“I will, make him happy, that is?”
He nods. “You will. He would like to give you a wedding ceremony of your choice. If you would like a planner, then you shall have one.”
“What about my sister, can Rosana come, too?” I ask.
His lips twitch. “Your sister can be at your side of course. In fact, if you’d like her with you full time, it can be arranged as well. All that you’ve said, and not said, about Irene, maybe it’s best she’s removed from her home?”
My breath hitches. Would he really? Could he give me my sister? She’s fourteen, still a child, but only four years from being an adult. I have wondered if she’ll be in my same position when she reaches of age and Irene no longer receives her compensation checks at all.
“My new husband, would he agree?” I ask softly.
Arlo shrugs a shoulder, then he lets out a small sigh. “He’ll agree to whatever his boss requests of him.”
Shifting my gaze to my lap, I lift my eyes to meet his. “Aunt Irene loves Rosana. I think that she will be safe with her, but if that changes…”
Arlo smiles, dipping his chin in a nod. “If that changes then we can revisit.”
“Thank you, Arlo,” I whisper.
“So, you’re in agreement? You’ll marry the man?”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I wonder how incredibly crazy I am for agreeing to this. Then, I decide that it’s about the same amount of crazy as if I were going to auction my virginity off or become one of his expensive call girls.
“I agree,” I blurt out.
His lips twitch into a smile. “Good. This will be your home until the nuptials. I can send a planner over soon to get started. You won’t want to stay here long, so we’ll need to get moving,” he explains.
Nodding, I watch as he walks past me and toward the door. He stops with his hand on the knob, then looks back at me from over his shoulder. “This will work out, Pippa. I think that both of you will find your peace in this union.”
“Can you tell me his name?” I ask.
Arlo’s lips twitch and he shakes his head once. “I can’t, but you’ll find out soon enough.”
Without another word, I watch as he opens the door then slips out. He locks the door behind him, effectively locking me inside. I don’t mind. Instead of being upset about being locked in, I curl up into the chair and close my eyes. I’m sure there’s a bed somewhere in here, but right now, I just need to stay right here.
I can’t believe I’ve just accepted a proposal of marriage to a stranger. Not only is he a stranger, but he’s a Made Man. This is something I told myself I would never do, not ever. Yet, here I am. Call it desperation, but I need his money. I need the money that I despise so much, just so that I can live.
I’m going to sell my soul to the Devil and I feel absolutely hopeless that my future will be anything but a catastrophe for doing just that.
Chapter Three
PIPPA
The sound of the jiggling doorknob causes me to sit straight up in the chair. I let out a moan as my sore muscles protest. I shouldn’t have slept sitting halfway up and sideways. I’m going to be sore for days.
Lifting my eyes to the door, I watch as it slowly opens. I blink at the sight in front of me. It isn’t Arlo or Mia, instead it’s a beautiful blonde and a brunette who enter. They both lift their eyes and meet mine before they smile.
“You must be Pippa,” the blonde chirps as she closes the distance between us.
Nodding my head once, I don’t otherwise move a muscle. I have no clue who these women are or how they got in here. They each take another step forward, then the blonde reaches forward, extending her hand, I extend mine as well, shaking slowly.
“I’m Lenora,” she says with a smile. “This is my best friend Chloe. Carlo says you’re going to get married soon and he enlisted us to help you.”
“You’re wedding planners?” I ask as our hands drop.
They look at one another, then shift their gazes back to meet ours. “No,” they say in unison.
Lenora takes another step toward me, then makes her way to the sofa and I watch as she sinks down on to one of the cushions, Chloe doing the same next to her. Pressing my lips together, I watch them, waiting to see what they say next.
“Chloe is married to a Capo, and I’m married to Arlo. We know a little about your situation, though Arlo wasn’t very forthcoming. We just want to help,” she offers with a smile.
Flicking my gaze between them, I release my lips and give them a nod. “Arlo said to start planning, but I don’t know when it’s going to be or anything. I don’t even have any clothes to wear other than these,” I say, pointing to my jeans and t-shirt.
Chloe and Lenora exchange glances, then they both nod once. “Let’s go shopping then,” Chloe practically squeals.
“I don’t have any money,” I admit on a whisper.
Lenora snorts as she stands to her feet. “Don’t worry about that. Arlo said your new husband was footing the bill for everything and I know that he won’t have a problem buying you some new clothes.”
“Do you know who he is?” I practically shout.
Both Chloe and Lenora’s eyes widen, then their lips twitch into matching smiles. “We do,” Lenora admits. “But we’re under strict orders not to tell you. I have no clue why, but they don’t want you to know. They don’t want him to know who you are either.”
“If I had to guess?” Chloe murmurs.
“Quiet,” Lenora hisses.
Chloe shakes her head. “No way in hell. If I had to guess,” she repeats. “This is some kind of setup. I think Arlo and Gavino are matchmaking.” She laughs.
“How?”
Chloe shrugs a shoulder. “Who knows why men do what they do? I sure as hell don’t,” she snaps.
“Chloe,” Lenora sighs before she turns her attention back to me. “How old are you?” she asks softly.
“Twenty,” I admit.
Both of their eyes widen, but thankfully they don’t comment. I don’t know if they have been told about my situation, or not, but if they’re surprised by my age, I assume they haven’t. Lenora smiles before she urges me to go and get cleaned up before we head out.
“We’ll grab some breakfast first,” she calls out.
My stomach growls at her words and I decide that breakfast is exactly what I need. It doesn’t take me long to freshen up. I take a quick shower, slipping my dirty clothes back on, cringing when I have to put the same panties on again. I would go commando, but I have to try on clothes today and that’s just gross.
I’m thankful to find brand new toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, razors, even shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I don’t know why all of this stuff is in here, but I don’t question it either, I just use it.
Grabbing a brand new hairbrush, I moan as I comb the knots from my long hair. Setting it down on the counter next to the rest of my new products, I turn and head out toward Chloe and Lenora.
They’re both talking, their heads dipped as they whisper. As soon as they sense my presence, they stop talking and turn to look over at me. Lenora gives me a bright smile at the same time Chloe frowns.