Nonetheless, I saw strength beneath his suit. It was hidden beneath the silken fabric tailored explicitly for him. Between that, his eyes, and the scruff on his face, I felt myself go weak in the knees.
His sharp looks were equal parts alluring and dangerous.
And when I realized I was staring, my eyes shot back to the wall.
“Hmmm.”
I rehearsed the answers to questions in my mind. I forced myself to embody my cousin as I kept drawing in steady breaths. The man only called Israel slowly walked around me. I felt his hot gaze roaming up and down my figure. I rolled my shoulders back. I kept my head held high. And as he made his way back to the front, he stepped in between me and the wall.
“Look at me,” he commanded.
I felt everyone holding their breath around me as my eyes slowly rose. I didn’t say a word. Not until I was prompted, anyway.
“What is your name?” he asked.
You can do this. “Brianna Moretti.”
“How old are you?”
Stay calm. “Twenty-three.”
He nodded. “What’s your favorite color?”
I smiled softly. “Blush pink. I love the cherry blossom trees in the—.”
“I didn’t ask for your favorite tree.”
I swallowed down my sassy response as my eyes fell back to his chest.
“When is your birthday?”
You got this. “June 11th.”
“Year?”
“1997.”
“Are you still a virgin?”
My eyes snapped up to him. “Of course.”
He nodded. “Good.”
Then he sidestepped me, as the room let out a collective sigh of relief.
“Mr. Moretti. A word?” Israel asked.
I clenched my jaw to keep it from trembling as my eyes locked on the wall again.
“Of course,” my uncle said. “Whatever you need, Israel.”
“I’d like to be shown around your estate.”
My uncle had always been calm and collected. “I can make that happen. Brianna?”
I quickly turned. “Yes?”
I saw Israel shake his head. “She can stay here. She has no business seeing your office.”
My uncle furrowed his brow. “My office?”
Israel nodded. “Yes. I’d like to get a feel for the business I’ll one day be running. Since I’m marrying your only child.”
I felt my eye twitch at the comment, and I prayed no one saw.
“If that’s what you wish to see—”
Israel interrupted my uncle. “Take me to it. Now.”
My uncle’s eyes panned up to the balcony where my aunt stood. And even though I wanted to turn to see her reaction, I knew I was almost home free. If Israel felt comfortable enough to want a tour of the grounds, then that meant I had performed my job correctly. I simply had to keep selling it until everyone walked out of the foyer and left me behind.
Why am I always left behind?
My uncle nodded. “Of course. If that is what you wish.”
Israel loomed over my uncle. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
With a flick of his fingers, my uncle motioned for everyone to follow him. And it wasn’t until the last man left the room that I let out the breath I was holding. I panted softly, my eyes traveling up to the place where my aunt had been standing. But the balcony was empty, leaving me all alone in the grand foyer of the house I had grown up in.
“You did it,” I whispered.
I smoothed my hands over the dress, unsure of what to do with myself. Did that mean I had to marry that man? My uncle promised me I wouldn't have to marry him before the plan took place. The only thing I knew about Israel was the rumors about him in the community. The empire he ran for his family. The ruthlessness of his actions. The strict business deals that got people killed if they even glanced outside of the lines. I could only imagine what being married to him would be like.
Just do it before the wedding. No harm, no foul.
Assuming Israel didn’t sniff me out first.
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Liar : An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance (Sold to The Don Book 2) Page 17
