Grace paced around her room as recent events constantly replayed in her mind.

  Dammit; I forgot Pez in Ray's office. I can't go back for him now after that, though.

  Knock, knock.

  And what the hell was that 'he'll choose if I don't', crap? He can't force me to marry someone, can he? I know he just wants me to choose the next leader, but it's too fast.

  Knock, knock.

  "Grace, are you in there? I was told this is your new room," Vincent called out to her from the other side of the door.

  Grace's head jerked up, and she stopped pacing. "Yes, sorry." She rushed to open the door.

  "Can I come in?"

  "Technically, it's Zain's room because mine was broken into, but come in." She stepped out of the way. I should've gone to find a new room to be mine.

  "I see... Thank you." He gave her a nod as he entered and looked around. "Neater than I was expecting."

  "I thought the same thing." Grace chuckled. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

  "I was wondering how you were doing, cara mia."

  "I... I don't know, honestly. It's just one thing after another these days, and it's too much."

  He nodded. "Life gets like that. I was also wondering if you knew which way your heart was leading you."

  "My heart?" Grace froze as Vincent lifted her hand to kiss the back of it. Heat formed in her cheeks.

  "What I mean to say is, I'd love for you to be my wife, if you'll have me."

  Grace's heart skipped a beat. He proposed! Wait, but he was a marriage candidate, so this is what he was here for in the first place. Is he pushing for it, then? Say something, you idiot!

  "Thank you, but I... uh... I don't know who to choose." Grace bit her lip.

  "Yes, I figured as much. I was expecting more time to woo you, but alas, that time is almost at an end." He tugged her closer and wrapped his arms around her. "Sometimes, physical compatibility will help one decide." He leaned in close.

  "Wait—" Grace was cut off with a kiss. "Mmm..." She lightly pushed on his chest, and he backed away ever so slightly.

  "I'm not only doing this because of the whole 'heir' situation. I like you, Grace."

  "You do?"

  He chuckled and leaned his forehead against hers. "I know I may have a womanizing reputation, but I don't go around kissing women I don't like."

  "You don't know me all that well." And I don't know much about you.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  "I know how strong you are. I know you value friends and family. I know you are a caring, moral woman."

  "Isn't that a hindrance to the mafia?"

  "It can be, depending on your involvement. I am open to changing the things you can't agree to, so long as we can keep the family well-funded."

  It's all about money?

  "Money makes the world go around, cara mia. We do a lot of illegal things, but most of it is in trading, and not including the government in all the deals." He caressed her cheek and slid his thumb along her bottom lip. "If a short kiss wasn't enough to give you an idea, shall we try a bit more?"

  "M-more?"

  "A deeper kiss? More touching. I'm certain I can make you feel ecstatic." He kissed her on the cheek. "Even if you don't want to have sex yet," he whispered into her ear, and she quivered.

  What was that? Body, stop reacting that way!

  "So, what do you say, cara mia? Should we try something more?" He kissed her neck.

  "Oh!" She jolted a bit from his electrifying touch.

  "Seems like we'll be quite compatible. How about—"

  The door burst open.

  "I heard Vincent visited you..." Zain trailed off when he saw them. He gritted his teeth and swallowed hard. "What in the world are you two up to?"

  Vincent kept his arm wrapped around Grace and looked over at Zain. "Can't you tell by looking? And I'd rather not have an audience, so do you mind leaving?"

  "Excuse me? This is my room."

  "Fine; we'll find another room, then."

  Zain grabbed Grace's arm and tried to pull her away from Vincent, but he kept his hold on her.

  "Stop!" Grace yelled at both of them and manoeuvred herself out of both of the grasps. She grabbed them both by an ear and pulled them down.

  "Ow!" They both yelped in pain.

  "I know you're supposed to be rivals right now, but I'd rather you two not physically fight over me in any way, which includes grabbing at me like that."

  "Okay, fine, just let go." Zain held his hands up in surrender.

  Grace looked to Vincent, who sighed and nodded, agreeing. She let them go and stepped back. "Ugh, this is such a mess."

  They all heard clapping from the doorway. "Grace, you're still as awesome as always," Pez said. "Able to stop two..." Pez trailed off when Zain glared at him. "Um... The nice lady said your new room is set up." Pez took a step back. "And she's giving me the one next to yours."

  He must mean Mary. "I'm guessing she showed you where it is?" Grace asked.

  "Yup!"

  "I think I'll stay in there, then."

  "Wait." Zain and Vincent stepped in front of her.

  "You're going to have to choose soon," Zain said.

  "Soon, as in, not right now. Move, please." Grace made a separated motion with her hands, but neither of them moved.

  "I feel like we haven't had enough time together to help you choose." Vincent went to step towards her with his hand out, and Zain's hand shot out, pressing against his chest.

  "I think we all know your way of getting to know her, and that's not appropriate right now."

  "Oh? She seemed to be enjoying it enough until you interrupted. I think it's a great way to get to know her physically."

  "But she's the kinda girl you need to get to know first before the physical will have meaning. I guess you're not used to women like her."

  "Don't start fighting again." Grace pointed a stern figure at each of them. "I don't have the patience for it right now."

  "Fine, fine, but we need to do something." Zain sighed.

  "Why don't you play twenty questions or something like that?" Pez suggested.

  Grace shook her head. "Pez, I don't think so. I don't know what to ask them, either. I don't know what I'm looking for in a man, nor what I want in the future. I have absolutely no idea what to do anymore." Grace massaged her temples as she cringed.

  "You two, move outta the way!" Pez pushed past them. "Grace is on overload, and you're not going to get an answer to anything when she's this way." He grabbed her hand and pulled her past the other two.

  Zain and Vincent watched Pez take her away to her new room, and then looked at each other, stunned.

  "I'd rather not upset her further, so I'll leave it be for now." Vincent stepped closer to Zain, standing toe-to-toe with him. "But I'm not giving up on her."

  "Neither am I."

  "May the best man win."

  Zain's eyes narrowed. "You seem so sure of yourself just because you're good with other women—"

  "Don't underestimate me. I'm not in it just for the family, which would make both of us stronger, but for her. I like her." Vincent left without another word, his head held high as he walked the halls of the Bertolottis estate.

  "Tch... Cocky son of a—" Zain thumped his fist on the doorframe. "Ha, if only you were the only one we had to worry about. Now, I have to worry about Roger, too."