I want to ask if they’ve heard from Lynette, but don’t want to bring it up in front of Nico.I don’t know how to read him.He’s so hot and cold.I can’t tell if he likes me or despises my presence.
Last night I thought maybe…maybe he was into me.I must have misjudged his behavior and his reaction.
My father’s cell phone rings, and his face turns red at whatever news he’s received.I’m assuming it’s about my sister and Frankie because steam is going to blow from his ears at any moment.
“Darling,” he addresses my mother, “it appears Lynette and Frankie have returned.”
“Father,” I say, reminding him of our deal.
“Yes, yes.Odette.I gave you my word.”
Mother looks at me oddly but doesn’t speak to me.Instead, she turns her attention back to Father.“My precious, Lynn.”
“They’ve married, and she’s pregnant,” he announces.
“Ooh,” Mother squeals in delight.To her, Lynn can do no wrong.“Well then.We must be going.There’s much to be done.They’ll need a place to live, and there’s the baby to think about,” she prattles on, forgetting all about me.
“We’ll talk soon,” Father tells Nico.“Come along, Gissette.”
And just like that, my family is gone, and I’m alone with Nico.
Chapter Five
Myhusbandhasonlybeen alone with me for two minutes and is already stealing glances at his watch.“I’ll be in meetings most of the day.”
“Of course.”
Nico finishes his coffee and clears his throat.“Explore the house.Just stay away from the east tower.”
I nod.Curiosity has me wanting to go there immediately, but I know I shouldn’t disobey his wishes.
Servants move around us like ghosts, removing plates of half-eaten food and empty cups, but leaving mine for me.Not that I have much of an appetite.
“We’ll dine together if I’m home in time, but if I’m not, don’t wait up for me.Sometimes I stay overnight in the city.”
A strange mix of relief and disappointment settles in my chest.I understand the nature of this union, yet there is a part of me — foolish, hopeful even — that had imagined our small stolen glances and touches meant maybe he was attracted to me.“I won’t,” I promise.The words come off sadder than I intend, and my cheeks redden.I hate how transparent I am.
Nico stands, pushing his chair back.He runs a hand through his dark hair.“We’ll talk later,” he assures, though it sounds more like a chore than anything.
He approaches me and touches his hand to my shoulder, then glides a finger along the slope to my neck and along my jaw.“Tonight, Fiore Mio.”His term of endearment confuses me.
I watch him leave, the resonance of his touch lingering far longer than the man himself.I pick at my untouched breakfast, yearning nibbling at my insides in ways a meal won’t fulfill me.
No.The only thing that will satisfy this craving is my husband and his touch.
Until then, I’ll have to find other ways to fill my time and satisfy this ache that has carved itself inside me.
The mansion is an expansive web, rich with rooms that ooze luxury and are untouched.I let myself wander, nodding politely and saying hello to the employees I encounter as I explore.Another housekeeper, a gardener, the chauffeur.All of them are too busy working to pay me much attention.Of course, his men are around, lurking like the whispers that seem to taunt me.They don’t acknowledge me outwardly, but I feel their eyes on me.
Sunlight spills through tall windows, painting the halls in gold.I should feel fortunate, living in this mansion and being married to a man like Nico Moretti.But I’ve never been lonelier.I miss Lynette and even Gissette.I want to talk to my friends.I can’t do that, though.They wouldn’t understand.
It isn’t like I go around advertising that my father is connected to the mafia.
I continue exploring, peering into rooms that look like no one ever sets foot in them.This place is more like a museum.
I imagine how it must have been once filled with laughter and children.
The whispers follow me down every corridor, and yet when I go in search of where they are coming from, I find nothing.No one.Maybe I’m imagining it.Not even twenty-four hours have passed and I’m losing my mind.
