Sold To Mr. Giordano novel Chapter 5

Father and my brothers are dressed in their best dark navy suits all with different color ties. Father always wore a blue tie that matches his eyes. Luca, wore red, and Angelo, purple. Mother wore a light pink dress that Father would scold for her later-pink always makes her look flush and he always said how ugly she looks in it. Even though it is her favorite color.

My hands sweat the entire ride to the mansion, Antonio's other aunt decided her home is big enough for such a festivity and she is right. It is almost as big as the mansion we have in New York City-the one I won't live in ever again. Angelo discreetly takes my hand in his and rubs his thumb over my knuckles silently telling me everything is going to be okay. But it won't. I'm marrying a man I do not love nor know.

The Giordano family greets us in the foyer, we're fashionably late, so guests have already arrived and have begun to mingle amongst each other.

Antonio's Aunt Cordelia hugs me and looks me over, "A pretty one she is. Very pretty indeed."

I feel like a piece of meat they're inspecting.

"Sister-in-law," Rocco pulls me into a hug. "You look ravishing," he whispers in my ear.

In heels I only come up to his chest, he's maybe 6 foot two, and Antonio definitely has two inches on his little brother. They both look so similar, both have dark brown hair and dark eyes, Rocco is more round in the face where his brother has more sharp features. Rocco also has a light birthmark on his chin where Antonio has a scar on his cheek. Both brothers endearingly handsome, but both scare the ever-loving crap out of me. Well, Rocco not so much, he's seems like a jokester, but I don't know him well enough to say he's harmless. I mean, he is a Made Man and consigliere of the Outfit.

"Your fiancé is in the other room," Rocco whispers and lightly pushes me in the direction of Antonio.

When I step into the living area, everyone stops talking to stare at me. The girls look bitterly jealous, and the men's jaws have dropped. I look at Antonio feeling incredibly nervous. He's wearing a black suit with a red tie-is it coincidence that we're matching? His jaw ticks as his eyes rack over my body. He approaches me and I begin to feel meek. I have to crane my head to look up at his face. He's extremely tall and muscular, I can't help but begin to picture what he looks like shirtless.

No. Stop.

I stare down at his shined black shoes. "Good afternoon, Mr. Giordano."

"Come. I have something to show you."

Please don't be anything sexual.

He drags me along upstairs until we can no longer hear the crowd talking. He opens up his suit jacket and reaches in the pocket. I flinch, but what he pulls out is a black velvet box. He opens it and reveals a large diamond ring, the way it shined told me it was stupidly expensive.

"You shouldn't have," I say with my breath caught in my throat. I can't control myself, I just can't.

"You are my fiancée and my fiancée needs a ring."

"But not one so expensive," I am afraid to touch it.

He shakes his head. "Only the best."

"But why, you don't even know me. This is too kind."

Antonio chuckles lowly. "I am not kind. This ring is to prove worth, that I am rich, and powerful. Do not mistake me for a good man, Arielle." He grabs my left hand and shoves the ring on my finger.

It looks so beautiful. I always thought this moment would be me crying tears of joy while I jump into my fiancé's arms and kiss him.

"Yes."

While I feel embarrassed and tinge of trepidation, Antonio looks stoic and cold. He doesn't seem to have any interest in talking to me on a personal level. It's all business. He doesn't seem to be the Alexander I knew who was working for my father. This Antonio is different. That's mean he was never interested on me, he was just on his mission.

"I think so, but we don't...we don't have to. Right?" Hope fills my eyes.

He shakes his head. "It's tradition. If you need anything, Carmelo will get it for you." Just like that Antonio is gone and Carmelo replaces him but keeps his distance.

I will be a slave, forced to live in misery-just like my mom.

I want to throw up, the nauseating feeling in the pit of my stomach hasn't subsided. The penthouse feels lonely. I hate the silence.

Angelo is down the hall and next to my room Carmelo has settled in. He hasn't said much to me, he's a dark brooding mass. I can't help but feel safe, Angelo on the other hand doesn't. He seems more worried than usual, he's also wary of Carmelo. Angelo will report to Antonio tomorrow and start his official first day as one of the soldiers of the Outfit. I say a quick prayer for the safety of my brother before dozing off to sleep.

"Arielle," a voice startles me awake.

The sun is shining through the windows-I must've slept through the night.

"You have a visitor," Angelo says.