Quiet Temptation

PART I - Chapter 1

PART I

Fall 2017

Chapter 1

Martina Marino, age 18

"I just don't like this, not one BIT," my mother sniffles dramatically into her hankey. I didn't even know they still made hankies. She dabs her eyes with fervor.

Nonna starts swearing in Italian about how a woman's place is in the home and not 'gallivanting' around the world educating herself with notions of grandeur like some kind of 'feminist.'

I exchange wary glances with my older sister, best friend, and closest confidant, Mirabella Donnelly – formerly Mirabella Marino.

She clears her throat and turns to my mother, "Marty will be careful. She's very intelligent, and if Papa says she can go study abroad, then she will."

I smile to myself. Mira's always been better at handling our parents, and everyone, than I have. I usually have 'doormat' written all over my face.

By some miracle, I convinced Papa to let me go away to college and study at Legacy University. It's honestly a miracle. I wonder if he's losing his mind a bit with all the drama with the Vitali threat.

Mira's husband, my brother-in-law, Ronan Donnelly stands with their two-month-old, my first nephew – Matthew. The baby is wrapped around one of those baby Bjorn's and is cooing adorably. Ronan gives me a tight, sympathetic smile.

The whole family is here to see me off at the airport. I've got two giant suitcases with all my personal belongings in them. I still can't quite believe this is real.

Papa has given me the same deal he gave Mira years ago. I can go to college and focus on my studies, so long as I agree to uphold my duty of marrying for his advantage when the time comes.

I fiddle with my carry-on as Mama, Mira, and Nonna argue in Italian.

Finally, Papa breaks their argument with a loud throat clear.

"We need to let Marty go, or she will be late for her flight," he gives me a wink. I blow a breath out from between my lips and the strand of dark black hair that has fallen in my face flies away briefly.

I take turns hugging each of my family members, first my oldest brothers, Marcel and Mario. They're quiet as usual. Ronan pats my back lovingly, "If you need anything, you know we have eyes everywhere," he assures me.

I nod knowingly. My brother-in-law and father have an alliance, one they also struck with the Russian Bratva with the marriage of Ronan and Mira. My Papa's network has never been larger. There aren't many benefits of being the youngest daughter of the Don of the Chicago Outfit – but at least I know I'll always have some guy with a gun in my corner, ready to kill anyone who threatens me.

Papa hugs and kisses me next, "Remember to behave. I'm trusting you, Marty."

"I'll be good," I promise.

I've always been the good one. The quiet one. Marcel is the oldest – the charming, responsible one. Mira is the smart one, the princess. And Mario is the brawn - both serious and thoughtful. You wouldn't know how thoughtful Mario was because he wears a strong mask of indifference most of the time.

And yet, I'm just...the good one.

There's nothing particularly special about me. Especially in comparison to my siblings.