When She Falls (The Fallen, #3)(9)

“It’s pretty low on my list of concerns.”

“What are your concerns? Have you voiced any of them to our father? Has he listened? Things have changed, Gem. You know that, right? After what happened with me, you should have a say in who you marry.”

“You really have forgotten how things work in our family.”

Her eyes flare. “Don’t you understand I have leverage now? Damiano can—”

“Damiano can’t do anything. He’s a don on the opposite side of the world.”

“Him and Papà have this deal—”

This time, the scoff slips out. “You really think your new husband will risk an important deal for my sake?” She’s delusional if she believes that. Damiano wouldn’t have become a don if he made his decisions based on anyone’s emotional whims, Vale included.

“Can you stop interrupting me and just listen? Let me handle Damiano. If you just tell me what you want, I can help you.”

Vale doesn’t get it. She doesn’t know what’s at stake.

Calling off the engagement would throw everyone under the bus. If the alliance between Papà and Rafaele falls apart, the Garzolos will become a target.

For all I know, Rafaele might decide to destroy us himself.

No, there is no way out of this.

“What I want is to marry him. It will be good for the family.”

A shadow passes over Vale’s expression. “My marriage was good for the family too. At least that’s what Papà said. Look how that turned out.”

“That was different,” I say. “Speaking of family, they miss you, you know. Nona wanted to be here, but the flight would have been too difficult for her. And our aunts ask about you every time I see them. You should call them.”

My suggestion is innocent, but I can see she’s taken aback. She crosses her arms over her chest and looks toward the window. “I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“It doesn’t matter. They just want to hear your voice.”

She shakes her head, her gaze fixed on the glittering sea outside.

“Are you angry with them?” I venture.

“I was in the beginning.” She stands, walks toward the window, and pushes the sheer curtain aside. “But not anymore. Now, I don’t know what I feel.”

“They had no idea what Lazaro was making you do. None of us did.”

Vale links her palms behind her back. “Unfortunately, emotions are rarely logical. But like I said, I’m not angry at them. If anything, I’m ashamed.”

I get up and move toward her. “Why?”

“I should have called a long time ago to offer my condolences after what happened with the Riccis, but I just couldn’t do it. The questions they’d ask about me and Lazaro… I didn’t want to have those conversations. I still don’t. It’s selfish of me to want a clean break from my life in New York, but that’s what I want.”

Something cracks inside my chest.

I get it. I do.

But I’m part of that old life.

Does she want a clean break from me too?

My fingertips brush against her shoulder. She looks at me. “I wish Papà would call off your engagement and let you and Cleo move in with me.”

There’s a flash of hope, like a single match being lit inside a dark room.

And then it’s gone.

“You know he’d never let that happen.”

Vale’s smile is sad. “I know. I just don’t want what happened to me to happen to either of you. I don’t think I could live with myself if it did.”

“It won’t.” I clasp her hands. “Look, I appreciate you trying to help, but you don’t need to worry about me. I’ve always known I’d marry someone of Papà’s choosing. I’m ready for this. My concerns are nothing I won’t be able to work out once I’m back home. Now, I didn’t come to your wedding to spend the entire time talking about mine. Let’s talk about this week, please.”

The line of her shoulders softens, but there’s a look in her eyes that tells me this won’t be the last conversation we have on this subject. “All right, let’s talk about this week.”

She walks me through the schedule. It’s packed. A family-only cocktail reception tomorrow night, then Martina and Giorgio’s wedding the next day. Two days later, it’s Vale and Dem’s turn. The more Vale talks, the more excited she gets. There’s a glow about her that’s new. She didn’t glow like this back when she lived with us in New York.

“You seem happy,” I tell her when she finishes describing all the events.

She glances at her hand, the one that’s sporting a massive engagement ring and the wedding band from her elopement. “I am. I know we’re already married, but it still feels special to do it with all these people as witnesses. Even Vince is coming. I haven’t seen him in years.”

Our older brother Vince has lived in Switzerland for nearly five years. He rarely comes to New York, and when he does, he doesn’t stay long.

I smile. “It will be good to see him. How many guests are coming?”

“For Mari and Giorgio, there will be around one hundred people in attendance. For ours, there will be a few more.”

Including my fiancé and his consigliere. They’re coming the day before Vale’s wedding.