Her face tightened.
Don Conti addressed my grandfather. “If, and only if, after your grandson marries my daughter and leaves me with an heir, a male heir, then he can live, and we will call the truce you suggested.”
“I’d rather fuck death,” I said.
In his anger, Don Conti swept all the papers on his desk to the floor. “That will be arranged soon enough!”
“I am married,” I reminded the room.
“The papers.” Don Conti addressed my father’s solicitor who complied quickly.
“And, bring the woman in.”
And with barely a breath, my careful plans unraveled.
Dianora smirked at me. “We caught your bride trying to escape.”
My heart clenched.
Allie walked placidly beside Dianora’s cousin, Leandro. Not that he gave her much of an option. His fingers dug into her arm. Her linen jacket was wrinkled, the blouse underneath pulled loose on one side. Her pants were stained with water and mud. There was a tear at one knee, and a darker stain from blood tinted the ragged edges. The neat ponytail she’d fixed this morning fell half-undone. Her head hung low, as if she were ashamed. She should not be. If anything, my guards should bear eternal shame for failing to protect her.
My hands shook with anger. I’d kill them all once I left this place. If I left this place.
She raised her chin and looked at me with tears collected at the outer edges of her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
My heart ran cold. “You betrayed me.”
“I didn’t, I swear.”
I bent over, carefully pulling the gondola photo from the disarray. “Tell me this isn’t you with the man who is trying to kill me.”
She barely glanced at the photo. Her mouth pursed into a tightly locked chest of lies. It quivered with fear. She searched my eyes frantically.
“Tell me!” I shoved it at her, crumpling the page.
“It is.”
I whirled on my grandfather. “You knew about this? Is that why you let yourself get caught?”
He stared at me. His eyes fully open for the first time since I walked in. “If I had proof she was unfaithful, I would have killed her myself.”
That was enough introspection. I was a man of action, not remorse. “My grandfather will leave now. I will negotiate the rest of this truce.”
“Mario, please, I can explain—” A soft hand hit my sleeve, and I shoved her away.
“Be quiet, wife.”
“Be sure you collect your ring,” Don Manca pointed at the band on her finger. “It sits wrong on her finger.”
It did.
“Don Conti?” Grandfather paused, flanked by the guards escorting him.
“What?” The disrespectful sharpness in Don Conti’s tone grated on my spine.
“The truce will be for one year only. We will renegotiate once I see my great grandson.”
Don Conti smiled. “I knew you’d see reason.”
