Santino slides into the chair beside me, and I catch his scent. Expensive cologne with something darker underneath. Probably the smell of ego.
"Hi." He turns to face me, draping one arm over the back of my chair. Casual. Possessive. "Tell me about yourself, Liana."
I resist the urge to shove his arm off. Instead, I smile. "What would you like to know?"
"Everything." His eyes travel over my face. "Your interests. Your hobbies. What you do with your time."
What I do with my time is prepare to run this family, despite everyone pretending I'm just arm candy. But he doesn't need to know that.
"Oh, the usual things." I pick up my wine glass, taking a delicate sip. "I sit on several charity boards. I speak three languages. I enjoy art, music, literature."
"You're cultured." He leans in slightly. "I need a wife who can handle herself at formal events and plan them."
Need a wife.
Like I'm equipment he's acquiring.
"And what about you?" I turn the question back on him. "What does Santino Marcello do for fun?"
"Fun?" He considers this like it's foreign. "I work. I build. I expand. That's what I do."
"No hobbies? No interests outside of business?"
"Business is my interest." He signals a server for a drink. "Everything else is purely maintenance."
Charming.
"That sounds focused," I say.
"It's what's required." He accepts a glass of scotch. "You don't build an empire by getting distracted."
Empire. He keeps using that word like he's already won mine.
"Of course." I set down my wine glass. "And once we're married, I assume I'll be part of that empire?"
His expression doesn't change, but something flickers in his eyes. "You'll be my wife."
"Which means?"
"You'll have everything you need. A beautiful home. An allowance. Freedom to pursue your interests." He takes a sip. "As long as you understand that the business side of things will remain my domain."
And there it is. The expectation laid bare.
I'm supposed to smile, nod, accept my role as decoration. Instead, I tilt my head. "And if I want to be involved in the business?"
Now his expression does change. A tightening around his eyes, a hint of condescension. "The business world I operatein isn't appropriate for women. It's dangerous. Complicated. I wouldn't want you to worry about those things. There’s no reason for you to. I’ll handle everything.”
"How thoughtful." I keep my voice sweet. "You want to protect me."
"Exactly." He looks relieved. "You'll have plenty to keep you busy. Running the household, planning events, maybe starting a family eventually."
Starting a family. Code word for you’ll produce heirs while I run everything. I take another sip to keep from throwing wine in his face.
"That sounds wonderful," I lie.
"See?" He's smiling now. "We're already on the same page."
We are absolutely not on the same page.
