She pulls out a laptop before glancing my way again. I feel myself flushing, realizing I was caught staring at her. “I’m Harper,” shewhispers, her dark eyes twinkling like she’s got an amazing secret to share.
“Frankie,” I reply, smiling back.
The professor clears his throat, and I quickly return to my notes, hating that my cheeks will be turning scarlet over the slight reprimand. Harper doesn’t attempt to speak again.
When class ends, my brother-in-law waits outside the classroom. Something about his fierce eyes paired with that sinister smile reminds me of a powder keg in search of a lit match. No one dares speak to me as he prowls along beside me, a head taller than anyone else.
Recalling what Faro said outside the school earlier, I shoot a questioning glance Luca’s way. He notices and smirks. “No, I don’t have a girlfriend. Dinora was mistaken.”
“That wasn’t what I was thinking. I was wondering why Carlo doesn’t trust anyone but you, Renato or Faro with me. Does he not trust his soldiers around me because of Da… or is it because he doesn’t trust me? Or both?” My shoulders slump, deciding the answer for myself and wondering why I bothered asking.
Something brushes the back of my hand lightly, so lightly I wonder if I imagined it when I glance down and find Luca's hand by his side and his attention fully back on the strangers surrounding us. He doesn’t speak until we’re standing outside my next class. “Carlo doesn’t trust easily, Francesca. It would be most unwise of him to be that sort of man, but you are his wife. He will never trust easily when it comes to you.”
“I see,” I say, swallowing hard. He enjoys fucking me. He wanted me for his wife and got his way. That doesn’t mean he trusts me. It doesn’t mean he loves me, regardless of what Aurora said. “I need togo to the ladies' room before class starts,” I say, nodding at the door across the hall.
“Sure. Renato warned me you’re fond of hanging out in them,” Luca says, wryly. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to laugh or not. “Don’t take too long. I’m not as polite as our little brother.” Definitely not a laughing matter.
I slip inside… and nearly scream bloody murder when someone whispers my name. “Frankie.”
Whirling around, I find Maeve standing in one of the open stalls. “How did you-”
She holds up a visitor’s badge, the same sort of thing I wore during my tour. That’s twice she’s surprised me this way. Am I never to have a quiet pee again? She motions for me to come closer and pulls out a phone, handing it over after saying, “Here she is.”
“Frankie?” a male voice says.
“Ronan.” My throat is so tight it’s impossible to swallow. I’ve not spoken to him in nearly two months and so much has happened. “Are you alright? What happened with Sofia? Where did she-”
“We don’t have long. Can you slip away from your watchdog this afternoon? Tell him you want to go to Central Park and-”
“I can’t do that, Ronan. I have plans with Carlo’s sisters to get ice cream later.”
“Fine. Where are you going for ice cream with the brats?” he asks, impatiently.
“Ronan, they’re always guarded out in public and so am I. There’s no way I can safely meet you. Please, don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Where is Sofia?”
“I don’t know where she is. She didn’t meet me in that alley.”
My heart thunders with fresh terror having it confirmed. Our plan fell apart. I have no idea where my cousin is. What if someone terrible has captured her? “You need to find her and-”
“Fuck that, Frankie.You’remy sister. I know he forced you to marry him. Vows made under duress don’t count.”
“Please don't do anything stupid, Ronan. It would kill me and Mom if you got hurt." I start to panic, knowing Luca will walk in here any second. "I need to go,” I tell him, trying to push the phone toward Maeve.
“I’m your blood, Francesca. I won’t let you and Mom down. Don’t forget it.”
“I think she already has,” Maeve says as she takes the phone from my hand and ends the call. She gives me a venomous glare. “Ronan means to come for you. He may die trying. Do you appreciate that at all?”
“I don't want him to risk his life for me.”
“He spent two years hiding under a rock while you were living the high life in Nevada. He had to build himself back into someone the BRG would even talk to, let alone work with and help. And what do you do when he reaches out? Send him on a fool’s errand for some stuck-up mafia bitch.”
“She’s our cousin.”
“Even now, you’re clinging to one of the bastards that wanted your brother’s blood. You must’ve inherited your sense of loyalty from your father, Frankie Donnelly. The girl I knew was better than this,” she finishes before stalking away.
***
Maeve’s words had wounded me deeply, and the entire encounter left me rattled. In hindsight, the plan to help Sofia run during my audition wasn’t the best, and I had twisted Ronan’s arm to agree. It all blew up in my face anyway. It led to Rocco attacking me and my uncle threatening me until Alessio was forced to kill his own father. It led to my marriage, too.
