揟hat抯 private!?I hissed, but he抎 already picked up a stack of fifteen drawings of him. The one at the top showed Santino holding hands with my adult self. I抎 used a computer app to age me and then drawn myself beside Santino.
I really hoped he wouldn抰 recognize me. The stare he gave me crushed my hope. 揥hat抯 this??
I swallowed and shrugged.
揑 know this is supposed to be you, Anna. I recognize you, not to mention the ridiculous checkered Chanel costume no one else under the age of seventy would wear.?
揅hanel is fashion, no matter the age,?I said indignantly.
揧ou won抰 draw me ever again, understood? This is my last warning.?
He stalked out, not waiting for my reply.
Embarrassment still warmed my cheeks and I was on the verge of an angry cry when I realized something: Santino had paid enough attention to my drawings to notice the differences in my progress over the last few months.
A grin spread on my face.
揂nna??Mom called and pushed the door that Santino had left ajar farther open, poking her head in.
揅an I have a word with you??
I picked up on the tension around Mom抯 mouth. She shared the same full lips with me, but now hers looked like a hard line. Had Santino snitched on me? I couldn抰 imagine it. 揑s anything wrong??
揙h no, sweetheart,?Mom said as she came in and sank down on the padded bench in the window frame.
I sank down beside her, wondering what this was about.
揥ith your thirteenth birthday coming up very soon, your dad and I thought now might be a good time to discuss your future with you.?
This didn抰 come completely unexpected. As the Capo抯 daughter, everyone was waiting with bated breath to whom I抎 be promised. 揙kay??
揧our father and I have spent the last few months thinking about a possible bond. We didn抰 want to rush things, especially because the boy we have in mind for you might come as unexpected.?
I抎 heard rumors of me being married to someone from the Corsican Union to strengthen the Outfit, but I knew Dad. He抎 never allow me to become part of another mafia family. He抎 be too concerned about my safety. Dad wouldn抰 even let me leave Chicago, even if that would limit my possible future husbands drastically. An Underboss抯 son would never want to leave his city for me.
揧ou know Clifford Clark, don抰 you??
My mouth formed an O. He wasn抰 someone I抎 had in mind when marriage was concerned. 揥e play tennis together.?Together was a loose term in this case. He and I had never really played double or against each other, but we played in the same club, and on occasion, our tennis coach had created groups of his students to work on certain skills. A few times Clifford and I had been in the same group, but apart from a quick 揾i?we抎 never exchanged an actual conversation. He always had a pack of friends around him like an entourage.
揧our dad抯 been working with his father. The cooperation is important for the Outfit and we抮e trying to create a stronger bond between our families. Having connections to the political elite can be an advantage.?
I racked my brain for my latest memory of him. It had been several months ago. He and a few boys had sat on the bleachers while Luisa and I had played tennis. Clifford was tall and blond, kind of handsome. If only my hair were blond, all the people who begged for a golden couple would have a field day. I giggled, causing Mom to give me a look of puzzlement.
揑 just thought that he抎 be perfect to satisfy the golden couple enthusiasts. But Leonas would probably have to take my place.?
Mom laughed. 揟hese golden couple rumors won抰 ever stop.?
I knew many had wanted Dad to marry someone other than Mom exactly for that reason.
Mom put her hand over mine. 揧ou抮e taking it better than I thought you might.?
I raised my eyebrows. 揑抦 surprised, but I don抰 see why I should be worried. Everyone has an arranged marriage.?Then I pursed my lips, wondering why Mom was worried. 揙r do you think I won抰 belong in the Outfit anymore if I marry an outsider??
揝weetheart, you抣l always be part of the Outfit. Your marriage to someone like Clifford would help the Outfit, which everyone will appreciate greatly. His family is very influential and if his father becomes senator, this will only improve.?
I nodded. The Outfit would be untouchable if we had the support of an important political family. I knew Dad worried a lot about our safety and the strength of the Outfit. If I could help him, why wouldn抰 I do it?
揂nd you would have more freedoms in a marriage with an outsider. You could study art, maybe even work in the field. Our men aren抰 as liberal.?
揌ave you and Dad already agreed to the marriage??
揘o,?Mom said immediately. 揑 wanted to talk to you first.?