His Mafia Prince
Chapter 126: Arranged Marriages Aren’t So Bad

Chapter 126: Arranged Marriages Aren’t So Bad

(MILES)

The proximity of our bodies makes it hard for me to focus. I am aroused but I don’t push for sex because I know that isn’t what my omega wants now. He needs comfort. I should soothe him and tell him without words that he’ll be alright. That everything will work out just fine. That I’ll keep him safe. I need him to believe that he can trust and depend on me.

I’ll let him know that by pressing soft kisses at the back of his neck, and his forehead and gentle strokes done his body.

After a few minutes of silence, he asks, "When would we do it?"

I get the idea that he is giving in, and it causes excitement to course through me. He accepts the marriage. That means Sasha will relent and he will live. "Soon, probably this week." I keep my voice low. Reassuring.

"Okay, I’ll marry you." He says and touches the mark on his neck. I don’t want bloodshed just because I refuse to marry you. I guess that leaves me no choice."

I rub his shoulders gently then let him go. "You’ve made the right decision, Arlo. You’ll know that soon enough."

He glances at me resentfully. "Sometimes I wish I never met you, Miles."

I smirk. "You did already."

***

Sasha is pleased with the news about Arlo accepting the marriage and the merge. The fact that Arlo is unhappy and resentful about being forced into the marriage doesn’t even faze him the least bit. I’m certain that Sasha doesn’t give a fuck about Alto’s happiness, and that it is the farthest thing from his mind.

Lucia has suggested that we hold a small, private wedding ceremony at their home. I’m okay with that. In fact, I think it’s safe that Arlo stays here at Sasha’s home for his safety. I do have my private residence, but I spend most of my days here at Sasha’s home. So, it’s definitely safer for Arlo to stay here. I’m sure that Dalton is still out here somewhere scheming. He is operating undercover now, but a snake always slithers back.

A few days go by. Sasha and I are still trying to figure out where Dalton might be hiding. We haven’t met Arlo for some time now, which I know he is glad about. I have given him space that I know he needs. I have allowed him to spend time in my bedroom. There’s no point in worrying about him pulling an escape stunt and running away again. I’m sure that he fears for his men, or what he thinks Sasha will do to them if he rebels.

On the fourth morning, I head into the dining room and find Arlo having breakfast with Lucia and Jericho. Arlo and Jericho are about the same age, so they get along just fine. They are in the middle of a conversation and are seriously laughing about something when I get in. The moment he notices me, his face flushes and his eyes sparkle with amusement. I’m even surprised that I feel a tinge of jealousy. Why would he act like a brat with me and laugh a storm when he is with Jericho?

Jericho glances up. "Morning, Miles."

Jericho is a young, good-looking alpha. He looks so much like his brother Sasha. He is only twenty-four but carries himself with the confidence that comes from being related to one of the most powerful mafia families in the city. "I haven’t seen you around much lately."

"I’ve been handling some business with Sasha in the study," I murmur, helping myself to some scrambled eggs and bacon. Once I’ve served, I take the seat next to Arlo. "Good morning, Arlo."

He shoots me a surly glance and says nothing. Instead, he scoots his chair away from mine. He keeps his focus on his plate. His happy mood faded instantly the minute he saw me. He doesn’t seem to have missed me even a little. Am I surprised? No. Even if this little prick missed me, he wouldn’t tell me.

"Have you located Dalton yet?" Lucia asks, holding a delicate porcelain cup with both hands.

"Not yet. The coward is hiding."

Jericho laughs. "He has to. I mean, I’d hide too if the Triple Triads were looking for me.

Arlo glances at Jericho but doesn’t say a thing. I feel his tension. Considering the ordeal, we went through, it makes sense that the subject of Dalton bugs him. I’m sure he’d love to help find his lunatic cousin, but that’s out of the question. Even if Sasha was okay with it, I wouldn’t let Arlo. Dalton is way too dangerous and has nothing to lose at this point.

"I was thinking Sunday would be a perfect day for the wedding," Lucia says, smiling at Arlo. Arlo just looks down at his plate. His high cheekbones look rosy and I notice how his hands tremble slightly.

"I don’t have any arrangements made yet. I’ve been too held up." I turn to Arlo. "Do you have any plans yet?"

"God, no." he recoils.

His boorish behaviour makes me stump my feet on the ground. "Do you have any requests in mind? Your favourite colours? Flowers maybe? What if the cake flavour? Is there a specific one you want us to order?"

"No." he grates out. "All that doesn’t matter. We don’t need to lay out all the plans because this isn’t even a real wedding. Let’s just get someone to officiate this stupid ceremony and get it over with."

Jericho chuckles nervously and exchanges concerned glances with his mother. Lucia brushes it off like she didn’t hear a word that Arlo mentioned. She sips from her cup studiously. Perhaps she is wishing she could leave the room to avoid the looming drama.

I cannot fight Arlo in front of them. I have no desire to. "There is still a lot to be done." I keep my voice low. "We need to get the marriage license. It might be nice to have a nicely catered meal even if the wedding is a sham. Maybe some flowers will be pleasant for the ceremony?"

"Why bother yourself so much? It is a fake wedding." Arlo grumbles.

"You know even Sasha and Tyler’s marriage began like this," Jericho says. "Look at them now. They are very happy and contented."

"How nice for them?" Arlo mutters under his breath.

"Did I hear my name?" Tyler says as he enters the dining, holding little Martino Jr. The baby’s eyes are fixed on the food on the buffet. He is a chubby baby who loves to eat. He has dark hair and brown eyes. He giggles and throws his little feet as Tyler hands him to Lucia.

Lucia holds her grandbaby, eyes lighting up gleefully. "Are you hungry baby, should grandma get you something to eat?"

The baby clasps his hands gleefully as Lucia rises and heads over to the buffet. I watch how she is with the baby and wonder if part of her wishes the baby had her son’s blood instead of Angelo’s. I wonder if she just minds it but never shows. She loves Martino Jr as if it were Sasha’s child.

"Well, we were just letting Arlo know that arranged marriages aren’t as bad. Well, not all the time." Jericho wipes his mouth with a napkin.

"Not all of them are good. It doesn’t matter how you meet. All relationships take work."

Arlo glances at them and keeps spearing his food with a fork.