When Julian and I arrive home after school, my mood doesn’t improve when I find Michael waiting for me in the lobby.
He looks terrible, with shadowed eyes and a bruise on his cheek, and it sets me on edge. He never comes to see me in person, so whatever he has to tell me must be important.
Julian stiffens when he sees him, inching closer like he’s ready to protect me from my own stepfather. In the past, all my guards have been quick to show their respect to Michael. After all, he’s the one who’s supposed to hire them. But now I’m wondering if he actually did?
I’m trying to remember if he ever paid attention to who my last guard was. Would he even notice if they’d been switched? Honestly, probably not. Michael doesn’t concern himself with me unless he has to.
“Gabi.” He nods at me. “I need to talk to you for a minute.”
“Okay,” I answer nervously.
Julian hesitates like he doesn’t even want him here, but ultimately, we all pile into the elevator together and ride up in stilted silence. When the doors open and we step into the penthouse, Michael lets out a low whistle.
“Pays to have friends in high places, huh?”
He sounds bitter, and I don’t know why he cares as long as he doesn’t have to deal with me.
“I need a few minutes with Gabriela,” Michael tells Julian.
Julian seems reluctant to leave, and he glances at me as if to silently communicate he’ll be there if I need him. It’s strange that he’s so wary of Michael, but I suppose he’s probably picked up that he’s not a very nice man.
When I nod at Julian, he heads to his bedroom, and I let Beppe out of his tote and turn my attention to Michael.
“What happened to your face?” I ask.
“Your mom’s pissed at me,” he groans. “She doesn’t get that a man has needs beyond what a wife can provide sometimes. That’s something you should remember, Gabriela. It will make your marriage much easier.”
That bit of information makes me feel queasy, but of course, he doesn’t notice. Michael has always been an oversharer, andthe last thing I want to hear about is what he does in his free time.
“Men like variety,” he explains, like I’m not getting the concept. “The wife is the home base. She keeps the house clean, cooks dinner, and raises the children. The man works hard to provide. Sometimes he wants something different than the same home-cooked meal every night. You get me?”
“Is this what you came to talk to me about?”
“No, but it will do you good to understand. No man wants a wife who nags about what he’s doing outside the house. You mind your business, and that’s all you have to worry about. Trust me, you’ll be much happier for it.”
Even though my mom has never liked me, I can’t help feeling a bit sorry for her. But if I don’t find a way out of my marriage contract, I’ll be doomed to the same fate.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I tell Michael, hoping he’ll get to the point.
He drags a hand through his hair and sighs. “Well, anyway, the reason I’m here is because I spoke to Riccardo today.”
I swallow my nerves, wondering if Riccardo said something to Michael about last weekend.
“He wants you to submit to a virginity test,” Michael informs me. “He’ll set it up and let you know the date.”
“What?” I stare at him, horrified.
“It’s standard practice in the higher echelons,” Michael says. “It’ll be quick.”
Dread settles in my gut as I consider the fallout when they discover I’m not a virgin. I’m imagining an exile far away from everyone I know, or a rushed engagement to someone even worse than Riccardo.
They’ll definitely yank me out of school, and I’ll never be allowed to go back.
The world around me blurs, and it feels like my life is flashing before my eyes.
I always knew having sex would be a risk, but I never thought Riccardo would stoop this low. The man showed up to our last family dinner covered in lipstick and perfume, and no one said a word about it.
This might be the world we live in, but I know the only reason he’s doing this is because his pride was wounded when he was on the island. He didn’t like that I defended Romeo, or that I was dancing with him.
