Where did my life go so wrong?
Maximo says it’s only for political reasons. Then he claims to love me.
My face is permanently etched into his skin.
He stole everything from me to trap me into marriage.
I groan. Can he be any more confusing?
My own jumbled feelings rattle inside my chest. When I’m with him, I feel protected and strangely cherished. Yet he’s the man I should need protection from, isn’t he? How is it that my guardian turned into my captor? I don’t have any answers.
Would it be so bad to marry him?Yes.
Do I have any other choice?No.
So, that’s that. My heart sinks.
Save yourself now, Elena, because that was a genius idea from the start. I roll my eyes at myself.
The door to the bridal suite opens and Ravenna peeks her head inside. “Are you alone?”
“I am.” Turning away from the mirror, I face her as she enters.
Hands resting on her swollen stomach, she eases herself into a chair. “You can’t do this, Elle.”
My brow furrows. “What are you talking about?”
“This wedding.” She keeps her voice low. “You can’t go through with it.”
“I don’t?—”
“You do have a choice.” She sighs. “I’ve been trying to figure out why you won’t accept any help, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s guilt that drives you. Why are you playing the martyr? Is it because of how I always took the brunt of Papa’s punishments? Or that you were unaware of how bad it was for so long? Or what our brother did to me?”
I glance down, unable to meet her gaze. At first, I want to deny everything she’s said, but now that I think about it, she may be right. Maybe Iampunishing myself. Perhaps I don’t think I deserve happiness, or freedom, or to escape what my sister never could. She endured so much. While I got off easy. I was the favorite daughter, everyone knew it, but I didn’t realize how much Ravenna suffered because of it.
“I just don’t want to trouble you with?—”
“With what? With caring about what happens to you?” She tosses up her hands. “You’re my sister. My twin! I love you and I won’t let you hurt yourself. I’m this close to dragging you out of here. You’ll come stay with me and Cian. I’ll have my husband start a war with Maximo if that’s what it takes to keep you safe.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “Don’t. I can’t stomach any more bloodshed caused by me. I’ll be fine. I promise. Maximo isn’t that bad.”
She scoffs, shaking her head in disappointment. “You’re just as bull-headed as I am.”
Standing, she grabs a folded wad of hundred dollar bills and shoves it down the back of my dress, letting the tight bodice hold it in place.
“Just in case you decide to run.” Her grey eyes drill into mine. “I’ll miss you, but you need to do what’s best for yourself.”
Then she’s gone. Leaving me to drown in my thoughts as each second ticks closer to noon. I have to make a decision. Stay and face my life as Maximo’s wife? Or run, chasing the freedom I’ve always wanted? California didn’t pan out, but maybe Italy will feel like home.
CHAPTER 27
Maximo
“I’m happy to see this day, my son. I hope this woman makes you very happy now that you’ll finally have her as your wife.” My father claps me on the back before taking his seat in the front row beside Mama and my two brothers, Romeo and Santo. Romeo gives me a curt nod, while Santo waggles his eyebrows suggestively. I ignore them both. At the best of times they’re both a distraction in their own way. I don’t have time for that today.
I swallow down the thickness in my throat. Papa knows all about my yearning for Elena, he understands the significance of today, my wedding day. Above and beyond solidifying my new position here in America, and more than the sanctity of this event in the eyes of man and God, but that taking Elena as my wife will complete me. She’s my other half. I’ve felt it in my soul for years.
I want her.
