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"It was arranged," he replied

"An arranged ed and nodded at the same time, a half-assed answer since he wasn’t sure how to explain it "They’ve known each other since they were kids They were justput together, I guess I don’t know if that makes sense, but it’s how most of them do it They just pair off with other people in the life It’s easier that way"

She looked downright perplexed for acrept into her features "Like Michael and Katrina"

He nodded "And their parents before them Prettyin, so they stay in the inner circle My father broke protocol"

"So did you," she said

"I don’t know, tesoro You’re one of us"

"But you didn’t know that, and I definitely wasn’t in your inner circle"

"True"

"Would you have, though?" she asked "Would you have come back here and eventually found someone like everyone else?"

"No"

"How do you know?"

"Because there’s no one else for me," he replied "These people care about bloodlines and rank and power and shit, but none of that matters to me I’d never pursue a woman because of who her father is Chances are I’d just hate her In case you haven’t noticed, ht bitches who feel like people owe theexcept you, maybe So, no thanks"

Haven shook her head "So you’d just be alone?"

"If I’onna be miserable either way, I’d rather be , anyway?"

"I just wondered about it all," she said, still watching the couple "Do you think those two love each other, at least?"

"It’s possible," he replied "Sometimes what they feel is real I know Celia wouldn’t stay with Corrado if she didn’t love hiet married and be happy, too"

"And you don’t think you would have ever tried?"

Her questions made his head spin "I don’t know"

"But don’t you think it’s important to have someone around who understands?"

Before he had a chance to even think about how to respond to that, Corrado and Celia started back in their direction Celia took her seat while Corrado paused beside Car him warily "Howat his half-elass "Uh"

"The fact that you have to think about it is answer enough," he said, holding out his hand "Give me your keys"

Carmine’s heart pounded hard as he took in his uncle’s stern expression He reached into his pocket and pulled out the keys to the Mazda Corrado snatched the the keys to Haven "Make sure he gets home safe"

"Yes, sir," she said quietly

"There you go throwing your weight around again," Celia coh "Well, he doesn’t have a wife yet, so I’"

Carlass when Corrado was called away fro the rest of his drink "You ready to go, tesoro? I’ve had " He peeked at his aunt Celia "No offense, of course"

"None taken," Celia said "Go, have fun"

Haven stood and smiled as they walked away They almost slipped out undetected, but Corrado spotted them as they neared the door and called Carmine’s name "Be available in case I need you, and next time wear cleaner shoes How hard is it to shine them? It takes all of five minutes"

"Uh, yeah," heabout it, but her expression shifted quickly when Corrado spoke once id "Yes, sir?"

"You did well tonight," he said "It’s been a pleasure"

Her eyes lit up "Thank you, sir I’rabbed Haven’s hand and tugged on it, wanting to get out the door before Corrado decided he had so the truth?" Car lot "Are you glad he invited you?"

"Yeah," she replied "They were all actually reallynice"