“Yes, actually. I’m the eldest, which is why my father sent me here to be the Pontrelli don. But that means my younger brother will step into our father’s role one day. Romeo’s only a year younger than me and we’ve always been close. Then there’s Santo. He’s three years younger.”
“So just two younger brothers?”
“Yeah.” I try to keep the darkness out of my tone and fail. “We once had a sister. Julianna passed away six years ago.”
“I’m so sorry.” Elena’s hand reaches out and covers mine. The unexpected contact takes me by surprise, even as I revel in it. “I had an older brother. Matteo. We lost him several years ago.”
I nod in sympathy. I know enough about that horrible year she lived when she was not only taken captive but lost her older brother and both parents in a span of a few short weeks. That’s when she relocated to Italy to escape it all.
To change the topic of our conversation, I retrieve the black AMEX card from my suit pocket and slide it toward her. “I thought you should have this. Just know that if you purchase plane tickets, or any other means of transportation, I’ll immediately be alerted.”
She stares at me, her expression hard. “I don’t want your money.”
“Soon, once you’re my wife, it will beourmoney. Take the card, Elena.”
Her chin tilts at that stubborn angle. She gives a subtle shake of her head. “I have my own money. If you’ll just unfreeze my bank account, then I won’t need anything from you.”
“Therein lies the problem,bella, I want you to rely on me. Spend my money. Take every penny of it if that will make you happy.”
“No.” She sips her wine, glancing away.
“Elena,” I infuse my tone with warning. To my mind, this is non-negotiable. She needs money to go about her daily activities. “Don’t be unreasonably stubborn. Take. The. Card.”
We stare at each other for at least ten seconds. Neither of us blink. We’re caught up in a true battle of wills. Staring her down, my pulse thrums steadily. No matter what, I refuse to back down.
With a huff, she snatches the card from the table. A triumphant grin tugs at my lips and I let it blossom. She scowls at my expression.
“I won’t spend a single dime of your money.” She purses her lips.
My humor drops away. “If there’s not a sizable charge on there by this time tomorrow, I will drag you out of the apartment and we will go shopping.Together. Where you will buy everything in every store we walk into. No exceptions.”
My threat hangs in the air between us.
Her scowl deepens. “I hate you.”
“I know.” My chest warms because if she means it the same way the heroine does in her book… then she really doesn’t hate me at all. I may be her villain, but I’m also the man she desires.
We’re perfect together. All she has to do is admit the truth to herself.
CHAPTER 23
Elena
This morning Maximo has a call with his consigliere, Julius, a man I don’t know as well as Lazaro, and they discuss all kinds of business as he moves about the kitchen. Lounging on the sofa, I feel so unlike myself as I allow my cell to record their conversation word for word. Later I’ll text it using the burner phone over to Mrs. Rizzo. I’m no spy. I’m not a backstabber. Yet that’s exactly what I’m doing to Maximo right now.
I have to keep reminding myself that he cut off my income, froze my bank account, and has basically crippled me. All in an attempt to cage me, to tie me to him forever. And he thinks his scheme is fool proof. He has no idea I’m busily saving myself, working on an exit strategy.
What kind of man forces a woman into this position? Into marriage? Without giving her a choice in the matter?
He deserves to have every one of his secrets sent to a woman who I don’t know if she’s friend or foe. What will she do with this information? It doesn’t matter because I won’t be here to find out.
My cell chirps with a new text message. Startled, I immediately end the voice recording and save it for later.
Sophia:
See you this afternoon for the baby shower!
Elena:
