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.

my eyes shut, trying to keep

trying to help

Vince reading through the parts in the contract about Luis’ manners and

all a misunderstanding.

lot. He’s

right. I’m sorry.” My voice cracked, hoping he had nothing else to say. I’d talked enough crap about everyone for this conversation

rude, considering those friends have been there at my lowest

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

with good hearts. Friends that

“I-I didn’t-

name calling the other Alfonzos?” Vince’s tone grew colder. “Unless you want us to go to war with all the families

My cheeks burned.

him to stop and did not know how much more humiliation I could

somewhat immature, but unless you don’t want me to lose the

Young and immature.

tiniest bit of respect for me sounded like a

how much did he dislike me?

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

eyes, still trying to hold back my tears. “And I’m

I wanted was for him to love me the

make me feel threatened and to keep this marriage in check. That must’ve been the icing on the cake. “That’s so sick.

start.”

respected dad-I

dad wanted was to protect everything he built. Yes, he was wrong-but it ultimately was my fault. He didn’t know the Garcias for that long. People made them out to be monsters-so having the Marinos behind me, knowing his only daughter would be safe, would be a

me who could not get persuaded by my husband to overthrow me kept dad’s heart at peace, and at the end of the day,

didn’t want me to marry Vince in the first place-but he went along with it because I

make me happy, so how could

few days, and I want us to be on good terms.” He explained. “I do not

was getting myself into. Vince could let me

had a good

appreciate your honesty.” I attempted to speak a complete sentence, but I did not get far as tears started streaming down my

cry!” He pulled

my throat felt

tears. “Forget the contract, I’ll tell dad to cancel

head, chuckling. “We’ve announced our engagement to the entire city.”

I’ll take the blame.” I breathed,

Garcias don’t have a good reputation, it wouldn’t matter that much-but I don’t want your family to become the laughing stock.” Vince spoke.

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

me to walk down the aisle with a smile after all you’ve just

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

in the world would go on a rant the way he did without hating the person. I knew he disliked me, but I hadn’t realized just how much until now. I thought I could make him love

Sure anymore.

the marriage until you

to deny my accusations, but Vince shrugged his

was my plan,