"It doesn't change anything about what happened."
"Doesn't it?"
I turn to face him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that actions speak louder than words, Liana." Papa stands and walks over to me. "The man failed you. Terribly. Catastrophically. But now he's trying to make it right. In the only way he knows how."
"By starting a war with the Benedettis."
"By finishing one they started." Papa's eyes are serious. "They took you. They hurt you. They threatened our family. Santino is ensuring they can never do it again. To you or anyone else."
"I don't want him to do this for me," I say finally, though I'm not sure it's entirely true.
"What do you want?" Papa asks simply.
What do I want?
I wanted the engagement over. Done. Finished. Achieved.
I wanted to run the family business. Accomplished.
I wanted to prove I didn't need a man to protect me. Demonstrated beyond doubt.
So why am I not satisfied?
"I don't know," I admit quietly, honestly.
Papa puts a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Then maybe you should figure that out. Before it's too late."
"Too late for what?"
"To decide if Santino Marcello is worth a second chance."
He leaves me there alone in his office with that thought. I sink back into the chair, my mind spinning. Santino is destroying the Benedettis systematically and deliberately.
For me.
I should be angry about this. He's acting without my permission, making decisions that affect my safety without consulting me.
But I'm not angry.
My phone buzzes against the desk. A text from Gia.
Gia: Heard about the Benedetti warehouses closing. Santino's doing this, isn't he?
Me: Looks like it.
Gia: How do you feel about that?
Me: I don't know.
Gia: Liar. You know exactly how you feel. You're just scared to admit it.
I stare at the message, my sister's words hitting uncomfortably close to truth. She's right, as usual. I do know how I feel. I just don't want to acknowledge it.
Because admitting it means admitting that I still care despite everything. That despite the three hours, despite the betrayal, despite all of it—I still have feelings for Santino Marcello.
Me: I have to go. Meeting in ten minutes.
