Stefan let go of my legs.“Fine.Say what you have to say.But make it quick, for fuck's sake.”
Nick looked at me and then back to Stefan.Then he turned around and spoke to Carlo, “Do you want to tell them?Or shall I?”
Carlo gazed down at his friend and pushed away from the couch.“Go ahead.He listens to you.”Carlo walked around the couch and sat back down with Giselle.
“Very well, then.Obviously, Raul will be looking for you.If he's not already doing so.And as I said before, we need to find a way to make Francesca less enticing.”His eyes drifted down my exposed body.“In a manner of speaking.”
Stefan sat back in the couch and settled me into him, covering me with the blanket.I wasn't sure if he did it to keep me warm or to keep Nick's eyes off me.“Hurry up.Quit stalling.Say what you're going to say.”
Nick stared at Stefan for a moment.“You, and,” he nodded at me, “Francesca.You two need to get married.”
5
Francesca
“Excuse me?”Stefan said, a whole lot less calm.“What the hell are you talking about?”
Nick's expression didn't change.“Tonight.”
Stefan let out a loud yet brief laugh.“You're out of your mind.We're not getting married tonight.As if that would even be possible.”
A small smile crossed Nick's lips.“It is.I've arranged the legalities.The wedding will take place exactly one hour from now.The papers will be here by then and we'll have a short ceremony for you two.”
Stefan shook his head and laughed louder this time.“You've lost it.Completely lost it.And besides, how would my marrying Francesca make any difference?”Stefan's body wasn't tight and stressed anymore.Which was exactly the opposite to how I was feeling.
Nick straightened his tie and started in on his explanation.“Raul wants Francesca.Instead, you make her—yours.And he wants a virgin.So, you'll take care of that tonight, too.After the wedding.”
Now it was my turn to freak out.I choked on my own spit and began a coughing fit.Stefan rubbed my back, and Eve rushed over with a glass of water.“Here, take a sip,” she said in a gentle voice.Her hand touched my shoulder, and she squeezed.“Giselle and I have everything set up for you upstairs.”She gave me a smile that I swore looked genuine.“Come with us, okay?We'll get you ready.”
Eve had a way about her—like they all did.Each one of them seemed to make me want to trust them.And that was more than a little unnerving.
“Eve, we're not getting married,” Stefan said while I took the glass from her and took a few short sips.
Eve lifted her hand and placed it on Stefan's.“Yes, you are.Listen to Nick.Please?I know this doesn't make sense to you right now.But this is for the best.This will keep you both safe.”Her eyes grew wet.Part of me wanted to hug Eve.And part of me wanted to run screaming from this house.
Marry Stefan?
That wasn't exactly on my bingo card for this year.But then again, neither was falling in love with a patient, or selling off my virginity.
“They're right, honey,” Giselle interjected from the couch.“If you think about it for a minute, you'll understand this is the only option left for you two.The only way to get Raul off your back.”
Stefan closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.“What makes you think our getting married will change anything with Raul?”Stefan gazed at everyone.
“If you put your stink all over her,” Carlo snarled, “the asshole might lose interest.It's the way of the jungle, Brother.You know that.”
I expected Stefan to object.To disagree.Or at the very least—to yell at Carlo.But all he did was look at me.And then finally he said, “I hate it.”He sighed and kissed the side of my head.“But they're right.Getting married might turn Raul off enough.It's worth a shot.”
My freaking jaw fell open, and I gaped at him.“You're bananas.I'm not marrying you.Or—anything else.”I tried to push away from him.
Eve stayed where she was.In front of me.“It'll be okay.We promise.Come with us and we'll get you ready.”Eve grasped my hand and smiled.Then Giselle was suddenly there, too, and took hold of my other hand.Together, they both pulled me to standing.
I stepped back, but only for a moment.Giselle whispered, “Francesca, this is the only way.Stefan is a target now, too.This isn't just about you.”
My shoulders went slack, and all the fight completely left my body.
Dammit.
She was right.
