“You promised me a virgin bride,” Rafaele says. “And Gemma is not a virgin.”
Papà’s face turns red. “Nonsense.”
“Garzolo, she admitted to it herself,” Rafaele says.
“She’s unwell. You know how she’s been ever since she returned to us. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”
“I know exactly what I’m saying,” Gemma says firmly as she stands up.
Nero clicks his tongue. “It seems to me like she’s quite in control of her mental faculties, Garzolo.”
Papà rises, his chair skidding out behind him. “This is a misunderstanding. Let me talk to my daughter in private.”
No way in hell. He’s not going anywhere near her again.
I move to put myself between my father and Gemma, but my brother beats me to it. Vince stares down Papà, his jaw a hard line.
“I’m done talking to you,” Gemma spits out, peering around Vince. “It’s already been decided. I won’t be marrying Rafaele.”
Papà tries to come closer, but Vince blocks his path. “Sit down,” my brother snaps.
“Get out of my way,” Papà snarls at him. “Gemma, what the hell is this? How dare you—”
Gemma slams her fist against the table. “How dare I? How dare you demand anything from me after what you’ve done? I spent my life trying to keep you happy, only to get beaten by you and emotionally abused by Mamma. You’ve never loved me. I don’t think you’ve ever loved any of your kids. I’m through with you. My only regret is that it took me this long to get here.”
Let him hear it, Gem.
“And by the way, I’m pregnant,” she says.
Our parents’ reaction is priceless. I wish I could take a picture of their shell-shocked expressions so that I’d have something to look at on the days I’m feeling down.
“Like I said, Gemma is no longer qualified to be my wife,” Rafaele drawls, cutting through the stunned silence with his cold voice. “The stipulations in our contract were very clear. I’ve already delivered what I promised. I got you out of prison, and I got your charges dropped. This isn’t how I do business, Garzolo.”
“What do you want me to do?” Papà rasps. He’s really panicking now. “I had no idea—”
“You owe me a wife.” Rafaele’s gaze falls on me. “So I’m taking your other daughter.”
Our eyes clash together. His are so cold that most people are repelled by their icy scrutiny, but right now, there’s something else swirling inside all that ice.
Something vaguely possessive.
My blood chills in my veins as my surroundings fade. I don’t break eye contact even though it feels like a noose is slowly being tightened around my neck.
In our world, marriage is never an equal partnership. It’s a prison.
And I’m not the kind of person who does well in captivity.
Just ask my parents. I’ve disobeyed them my whole life. The more they tried to control me, the more I rebelled. I was going to find a way out of this life. I would leave New York, build a career, and become independent.
That dream is all over now, isn’t it?
I tear my gaze away from my future husband and look at my sister.
Gem.
That’s right. This isn’t about me.
I’m doing this for her. Because I love her, and I want her to be happy with Ras and her baby. My dreams have always been just that—dreams. But her happy ending is real and ready for the taking.
“Everyone knows that girl is a slut.”
The voice of Rafaele’s uncle pierces through the pounding in my ears.
I flinch even though it’s not the first time someone’s called me that.
One of my recent attempts to piss my parents off included lying about going all the way with an outsider. They bought it, given Papà was the one who walked in on us in bed. The truth is all we did was some heavy petting, but I encouraged the rumor to spread. If it helped me avoid marriage, I didn’t care what anyone thought of me.
But right now, the word bothers me. If it’s what stops Gemma from getting away from here, I’ll never forgive myself.
Rafaele turns to his uncle. “I’m aware there are rumors floating around about my future wife. Good thing they’re completely unfounded. From now on, anyone who speaks a word of them will lose their tongue. Have I made myself clear, Uncle?”
My future wife. My mouth goes dry. Jeez, he’s adjusting quickly to the change.