_________________________

WAY DOWN WE GO

♧

KALEO _________________________

"WHAT DO YOU mean we're getting married?"

My father sighed, clearly exasperated. "Well, son, marriage is, by definition, legally or formally a union containing two people—"

"I am not marrying anyone," I snapped, cutting him off. "And I am certainly not marrying her." I nudged my nose toward Celine, who sat quietly.

"Watch it," Cassian warned, his protective nature for his baby sister showing. He was the eldest of the Luciano family, an exact replica of their father in every way—from the way they walked to the way they killed.

Admirable in a way.

I scoffed. "And you are what? Trying to tell me what to do?"

"Yes," Cassian said smoothly. "That was kinda the whole point of my statement, dumbass."

"Call me that one more time."

"Or what?" His grin was venomous. "You'll kill me?"

"Well, it sounds quite appealing right about now."

Luciano slammed his hand against the table. "Enough!" he yelled. Cassian, still fuming, seemed to back down under his father's glare. I clenched my jaw but shut my mouth.

Luciano took a deep breath, visibly soothing himself, then turned to his two daughters. "Charlotte, take Celine upstairs. Help her pack. She'll be there for a while."

The older one of the two— Charlotte, nodded and motioned for my bride to stand up. She had been awfully silent the whole time. I'd assumed she'd be as upset as I was about it.

Hoping to say the least.

I must've assumed wrong. The Celine I'd seen in the warehouse the other day must have been an act she puts on every once in a while. Whenever she remembers how powerful her family is. She was probably like every other little mafia airhead I'd ever met, whose only ambition in life was to be a baby-maker.

"What is going on?" I demanded once the two women had left the room.

My father and Luciano shared a look. Dickheads.

My father rubbed his jaw. "As you know, the Luciano family and the Genovese family have been allies for a long time—"

"We need you and Celine to solidify the alliance between our two families," Luciano cut to the chase.

"And this supposed marriage will solidify our alliance?" I used air quotes around solidify.

"In a way, yes. Your... offspring will be the real solidifier," Cassian added with a smug grin.

It clicked. I mentally cursed. "My blood and Luciano blood."

My father nodded. "After you and Celine consummate the marriage and have a child, you are free to live separately."

Consummate. Well, if we're going to resort to methods from the 15th century, why not use the words too?

My jaw clenched as I stared down at the polished wooden table. Arms traced with black ink rested against it—hands that had taken lives, my own and others'. Cassian's and his father's right hands bore the same mark: a five-pointed star between their thumbs and index fingers. La Stidda. A Sicilian criminal organization known for those stars. One of the most powerful mafias to ever control the gun trade.

Luciano's star had a speck in its center, marking him as the head.

This was important to my father. My mother would never leave me alone about giving her a grandchild. All I needed to do was fuck Celine, give them their "solidifier," and never have to see her again.

"I'll do it."

♧

"Wait, what do you mean you're getting married?"

"It means my father is a conniving prick."

"Antonio, I already knew that. Everyone knows that."

I rolled my eyes. It was true. Everyone knew Thenam Genovese wasn't exactly the kind of man you'd call pleasant company.

"And you're allowing this?"

I sighed into the phone pressed against my ear. "I don't necessarily have a choice here."

"Yes, you do. You could've threatened to kill her, scared her off, or stayed silent and just shot the place up."

"You don't get it, Angelo. This time's different."

"I know your daddy was that kind of bastard, but come on. We both know the man never resists a chance to blow something—or someone—up."

"That's not it. The girl..."

"She's that hot? Fuck, that's crazy." I could practically hear the little filthy scenarios Angelo was brewing in his brain.

"She's a Luciano."

And for a very rare moment, Angelo "Ashes" Amari was silent. The moment was so unexpected, I almost smiled.

Almost.

"Direct or far?"

"Do you consider her being the youngest heir of Vincenzo Luciano indirect, Angelo?"

"Shit." He cursed sharply. I'd known Angelo almost all my life. Not just because our fathers were best friends —there were plenty of children my father's allies had that I'd grown up with and would put a bullet through without hesitation—but because Angelo was different. Ruthless when needed, sure, but loyal to me in ways that mattered.

"The wedding date is undecided yet but it's been confirmed that it's happening. No matter if I shoot her and my brains out." I kicked a pebble away with my foot.

"But is she hot though?"

"I forgot you came with a 60 seconds of bareableness." I said before pressing my finger on the red button at the bottom of the phone. I through an invisible blunt on the ground mindlessly as I pushed off the wall.

I needed weed.

The Lucianos emerged from the house with their daughter, followed by maids and staff loading her bags into the trunk of my car. Charlotte leaned in, whispering what I assumed was sisterly advice into Celine's ear. Cassian stood just behind them, towering as always, his sharp eyes cutting to mine like he was daring me to blink.

Inside, our fathers continued hashing out the so-called rights of this arranged marriage, talking business while handing over lives like poker chips. Celine, meanwhile, stood there with the same cold, immovable expression she'd worn all day. Her ice-queen demeanor was unnerving—and a little impressive.

My attention shifted back to Cassian, who suddenly stepped forward, closing the gap between us until he was just two feet away.

His voice was low and full of venom. "If I find even one hair on my sister's head misplaced, I'll kill you."

I didn't flinch, meeting his glare with a smirk. "Don't tempt me."

His jaw tightened. The urge to punch me was written all over his face, but instead, he leaned in closer. "Touch her wrong, treat her wrong—I'll make sure you don't get back up."

"Good pep talk," I said, flashing him an infuriating grin. "Can't wait for the wedding toast."

"Cassian," his father called sharply, silencing him before he could retort. Cassian glared at me for a moment longer before stalking back to where his sisters stood.

Luciano's gaze swept over me, then landed on his youngest daughter. "Antonio," he said coolly, "open the door for her."

I clenched my teeth but didn't argue, walking to the car. Pulling the passenger door open, I waited, watching as Celine moved toward me. She walked with that same stiff, regal air, like she was preparing for a battle instead of a car ride.

She didn't say a word as she slid into the seat, making a point to look anywhere but at me.

Good. I didn't want the conversation.

As I rounded the car to the driver's side, my father's voice carried from the doorway. "Get going, Antonio. The faster this is done, the better."

Cassian's glare burned into my back as I opened the door and got in. I didn't bother looking his way. He could keep staring.

I knew what we all did.Whether they liked it or not, Celine was mine.

____________________________________

cassians so petty I can't 😭 him and Antonio def give me will have a fist fight over a piece of chicken vibes I can't lie. and did you see Cassian being a protective brother?? we love to see ittt!! ahhh im so sorry for such a bad chapter and a long one lmao the next one will make up for it I swearrr

don't forget to charge your phone!

-zio 🍸