“No idea.”A shiver runs through me and pebbles my skin with goose bumps.I know somebody who might have a clue, somebody I haven’t spoken to since I told him how inappropriate it is for us to message each other.
“Well, I need you to start asking questions.Get in touch with your father.No, on second thought…” he decides while a grim smile twists his lips, “… I’ll do it.”
“Wait.Please wait,” I almost have to shout when it’s obvious he’s heading for the door, ready to go back up to the house where I’m sure Rocco and Luca and everybody else are beside themselves.To hell with them.
Lifting my head, I find him staring down at me.Is he confused?He seems that way, cocking his head to the side and everything.“Can you stay with me for a minute, at least?”I ask.“All of the war talk and chest-pounding can wait, don’t you think?Your wife needs you right now.”
His face falls a little, but at least he steps away from the door.“What do you need?What can I do?”
My hands twist in my lap.I don’t know what to say.Typical me, making a stink but coming up empty when it counts.“Just sit with me for a little bit?Don’t drop me here before going back to the things that really matter.”
His cheeks puff out when he blows a deep sigh, rounding the coffee table and settling in the middle of the sofa, close enough to touch, but he keeps his hands to himself.Still, something about his warm, steadying presence loosens a little of the tightness in my throat and my chest after seeing that hideous gift.
“I can see how you would look at it that way,” he murmurs, leaning forward with his forearms on his knees and toying with a coaster on the table in front of us.“I don’t think of it that way, but then I guess I don’t think about it at all.I don’t do it deliberately.”
“I grew up with parents who are rarely in the same room with each other unless it’s a big event.So maybe I’m a little more sensitive to a couple living as roommates.”I can’t help sliding a glance his way, remembering all of the lovey-dovey eyes at dinner.“I can’t imagine your parents were ever like that.They adore each other.”
A smile stirs at the corners of his mouth.I really shouldn’t stare.“They do,” he agrees with affection.“Papa is a puppy dog when it comes to her.But…” His smile changes to a frown before he goes back to messing around with the coaster, turning it in circles.
“But?”I prompt.Why does he shut down on me like that?It’s beyond frustrating.Just when I think we might be able to build a bridge, he checks out.
Snorting softly, he replies, “But they didn’t start out that way.Their marriage was arranged.”
I can’t help but gasp.“Seriously?”
“Mama told me not long ago.Just before we were married, in fact.I’m sure she was trying to encourage me.”His wry smile fades before he clears his throat.Right on schedule, he closes down on me.
“We’re seeing theirafter, not theirbefore,” I muse.“They’ve been married for how long?”
“Longer than the few weeks we’ve been married.That’s what you’re getting at, isn’t it?”There’s curiosity in his dark eyes when he turns toward me.
Right away, I wish I could take it back.“I was only asking.”Why does he have to look at me like I’m under a microscope?I can’t tell if he’s studying an unknown species or fighting not to laugh at me.Either way, it doesn’t exactly make me feel good.
I don’t have to deal with it long, thanks to his phone buzzing loudly in his pocket.“I should get back.”He sounds regretful, strangely enough, as he stands while checking the message.“Do you think you’ll be all right here?You’ll have a guard on the porch, and I won’t be long.”
I feel like I’m in a business meeting.Should we shake hands next?“I really didn’t know what my brother was going to do,” I whisper.
All of a sudden, I feel very alone, even more alone than I did before dinner, when all I had to worry about was a husband who makes me want him when it’s painfully obvious he doesn’t want me.Now I have the thought of my brother out there somewhere, acting like a freaking maniac, killing somebody, and taking their eyes to get back at the Santoros.
And maybe to get back at me for marrying into the family.
“Hey, Sophia.”There’s concern in my husband’s voice when he drops to one knee in front of me.It’s like some bizarre parody of what should have happened when we got engaged.“I wasn’t accusing you of anything.I don’t think you’re behind this, and I’ll make sure nobody else does.Trust me.”
Tears flow down my cheeks faster than I can catch them.“It was just so… so ugly…” I stutter between sobs.“And he’s my brother… and I don’t… I don’t know…” I don’t know how I’m supposed to live like this.I don’t know if my brother is truly sick enough to take his rage out on the people who are now my new family, like it or not.
I don’t know if he’s going to take it out on me.
“Come here.”And now I’m in his arms once he’s pulled me to my feet.For the first time in too long, I can breathe without a weight crushing my chest.I’ve been carrying something very heavy for much too long, and it’s finally time to set the burden down and let someone else deal with it.
“I’m here.I’m not going to let this hurt any of us,” Dante vows, stroking my hair, letting me melt into him.He’s so much stronger than I am.I’m tired of trying to be strong.
With my face against his shoulder, I whisper, “I’m scared.”There, I said it, and I’m still alive.He’s still holding me.“I’m scared of what he can do.I’m scared somebody’s going to get hurt.”
“I’m telling you, nobody’s getting hurt.”He’s gentle but firm, lifting my head away from his shoulder so he can look me in the eye.His touch is surprisingly gentle, brushing hair away from my face before staring deep into my eyes.“Nobody hurts what’smine.Do you understand me?I want to hear you say it.”
“Nobody hurts what’s yours,” I whisper.
“And you aremine.”His arms tighten, drawing me closer.“You’re my wife.My family.Do you understand?”
