“You’re in my office.”
I glance up, looking for cameras. I don’t see them, but they must be here. I never thought about it.
“You’re looking well.”
“Thank you.” I fiddle with the skirt Kaiser wanted me to wear. My outfit is more preppy than usual, but I guess I look good. Normal. “It’s good to hear your voice.”
“Did you need something?”
“Yes. I need you to tell me what’s really going on. ”
A pause. He’s hesitating, which makes me wonder if someone’s listening in. “Now is not the time.”
“Papa, please. We need to talk.”
“I know. We will, soon. When we’re truly alone.”
So he does think Fraternitas is monitoring this conversation. They’ve bugged his phone line or his office. Or both.
Drat.
“I don’t even know when I’m allowed to see you.”
“I’ll be at the engagement party.”
“What is this engagement party?” I ask before I remember Father Francis mentioned it to me, too. “When is it?”
“Early August. Fraternitas is making the arrangements.”
“And the wedding?”
“It depends on a few things, but it will happen. Probably before the end of the year.”
Ugh. My first real semester starts at the end of August. I never thought I’d be attending university as a married woman.
Kill me now.
“You can’t be serious about this,” I sigh into the mouthpiece. “This is all so sudden and… I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to understand. I am your father and the head of this house. One day you will inherit all of this, but until then, you will obey me.”
My breath comes faster. “Papa, please talk to me.”
“There’s nothing to talk about.” He’s doing what he always does, withdrawing from me. It only makes me frantic, and when I finally lose it and start crying or raging, he tells me I’m too emotional.
I bite my lip to keep from lashing out at him. I can do this. I can remain calm. Give him a taste of his own medicine.
“I am your daughter, and you’re asking me to enter shark-infested waters.” It’s more like he’s throwing me in, but I refuse to believe I don’t have a choice. “I deserve to know what’s going on.”
“I know you don’t want this marriage, but it’s for the best. There’s a lot at play?—”
“They think you poisoned some mob guy,” I blurt. I don’t care if we’re bugged and Fraternitas overhears this part. I want them to know the truth. “I know you didn’t. We just have to prove?—”
“Not now, Belladonna.” His voice is harsh. I flinch like I’ve been struck. “The deal is done. The marriage is happening.”
I shake my head. He must see it on the cameras because he says, “I negotiated for you to be able to attend school and have access to your greenhouse. It’s not the prison sentence?—”
“It is!” I’m losing it. My emotions are like a storm, too big for me to control.
