His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 388

Vincenzo

A belated honeymoon?

What the hell was I even thinking?

The idea had popped out of my mouth before I could fully think about it, and it was all because of guilt.

Aria's excitement had me regretting the words almost immediately as I did not want to give her the wrong impression. She said she loved me, and here I was-taking her on a honeymoon. It wasn't helping my case.

As much as I appreciated her love, my opinion of her hadn't changed. She was not someone I could see myself with, and I would never love her. I didn't even know if I could.

I pitied her because she was raised in a mess of a family she didn't ask for. I pitied her because she didn't know any better.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I carefully thought about my next steps. I couldn't, and wouldn't, be alone with her, and I would pull every string to avoid that from happening.

Sprinting down the stairs, I headed to Luis, who was in the back, studying with Livia. His results had been good the past few days. A good reason to make him tag along.

Seeing the two working together made me feel at ease, and I hated to break it up-but it was necessary. "Luis!" I interrupted them as they both looked up from their books. "Pack your suitcase. We're going on a vacation.

Livia looked up, her eyes meeting mine with a soft smile on her lips. Luis gasped, then he jumped up from his seat. "Really?" he exclaimed. "Where are we going?"

"Miami!"

Luis frowned, clearly disappointed. “That's hardly a vacation, Vince." he shook his head. “It's like visiting our next-door neighbors."

"Well, sorry. But I do have a business to run," I said dismissively. Miami wouldn't just be a getaway, it would be a strategic move.

It was where Tiago lived, meaning I could recruit him for the Black Market, and give Aria the trip I had promised, killing two birds with one stone.

I turned my attention to Livia, who was listening in on the conversation, and then an idea popped into my head. The more the merrier.

"You should also go!" I suggested. "Pack your bags. I'll cover everything-you can even take little Dace

She opened her mouth to respond but I quickly interjected. I'll even double your pay. Just please." It almost appeared as if I was pleading.

I didn't want to be alone with Aria because I didn't know what stunt she would pull. I trusted her as a business partner, but I didn't trust her as a person.

Livia laughed. “I was going to say yes because I need a break, but I won't say no to you doubling my pay." A smirk played on her lips. "Good." I breathed, relieved. "That's settled then."Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

"And what about that doubling pay...will that still be a thing?" Livia asked as I turned my heel.

"No," I said, hearing a soft chuckle from her. The sound of her sweet voice made me turn my head for the last time, and when I did, I didn't know how fast to lower my gaze.

Each time I looked at her, it reminded me that beautiful tutors had no place in this household. I had a wife, annoying but good-looking, who claimed to love me.

Yet, I had never once looked at her the way I looked at Livia. Believe it or not, if I wasn't married to Aria- I would've even considered becoming Dace's stepdaddy. It was that serious.

"I was just kidding about the pay, Vince," Livia assured me.

"I know....I know," I walked away for real this time. She was so dense, she didn't realize it wasn't over the pay raise.

That's how much she disliked me.

On my next mission to ruin the honeymoon, I surprisingly found myself in front of Angelo Marino's room

Me trying to recruit a Marino on a trip, was enough proof for my feelings.

I entered his room without knocking, mainly because his door was right to open-and locked eyes with Angelo who was talking on the phone.

Waiting patiently, I leaned against

the door. As expected, my presence

urged him to finish quicker. "Finally, muttered when Angelo ended his call, shooting me a questioning look. Tm taking Aria on a belated honeymoon, I announced, having no time to waste.

"I know. And I think it's a terrible idea, Angelo replied. "You need to plan the weapons sale.

"We're not going far. And my uncle can handle things for a few days," I defended, irritated. He only knew about the weapons because Aria told him about them-still here he was, trying to tell me what to do.

"And does your uncle know you've declared war on the Lambertis?" Angelo retorted.

I was taken aback. I knew Angelo was the one who had told Aria to cause trouble, and now he was speaking to me as if I was the bad guy. Theoretically, he was the cause of all of this.

"I thought war was what you were after when you told Aria to stir the pot."

Angelo fell silent, which was somehow worse because he didn't deny it. As much as I'd like to blame Aria, 1 knew she was just a pawn in this.

I couldn't do anything because I was also just a pawn. Angelo was sent here due to Oscar Morales' request, and I had to live with that.

"Why aren't your suitcases packed yet?" I asked Angelo, breaking the uncomfortable silence. “I figured since you're always breathing in Aria's neck- you might want to tag along."

"Breathing in her neck?" Angelo chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'm looking out for her. Something her husband is supposed to be doing- "Then you marry her." My eyes rolled so far back, it made me dizzy.

Vince this, Vince that-but Vince never asked to be her husband.

"Anyway, the offer is here. We're leaving tomorrow," I said, heading towards the door. "And if you're so afraid about me mistreating your Miss Aria, then there's nothing left for you to do than tagging along

"Fine, I'll go," Angelo forced a smile. “And during this 'honeymoon' of yours, I hope you can sit down and think about the way you treat the wife that loves you so much."

"Yes, maybe." I nodded. "In the meantime, I hope you can sit down and think about the reasons why I might not feel the same." I walked out, leaving Angelo behind.

I intended to sneak past Aria's room, but then I figured that giving her a heads-up was a normal thing to do. Standing in the doorway, I watched her packing her belongings with a wide smile on her lips.

One I didn't want to see because I felt bad about the situation. It was kind of messed up, but she had left me no choice.

"Aria, listen." I knocked before entering, "I was thinking maybe we could go to Miami. I can introduce you to Tiago while we're there." I said.

Her face fell slightly. "Miami? Not Ibiza or something?"

"It works better for our schedule, I tried to reassure her.

"Oh..that's okay," she spoke softly, trying to hide her disappointment. "A honeymoon is a honeymoon so as long as we get to spend time together-

right?"

"Yeah, about that," I paused,

scratching my head. Tve asked Luis,

Livia, and Angelo to tag along. It needs to look like a normal trip. thought it would be better to seem like a normal trip, in case Christian is

watching." I made up the last part.

I was too much of a coward to tell her straight up that I just didn't want to go with her alone.

"But it's our honeymoon..." Aria protested in a sulky tone.

"We don't have to take them if you don't want to," I suggested, hoping to play on her feelings. "It's fine, I'll just tell them we're going some other time,

and "

"No," she interrupted, shaking her head. "It's okay. They can come."

"Are you sure?" I asked, placing my hand on her shoulder and looking into her eyes. That was she couldn't say no.

"Positive."