Page 1 of Unspoken Ties
Chapter one
Liria
“Well, it’s important to understand that inflation isn’t just about prices going up. It’s a complex economic phenomenon driven by changes in the money supply and demand for goods and services.”
Dillon had been talking about the economy, and he must have gotten the impression I had no idea what he was talking about. Despite my attempt to politely interject and show that I understood economic theory, he continued to talk over me. So, with a forced smile and nod, I followed along with his monologue, hiding my frustration behind a facade of polite interest.
“Let me break it down for you. You see, when the money supply increases faster than the growth of the economy, it leads to higher prices because there’s more money chasing the same amount of goods and services...”
I couldn’t believe I was engaged to this man.
Growing up, I always knew an arranged marriage would be in my future. I was Hilaria Alto, the only daughter of the most powerful Italian Mafia family in New York City. I knew my fatherwould fight to secure the man who was most beneficial to our family.
I was initially surprised when I learned my fiancé wasn’t from another Mafia family. It was the norm to wed within our own circles, in order to solidify bonds and create strategic alliances. When I learned more about his background, it became apparent why my father had made the choice.
Dillon was a member of congress, his family’s legacy in politics spanning generations. His father held a prestigious seat on the Supreme Court and other relatives occupied influential positions within the White House. My father already held dominion over the five most powerful mafia families in the United States - why would he bother arranging a marriage for me with someone of lesser status? It seemed he had a different kind of power in mind.
“But let me elaborate a bit more. See, it’s not just about consumer behavior; there are also factors like cost-push inflation and demand-pull inflation that contribute to the overall understanding of inflation’s impact on the economy.”
There was a large piece of spinach from dinner stuck between his front teeth, which further added to his lack of appeal. He was only an inch taller than me, which wasn’t saying a lot, because I barely cracked five feet. He also didn’t pay mind to his health, and had accumulated a lot of fat on his stomach.
I would have been able to look past it if he had an outstanding personality. But I had met Dillon two other times, and each time he had acted the same way. He barely let me get a word in and would explain basic concepts to me as if I was a child. I internally cringed, wondering how I could commit to a life of being with this man.
“Have you heard about the Phillips curve? It’s a fundamental concept in macroeconomics that explains the relationship between inflation and unemployment-“
The raucous noise of a fight erupted at the entrance of the restaurant, drowning out Dillon’s voice. I leaned to one side, straining to catch a glimpse of the commotion. Shouts and crashes echoed off the walls as furniture was pushed aside in the chaos. My heart raced with adrenaline as I wondered who was involved and what could have caused such a disturbance in an otherwise peaceful setting.
It was probably just one of father’s men having one too many drinks. The small, fine dining restaurant we were eating at was used exclusively for Mafiosos and their high-profile guests.
A towering figure sauntered by our table and came to a stop beside me. His broad shoulders and muscular frame spoke of physical strength and power. Despite the massive blood stain that covered the front of his shirt, he seemed completely at ease.
“Come with me if you want to live,” he stated, his dark eyes locked on to mine.
“Wh-what?” I responded, shrinking away from him.
“Now hold it right there buddy-” Dillon started, but the tall man kicked his chair over, causing Dillon to tumble with it.
The man didn’t ask me again. His rough, tattooed hand gripped my arm tightly, pulling me towards the darkened back of the restaurant. The smell of grease and old food lingered in the air, mixing with the faint sound of sizzling from the kitchen. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as he dragged me towards an unknown fate.
“Wait-” I began to say, before the sound of shots rang out through the restaurant.
My screams echoed through the air, piercing and raw. My heart raced with a mix of fear and gratitude towards this mysterious man who had whisked me away from danger. But as I gazed up at him, my eyes searching for any hint of his intentions, I couldn’t help but wonder if he was leading me towards an even more treacherous fate. And now, in the handsof this stranger, I feared for not only my own safety but for the future of my family’s legacy.
The legacy that I was incapable of continuing. I was my father’s greatest disappointment; not only because his only child was a girl, but because of how soft-spoken I was. My entire life I had been painfully shy, and no matter how hard he tried to fix me, my social skills never improved.
Per my father, one of the stipulations in the agreement for Dillon and I’s arranged marriage was the expectation of a male heir, someone who could carry on the noble Alto legacy. Because I had failed in every way.
“Dillon,” I said. “We need to go back for him.”
“I have a feeling the scumbag will be just fine.”
Dillon possessed many traits. He was arrogant, annoying, and stubborn. I found his presence unbearable, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call him a scumbag.
“That’s not nice,” I mumbled quietly, looking at my feet as I was all but dragged through the kitchen.
“What are you, a child?” He glanced over my body from head to toe and scoffed.
“I just turned nineteen!” I said, turning bright red.