His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 364

Aria

Vince took me for a drive, and believe it or not-I was frightened. He hadn’t said a word, and his hand, which was tightly wrapped around the steering wheel, made me believe that he was not here for a wedding talk.

After a while of driving. Vince stopped the car at the side of the road and turned around to look at me.

He took a deep breath. “Since we’ve both signed the contract, I’ll just say what’s on my mine.” He sounded

serious.

“First of all, let me start by saying that you’re one of the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He said, staring at me. “I admire you for taking over your family, and I’ve heard good things about you.”

“Thank you.” I took in his compliment, smiling brightly. Being admired by the one I loved was all I ever wanted-even if he despised me.

“I feel flattered that someone as powerful as you would want to marry someone like me.” Vince paused for a second. “But the way you did it was wrong.”

A sudden feeling of cold found its way through my body as all I wanted was to wake up from this bad, dream. Unable to respond, I frowned slightly-waiting for an explanation.

“You’re still young, and you live in this perfect fantasy, so I’m sure you don’t mean any harm-but you shouldn’t have forced me to marry you.” Vince spoke in a soft tone.

It wasn’t new to me, but this time it was not coming from his friend’s mouth. It came from the source himself. Forced? He thought I had forced him to marry him?

“Uhm, wow,” I looked down, feeling embarrassed.

“I hope you can listen to me.” Vince didn’t back down. “I feel trapped and disrespected by you picking me up like a piece of garbage, deciding that you’ll marry me just like that.” He told me his frustrations. “Then you come with this ridiculous contract-thinking you have the right to decide over my life.”

I froze.

“Aria, do you understand where I’m coming from?”

“Yes.” I gulped.

He spoke almost like a dad scolding his daughter, showing he did not want to hurt my feelings.

His words were painful, but they were necessary as I slowly began to see the picture. I could feel the pain in his eyes and listened to every word.

I did force him to marry me. I could’ve fought for his heart as any normal woman would’ve done, but instead. I used dad’s connections to get a ring on my finger.

Without thinking it through, I ordered him to marry me, knowing he would not decline to save his family’s honor. How could I even have the nerve to wish for his heart!

“I invited you to my house. You cooked for us, which was very nice, by the way.” Vince smiled tenderly. “But then you told off my brother while that’s not your job, you brought back old memories by

mentioning our father, ranted about blowing people’s heads off-and god knows what.”

I’m a terrible person.

I’m a terrible person.

a second, I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to keep my

his brother. I was only trying

thought of Vince reading through the parts in the contract about Luis’

all a misunderstanding.

through a lot.

hoping he had nothing else to say. I’d talked enough crap about everyone for this conversation to go in

friends have been there at my lowest and know

beforehand, meaning it must’ve been on his mind for a long time. Maybe, I was

was all a misunderstanding. I just wanted him to be surrounded by good people with good hearts. Friends that would not push him

“I-I didn’t-

you want us to go to war with all the families as soon as we get married, don’t ever do that again.”

sorry.” My cheeks

stop and did not know how

Vince sighed, breathing through his nose. “I’ll give you a pass because you’re still young and somewhat immature, but unless you don’t want me

Young and immature.

the tiniest bit of respect for

how much did he dislike me?

Serena or not, bringing back her past out of spite was low, even for me. I knew it was, and I couldn’t explain

my eyes, still trying to hold back my

for him to love

Oscar hiring Angelo Marino as your advisor, a Marino to make me feel threatened and to keep this marriage in check. That must’ve been the icing on

start.”

respected dad-I did not stand behind his decision to let Angelo babysit

for that long. People made them out to be monsters-so having the Marinos behind me, knowing his only

husband to overthrow me kept dad’s heart at peace, and at the end of

to marry Vince in the first place-but he went along

make me happy, so how could

but you’ve left me no choice.” Vince chuckled awkwardly. “We are getting married in a few days, and I want us to be on good terms.” He explained. “I do not wish to make a fool

myself into. Vince could let me walk down

had a good

but I did not get far as tears started

in my hands. “Hey, don’t cry!” He pulled away my hands to see my face. “We’re just having

my mouth to speak, but the pain in my throat

hate me.” I sobbed, feeling Vince’s finger near my eye to wipe away my tears.

for that.” Vince shook his head, chuckling. “We’ve announced our engagement to

take the blame.” I breathed, trying

it wouldn’t matter that much-but I don’t want your family to become the laughing stock.” Vince spoke. “And I need you.

for my family’s well-being. He cared for the Morales and the Garcias, while I only cared about what I wanted.

you’ve just said.” I asked. “I know you: hate me, and I can live with that,

because it’s not true.” Vince said, trying to convince himself. “I do not

he disliked me, but I hadn’t realized just how much until now. I thought I could make

Sure anymore.

so you expect me to sit out the marriage until you can’t take it anymore, and you’ll

to deny my accusations, but Vince

my plan,