged

an empty co

usiness arrangement, which means wh

ous. We had someth

nd zero chemistry, but

ler, but my de

his. The Lombard

Tyler," I

ls after me. "And when they d

oor, feeling o

sit him. That afternoon, I visited Vincenzo's downtown office. H

jar. I'm about to knoc

p her in line. If she tries anything stupid, I'll h

silently while my heart pounded har

e lion's den, and the lion i

anicked as I headed to the ex