She leaves again, the door closing firmly behind her.
Hours pass as I watch the sunlight crawl across the sky through my bedroom window. I’m not even bound to this room anymore, yet I still can’t bring myself to leave. Evening falls and the estate grows quieter.
I've just changed into a loose t-shirt when the door opens without warning. I freeze as I watch Frankie slip inside and close it silently behind him. My heart leaps at the sight of him, then sinks just as quickly. He looks exhausted with dark circles under his eyes.
"Are you okay?" I ask, taking a step toward him before stopping myself.
He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up in a way that makes my fingers itch to smooth it back down.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come up sooner. It's been a…complicated day. I didn’t mean to be so short with you earlier."
"Santiago wants to meet me, doesn't he? To inspect his son's bride," I say so suddenly, it takes Frankie by surprise.
Frankie's jaw tightens as he stares at me.
"Yes. At some point he would like to meet you. I managed to convince him you were too tired from our trip today."
"Why would he listen to you?"
The question that's been gnawing at me all day finally spills out.
"You're just a guard. Why would the head of the cartel take orders from you?"
"I've worked for the family a long time," he replies smoothly. It’s the same words Pita used earlier. "Santiago respects my judgment on certain matters. It wasn’t an order."
"Like me? Am I one of those 'certain matters'?"
I’m fully aware I’m acting like a brat right now but I can’t help it. He moves to the window, pushing the curtain aside slightly to look out at the night sky.
"Yes, Datura. You're my responsibility."
The words twist in my chest making me want to scream and pound on his chest. Just his ‘responsibility’. Just a ‘job’. Does he even realize how much those words sting?
"And then what?" I press, needing to hear him say it. "After the wedding, what happens to…this?" I gesture vaguely between us, not even sure what 'this' is anymore.
Before he can answer, his phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out, glances at the screen, and curses under his breath.
"What is it now?" I ask, alarm spiking through me. Why is the universe trying to sabotage me this way?
"I’m not sure exactly," Frankie says, his voice tight as he types something back. "But your cousin has been busy. He's sent Antonio, Alexander, and Felix to Arizona."
A smile spreads across my face and I can’t hide the excitement I feel. I’m going to see my family. Maybe not everyone, but it’s something. He scowls when he sees my smile.
"Apparently, they're here to open an Italian restaurant." His laugh is short and bitter. "I’m not stupid though. They're here to monitor your situation."
My heart races. Why is he telling me this?
"Monitor me? You mean…help bring me back to Italy?"
"I mean make sure you're safe and being treated well," Frankie corrects, his eyes meeting mine. "And to report back to Andre about the wedding preparations."
My stomach drops.
"But not to stop it," I say, the brief hope dying as quickly as it flared. "Not to take me home."
"No," Frankie confirms. "That would start a war between families. Even Andre Manitellie isn't ready for that…yet."
The 'yet' hangs in the air between us.
