“I’m supposed to keep you safe,” he says.“And I’m gonna do that any way I see fit.”
That sounds like a promise and a threat at the same time.But he’s finally looked away, releasing me from the searing grip his eyes had on me.I squeeze past him and walk back to the apartment, not saying anything back.
What can I say?I don’t even know what to think.And I’ve already said too much and none of it made the shadows clinging to him any lighter.If anything, it made them darker.
Figures that the first guy I was actually attracted to would hate me.Because I can’t have a man, in love or otherwise.Clearly my curse always takes care of that.One way or another.
Chapter13
MATTEO
A servant?She called meher servant?I’ll fucking show hera servant…
I’ve been fuming since she said it, unable to stand still.But even when I moved, pacing up and down the dark hallway, the rage was crawling just under my skin like a billion fire ants, biting as they went.
“Go home, you’re done,” Rafaelle said eventually, the first thing he’d said to me since this morning, when he introduced me to the women.
I hated getting the command, but didn’t hesitate.I just got in the elevator and ran out of the building as soon as I cleared it.Running away from my problems as if I can outrun them.I didn’t stop until I was well into Central Park, in the darkness, surrounded by tall trees and grass-covered mounds that stood black all around me like ancient graveyards.I ran until my lungs were burning and my legs were cramping.I ran until I couldn’t anymore.And still Goldie’s face was front and center before me, her voice crystal clear, the wordservantthe loudest.
And from it unfolded my future, this one just as bleak and dead-end as the one I just escaped not forty-eight hours ago.In ruin born, by ruin torn.Whoever cursed my family did a very good job.
But I must leave all that behind me.
I won’t be defined by the past anymore.Or cursed.Or a slave to the ruin that’s always breathing down my neck.
And I certainly won’t be anyone’s servant.Least of all Gianna Codelli’s.She will not bring me to my knees.
It will be the other way around.
Chapter14
GIANNA
Chiara hadto get stitches and spent almost all night in the Emergency Room.She has been moping all day.Complaining about the pain, complaining about our parents, the way we’re stuck inside, not even able to go out whenever we want, much less going out by ourselves and doing whatever.She’s been complaining about Lidia a lot too, and to say I’m fed up with the endless negativity is the understatement of the century.
On top of it, Matteo hasn’t been in to work yet.
I keep going over to the front door and checking through the peephole to see who’s out there guarding our door.I’ve been careful not to be seen by Chiara because in the mood she’s in, it won’t be pleasant if she starts questioning me about why I keep looking out the door.
Not that I even know what I’d do if I saw Matteo out there.Maybe apologize.Maybe just let him look at me with that burning gaze of his that warms me better than the sun.
I’ve dressed and applied makeup, the dewy, everyday kind that’s supposed to look like I’m not wearing any, but actually took almost an hour to apply.Good thing our mother raised us to always be presentable, from the time we get up in the morning to the moment we go to sleep.Else I’d probably have to fend off a bunch of annoying questions from Chiara about why I’m dressed to go out.I already had to answer some about my pale peach silk blouse and white pants, and the pearls I paired it with.Silk isn’t the best for lounging in, Chiara reminded me.It gets wrinkled and ruined too quickly.But I told her I’m wearing it because it feels so good against my skin, and she let it go at that.
The sun is setting, the sky a gorgeous mixture of gold and orange.Another day that I watched pass by from my high tower.Another day where all I did was bicker with my sisters and daydream about being free.
When I was younger, I’d compare my life to that of the queen or her ladies-in-waiting back in the Middle Ages.The way they’d all sit around all day, dressed in their finest, reading, sewing pretty things, doing each other’s hair, talking, and laughing.Now I’m sure that kind of life must’ve gotten old real fast even for them.It did for me, especially once I realized I’d never be a queen and would always want to be.
“Let’s go out for a walk or something,” I suggest, really wanting to feel the last rays of the sun on my skin before night falls yet again and all I’ve done all day is precisely nothing.
Lidia looks up from her book, the expression on her face saying it all.Chiara lifts up her bandaged hand, the other occupied with scrolling on her phone.Neither of them says anything, but I already know the answer to my question is a big fat no.
“Fine, I’ll go on my own,” I say and get off the sofa, checking my reflection in the hall mirror.My makeup is still intact, and my silk blouse is only a little wrinkled.I’m good to go.I just hope Rafaelle or whoever is on the door won’t be too difficult to persuade to come with me.They’re not supposed to tell us no when we want to go somewhere, but they have their sneaky little ways of doing it anyway.Well, not tonight…
“Laterz, sisters,” I call out and open the front door wide without checking through the peephole first.
And come face to face with the man I’ve been wanting to see all day.Matteo and his sun fire filled eyes, bright enough to shine in any kind of darkness.
“Hi…” I stammer and actually smile.But it disintegrates just as quickly as it came under the black scowl on his face.In this moment, I have no idea how I ever found him attractive in the first place, while at the same time, my whole body is tingling to get even closer to him.
