Staying as close to the truth as possible without giving anything away, I answer, “I’m meeting a friend at her office.”
As I set my clothes down on the counter and switch on the faucets, Christiano comes to stand in the doorway. “Which friend?”
“You don’t know her.” I take hold of the doorknob and lift my eyebrow at him. “I have to shower, or I’ll be late.”
His eyes bore into mine, then he lets out a chuckle and darkly murmurs, “Do you really think I’m going to let you meet up with someone I don’t know?”
“Jesus, Christiano,” I snap, and feeling cornered, I push against his chest to try and force him out of the doorway.
Of course, he doesn’t budge.
Anger shoots through me. “Her name is Yana Kahn. She’s a doctor and not a part of the Cosa Nostra at all.” I step into his personal space and seethe, “And don’t for one second think I’ll allow you to dictate who I can and cannot be friends with.”
The man has the nerve to grin at me as I lay into him, and it makes a frustrated sound escape me. “You’re impossible!”
He leans down and presses a kiss to my mouth, then says, “You’re cute when you’re angry.”
With parted lips, I watch as he walks to the front door while saying, “Remember to plan the wedding for two weeks from now.”
“What do I tell my parents?” I call out.
Opening the front door, his grin widens. “You’re so good at coming up with lies, I’ll leave it to you.”
When he leaves, I slam the bathroom door shut and let out a frustrated growl.
God, he’s so stubborn!
Just as I strip out of my pajamas, I hear my phone ring, and opening the door, I dart to my bedroom and pick up the device. Seeing it’s Christiano, I walk back to the bathroom as I answer, “What now?”
“Are you giving me attitude, princess?” His voice rumbles in my ear.
“Yes.” I shut the door behind me again and say, “What do you want?”
“Tell your parents I’m nervous you’re going to break things off again, and that’s why we’re getting married sooner.”
“You never get nervous,” I state the obvious.
“When it comes to you, I do,” he admits. “You have a proven track record of being a flight risk.”
My breaths rush over my lips as I stare at the steam coming from the shower.
All this back and forth about the wedding is driving me even more insane.
Giving up, I say, “I can’t do this anymore. Get the marriage licence and let's just get it over with, because you clearly don’t give a shit about me.”
“Don’t push me, Sienna.”
Done with the conversation, I hang up and put my phone on silent.
When I step into the shower, the water is already cooling. I wash my body as tears sting my eyes, and five minutes later, I switch off the faucets. After drying myself, I get dressed while trembling like a leaf.
I suck in a sharp breath, then grab hold of the counter as my lungs refuse to work. All the pressure squeezes my chest until there’s a sharp pain.
My legs give way, and as my butt hits the floor, I grab my throat and let out a strained cry.
A weird sensation skitters down my spine a second before the bathroom door slams open.
“Fuck!” Christiano drops down beside me, and I’m yanked to his chest. “Christ, Sienna.”
