⚔️Carlos POV⚔️

Just three days after turning twenty-one,  I went from being my Padre's  Capo to being the Don of New York City.  And, just an hour after his burial, I sat in his office having a meeting with his enemy, signing a peace treaty with the Baltimore Commission to marry their Capo's daughter, Maria who was turning eighteen in August.  My father had made and signed the Document a year before, but with him being gone, I had to rewrite the proposal and agree to the marriage to prevent a future war.

I had seen Maria just last year at a summer barbecue her parents had thrown.  It was their annual Fourth of July party they hosted for all of the other Capo's and Dons who wanted to attend. They made their three daughters perform a dance.  The girls were known as the Ricci sisters, and were very popular on YouTube and Tik-Toc.

Maria was seventeen then. She was mainly quiet and kept to herself, but also very heavily guarded.  She was tall and slender, very beautiful.  She was supermodel material...what every guy dreamed of. I was becoming one very lucky man.  She was the only daughter to have red auburn hair, not brown like her mother or sister's. I tried getting to know her then, but the only words I got out were "Hello, nice weather we are having." before she got pulled away by one of her sisters.

"Maria is very special to me, Mr.Romaro...she needs someone who is going to be kind to her...someone who is not brutal, and someone who will tolerate her mood swings.". Fratelli tells me from across my desk.

" Mood swings?"  I ask.

Fratelli laughs.  "Yes...Maria may seem sweet at first, but she's also a little spitfire if you cross her.  She's known for having a temper on her...she's use to having things go her way...she doesn't take no for an answer."

"So your giving me a Brat?" I ask,concerned about what I was agreeing to and that Maria may be a problem.

Fratelli leans back in his chair and smiles.  "No, Mr. Romaro...I'm giving you a fucking Queen!"

❤️Chapter 1: Maria❤️

It was the morning of my 18th birthday, and everyone in the house was preparing for my big party. My mom was brushing my hair, and had a look of worry on her face. Her long brown hair was pulled back and her face was pale.

"Are you okay?" I ask. "Did something happen?" Was Dad being mean again...was he out again with one of his whores?

She gave me her fake smile.

"No, I am fine, but your father wants a word with you. He will be coming in shortly...please don't piss him off!"

Just then, a loud knock sounded on my door, and father came in, wearing a navy blue suit with red tie, his dark grey hair slicked to the side. "Maria, I need to have a serious word with you, regarding your future."

I turn to face him, my stomach was in knots. "My Future?" I asked. Please tell me he's not switching me to a different school again. I had already switched twice since Middle school and was now enrolled in an all girls Catholic school. He was getting stricter through the years.

"As you know we have been at war with the Triads for sometime over a drug deal gone wrong. We are a lot luckier than the Bratva who have already been to war with the triads."

I felt confused. Father never discussed his work with us. He always kept my sisters and I out of it, and rarely discussed it with mother.He said women weren't part of the mafia. We were groomed to be trophy wives. My sisters and I were groomed since we were four years old, tea parties and dancing. And now, we were learning about sex and how to please a man.

He could see the confusion on my face. "Maria, tonight a special guest will be attending your party. His name is Carlos Romaro, son of Luigi Romaro, of the New York Archangels." I nod my head. "Luigi and I made a deal before he passed three months ago. For their protection against the Triads, you will marry his son, Carlos. Carlos is twenty and is unwed. In exchange for their protection, I agreed your hand in marriage, being my oldest daughter."

I felt like fainting. "Why me? I'm only eighteen...and I still have senior year!"

"Carlos wanted a beautiful and outstanding wife, and he picked you among several choices. He likes that you play several instruments and enjoys that you dance. He attended one of your performances last Year after the decision was made."

"You've known a whole year, and you're just now telling me this?". I shouted.

"Tone, young lady!" He warned. I knew that if I didn't keep my cool, he would strike me, birthday or not.

"But father, I'm only a senior in high school! I can't marry now...I still have school...dance..."

"And now its time for you to grow the Fuck up, Maria. You will marry Mr.Romaro, come Christmas time."

I turn to mother and her arms are crossed. She is still as pale as a ghost. "Mother, did you know about this?" She nods, but knows not to speak her opinion. My father has a horrible temper, and we've suffered many times because of it.

Father starts to leave, and then turns. "One more thing, you and your dance group will perform for him...you may choose your song...wear something, sexy...Don't let me down!"

I began to cry, and mother tugged me by the hair. "What do we say about crying?" She scolded.

"That its a weakness and strong women don't cry." I answered.

Mother handed me a picture. "He's very handsome."

I knew only three things of Carlos Romaro. One, he was super sexy, and one very sought out bachelor and millionaire of New York City. Two, he was now Capo of the New York Arch angels famiglia. And three, he is known as the Reaper of New York city, because he shows no mercy when it comes to killing. He likes to make his victims suffer painfully and slowly.

"What song will you perform for him? I must let the others know." Mother asked.

I stared at the many pictures that hung around my vanity mirror, and stared specifically at the one of me and Matteo. He is my dance partner, and is only allowed to dance with me because he is son to one of the guards and has become open with his sexuality. He is dating an outsider that he met at school. He was lucky my father spared him, because Matteo is his Godson.

"We will perform "The Arena". Lindsey can play the violin, and Matteo and I will dance...we will also need the backup track."

"Are you sure you want to perform that one for your future husband? Its so provocative... and dirty." Mother hated that dance.

I smiled. "Of course, its a perfect song for a mafia war." I knew father wouldn't agree to my choice either, but he was in a meeting all day, and wouldn't know my choice until it was too late.

I couldn't stop crying. Alissia helped me dress for our performance. She was thirteen, twenty months younger than me and had the same beautiful brown hair as mother did. I was blessed with red hair. Sometimes, father swore I wasn't his child. He always teased me saying that I belonged to the milkman.

"Maybe you can talk to Mr.Romaro...Convince him to wait till your ready." she said.

"There's no use. Father will just get angry for going behind his back. Mother said the contract was signed in blood. I'm to be his by Christmas... Just wrap me up and stick me under the tree!". I cried.