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.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to keep my tears from falling.

brother. I was only trying to help so no one in the family would

of Vince reading through the parts in the contract about Luis’ manners and education which I was responsible for, made me

was all a

a lot. He’s vulnerable-so you can at least watch

nothing else to say. I’d talked enough crap

those friends have been there at my lowest and know me better than you ever could.” It almost looked

practiced what to say beforehand, meaning it must’ve been on his mind for a

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

“I-I didn’t-

“Unless you want us to go to war with all the families as soon as we get married, don’t ever

My cheeks

and did not know how much

Serena?” Vince sighed, breathing through his nose. “I’ll give you a pass because you’re still young and somewhat immature, but unless

Young and immature.

tiniest bit of respect for me sounded

much did he dislike me?

her past out of spite was low, even for me. I knew it was, and I couldn’t explain why I had done it. Talking bad about others

still trying to

for him to love me the way I loved him.

for 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 the cake. “That’s

start.”

with his words. If he only knew that although I respected dad-I did not stand behind his

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

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

want me to marry Vince in the first place-but he went along with it

make me happy, so

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

could let me walk down the aisle, make me believe he wanted to be with

good and

attempted to speak a complete sentence, but I did

pulled away my hands to see my face. “We’re

pain in my throat felt too heavy,

eye to wipe away my tears. “Forget the contract, I’ll tell dad to cancel the wedding, and

shook his head, chuckling. “We’ve announced

okay. I’ll take the blame.” I breathed, trying to stop my tears.

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

selfish this entire time while Vince still cared for my family’s well-being. He cared for the Morales and the

with a smile after all you’ve just said.” I asked. “I know you: hate me, and

Vince said, trying

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

Sure anymore.

you expect me to sit out the marriage until you can’t

for him to deny my accusations,

was my plan, yes.”