My brothers swivel their heads in her direction, and I grit my teeth to keep from telling them not to. Tristano blinks once, the equivalent of a gasp, and Rafael lets out a low whistle.
“Leave us,” I bark at the women.
Rosetta ushers Emilia away, and the second she’s out of my brothers’ sights, I breathe a little easier. The wrath has yet to subside, but it will. And if not, then I’ll unleash the remainder on Emilia for daring to interrupt our meeting.
“Well. Well. Well.” Rafael turns to look at me, a smirk on his face and a gleam in his eyes. “I thought you marrying Caruso’s daughter might be a hardship. I actually felt bad for you, Max, thinking you were the poor bastard stuck with her. I’m not so sure anymore.”
“She is a handsome woman,” Tristano says.
Rafael coughs out a laugh. “This isn’t the Victorian Era. For fuck’s sake, try to speak like you’re born in this century.” He waves a hand in Tristano’s direction. “‘She’s a handsome woman.’ What the fuck does that even mean? She’s fuckable, plain and simple.”
“She’s fuckable by me,” I grind out. “And to answer your question, I will be taking her with me to France.”
Tristano strokes his chin. “Max, keep me informed at every interval of the negotiations overseas. This is an opportunity we don’t want to miss. And Rafael, please shut your fucking mouth before Max kills you. More than enough of our family’s blood has been shed, and you two needn’t add to it. Loyalty ‘til death, my brothers.”
Rafael and I repeat the family motto, the one that precedes us from the generations before and one that will continue on long after we’re gone.
Tristano gives me a nod in farewell and leaves.
Rafael rolls his eyes, his lazy grin returning. “You know I’m not serious, right?”
I give a minute shrug. “You’ve always liked to bust my balls. There’s not enough maturity in the world to get you to do otherwise.”
He chuckles and then punches me playfully in the shoulder. “You’re the baby of the family, so it’s my duty to toughen you up and make sure you’re not a weak-ass bitch.”
A reluctant smile spreads my lips. “Your calling from God, I’m sure.”
“Yes, among many things.” He winks at me. “I’ll be off, but if you change your mind about needing a caretaker for your bride, just know I’ll do the brotherly thing.”
I shake my head and exhale on a laugh. “Loyalty ‘til death.”
Rafael bows his head in a show of respect. “Loyalty ‘til death, brother.”
Emilia
Maximus is angry with me. Very angry.
This plays on repeat in my head the entire time I follow Rosetta throughout the luxurious mansion. I don’t see it as my home, but it is quite nice. Last night I was too overwrought to take it all in. Today I’m able to somewhat appreciate the expensive tiling, crown molding, grand staircase, and overall decor that’s simple but in good taste.
“This is your room,” Rosetta says, coming to a stop.
She presses down on the golden handle and opens the door with a flourish. Does it really matter what my prison looks like? No, but I still find myself wondering what Maximus picked out for me. I peek inside, curious despite not wanting to be.
Rosetta waves a hand, beckoning me. “Maximus wanted you to have your own space while he’s away on business in France. Don’t be shy and come in.”
I pull my gaze away from the mahogany bedroom set, and my brows draw close. “He’s leaving?”
She pats my cheek in a loving manner that shocks me so much I don’t react. “I know you’re newlyweds and you’ll miss him, but he’s not usually gone for more than a couple days, a week at the most.”
“A week?” I repeat, disbelief coating my tone.
“Yes,caro. I can’t believe Maximus is rude enough to leave behind his beautiful bride, but the family business is his life and has been for so long that it’ll take a while for things to change.” She smiles at me with a mischievous tilt to her lips that makes her look years younger in this moment. “I have no doubt you’ll change his mind soon enough. I’ve seen the way he watches you.”
Like he wants to kill me?
It’s on the tip of my tongue to utter the thought, but I shrug instead. Luckily for me, a nonverbal answer or acknowledgment is all that’s needed to keep Rosetta talking. I like that she doesn’t expect me to carry on the conversation or add to it. Instead, she continuously entertains me by expressing almost every thought she has.
Rosetta walks over to the blinds and reaches for the cord to close them. “Like I said before, he won’t be gone long, and then you’ll be back in his room with him. I’m sure he’ll miss you too.”
