I shake my head. “I can assure you he won’t.” Is she truly that deluded when it comes to Maximus? I don’t want to upset her, but a dose of reality is needed. “This marriage of ours…” I’m not quite sure how to explain what’s really happening with me and him. This is anything but a marriage. “Our union was arranged. It wasnota mutual agreement between him and me.”
“Of course it was arranged,” she says, putting her hands on her hips. “He is from a very old family who honored the traditions of those before them. Considering the times we live in, some of the crime syndicate members are very stuck in their ways of thinking things ought to be done.”
My mouth falls open, and I swing my head around to search for anyone who may have overheard her. She laughs, and the sound is between a wheeze and a chuckle. Before long, Rosetta wipes the tears from her eyes, and I wring my hands, with my gaze darting to the door every so often.
“I’ve known Maximus since the day he was born,” she says. “In fact, I helped bring him into this world. So to answer your unspoken question, yes, I know what the family business entails. Not the specific inner workings but enough to know the Silvestri men are not to be trifled with. They, like all other people from the underworld, where you yourself also come from, value loyalty. I have pledged my life to them and will continue to do so until my last breath. This is why I speak freely.”
“Men are quick to demand loyalty, but do they offer it just as quickly?” I mutter.
Rosetta gives me a solemn nod. “It is their way. They’re raised with this belief or expectation, and given their lifestyle, it’s understandable.”
“My family doesn’t have a motto. Only the seven families that occupy a seat on the Wolf Pack’s council do. Or at least they’re the only ones that matter.” I shake my head and sigh. “Never mind my ramblings.”
Her gaze takes on an analytical feel, and I avert mine to avoid her seeing anything. Rosetta is easy to be around, but I have to remember at all times she is loyal to Maximus and whatever I say will get back to him.
“You do have a motto, Mrs. Silvestri. It’s ‘loyalty ‘til death’ because you are part of this family now.”
I step closer to the vanity and skim the smooth surface with my fingertips while glancing at myself in the large three-piece mirror. My reflection stares back at me, and I try with all my might to understand what Rosetta sees in me. Why does she treat me like I’m truly respected and viewed as Maximus’s wife? It makes no sense, but I don’t mind using it to my advantage.
“I’d like to rest for a while,” I say. “Will it be difficult for me to procure some reading material or obtain internet access?”
She shakes her head, sending gray strands flying about her face. “I’ve completely forgotten about that. If you’ll give me a moment to organize the kitchen staff for dinner’s preparation, then I’ll return shortly.”
“Thank you.”
The second she closes the door behind her, I settle myself on the window seat, reopen the blinds, and stare out. The sun is already setting, which isn’t surprising because I was up until almost dawn and slept a large part of the day away. The vibrant colors paint my skin in orange hues and turn the wine color of my dress into a blood red. Ignoring the wrinkling of the expensive material, I tuck my legs and rest my head on the nearby wall that frames the small alcove. I don’t want to think about anything. Not where this dress came from, since I doubt it was bought with thoughtfulness or consideration for me. Not why Rosetta treats me so nicely even though her loyalties lie elsewhere. And not why Maximus’s touches range from punishing to tender.
The city lights glitter in the distance more so now that the sun has completely set, indicating how much time has passed. I let my imagination, my greatest asset, take me on an adventure. In my mind I’m not associated with the criminal class. Instead, I’m just a regular young woman who attends college full-time. My major is in anthropology, and I’m only in my sophomore year, but I’m on the dean’s list due to my excellent grade point average. This night has me dining at an unknown but good-quality restaurant with my…boyfriend.
Maximus’s image appears and shatters the fantasy.
With a huff of frustration, I wrap my arms around my knees and place my chin on top. I don’t like my husband, the man who forced me into this sham of a marriage, permeating my thoughts. It’s bad enough he’s taken my body and my freedom, but I want to keep my mind and heart safe. As far as my soul? He’s stolen pieces of it.
One for every moan I uttered.
One for every ounce of yearning I felt.
One for every tremor of ecstasy that coursed through me.
Maybe he really is a fallen angel, a demon that owns me in this hell on earth. I quietly recite Our Father as if that will ward off all evil, including Maximus. It’s foolish, I know that. If Father Aldo couldn’t use the power of God to intervene on my behalf, then I certainly don’t have the power to do so. Would Maximus allow me to attend mass or go to confession? It might be the only way I’ll ever be able to see the city.
Unless he’s the same as my father and plans on keeping me locked away in here.
A knock sounds, and I turn my head in that direction. Rosetta’s voice reaches me before I see her, but the first person to enter the room is a young blonde woman who appears to be only a couple years older than me.
“Place the mistress’s things over there,” Rosetta says. She strides into the room, and there are more tendrils of loose hair bouncing around her face than last time I saw her, giving her a disheveled appearance. “Quickly, Lizbeth. I need you back in the kitchen.”
“Yes, signora.” She deposits the items on the chaise lounge in the corner. Then Lizbeth gives me a small, timid smile. “Is there anything else I can fetch for you, mistress?”
I shake my head and return the smile. It’s awkward on my face, but she doesn’t seem to notice. “Thank you.”
Lizbeth exits just as fast as she appeared, leaving me alone with Rosetta. “I wasn’t sure which books you’d enjoy,” she says, “so I took the liberty of bringing you this laptop. Maximus has a newer model and doesn’t use this anymore. If you decide to purchase a book, or anything at all, the banking information is already programmed into the computer so you don’t need to worry about anything.”
My mouth falls open. “Are you—” I stop myself from asking if she’s sure this is okay. It doesn’t matter if it is or isn’t, because I want this. Being without my virtual escape isn’t something I know how to handle, and given everything that’s happened to me recently, I need it more than ever. “Thank you so much,” I whisper, emotion clogging my throat. “I really appreciate it.”
I smile, and for once it isn’t heavy or fake.
Rosetta returns the facial expression. “Enjoy,caro. I’ll have your dinner sent up shortly.”
