“Giovanna!” My father gasped and whipped out a handkerchief from his coat pocket to blot the perspiration on his forehead. He wasn’t afraid of the Remottis, per se. He just sweated a lot. “I will beat you at home.”
Alessio raised his hand, making my father stop. “You will do no such thing.”
“She shouldn’t disrespect you and should be punished.”
Great, my father was on Alessio’s side.
“I agree.” He tilted his head and considered me. “But if anyone beats her, it will be me.”
I gulped thickly.Nice job, Gia.
It had always been difficult for me to keep my thoughts to myself. It drove my mother crazy and my father to punish me. But I never regretted speaking my mind.
“But if she apologizes, I may forgive her,” Alessio said in a taunting tone.
“She will. Giovanna, ask for forgiveness,” my father demanded. “Repent.”
I stared at Alessio for a long second. “What do you care if I speak four languages? I’m only here to end the war between our families and give you sons.”
“That didn’t sound like an apology.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “Is she always this disobedient?”
“No,” my father replied immediately. “I don’t know what’s gotten into her. But a good beating should straighten her out.”
“Or a good fucking,” Alessio whispered so low that I was certain neither of our fathers had heard him. No question he was trying to get a reaction out of me. Of course, I didn’t so much as blink.
But what in the world was wrong with this man? I was stunned. Literally stunned by his bravado in front of our fathers.
“You wish,” I replied in an equally low tone. “You repulse me.”
“Ditto, Principessa.” His hand glided down my bar arm as an equestrian would do to their horse before taking it out for a ride. “She’s very thin.”
“She has a small appetite,” my father said as if embarrassed. “But gaining weight is an easy fix.”
Easy fix? How dare my father talk about me as if there was something wrong with my petite size. I was more than a little offended. My whole life I’d been teased about being small like it was my fault. The last thing I needed was for my father and future husband to gang up on me and mercilessly tease me like my former classmates used to do.
Next, Alessio clutched my hips in his hands. “Are you sure she’s fertile?” His hands went to my breasts and cupped them. “Where are they?”
“You vile man! You insult and violate me so casually!” I stepped back and crossed my arms over my chest. “No wonder our families have been feuding for decades!”
“But… Did I violate you?” he asked in an antagonizing tone.
“If you don’t know, then you’re not an intelligent man.” I turned toward my father. “I’m done. Let’s go home.”
“Jesus, Giovanna,” Papà replied through gritted teeth. But Alessio’s father remained silent and let his son deal with me alone. “We’re not leaving unless Mr. Remotti doesn’t want to marry you.”
I gaped, jaw hitting the floor.
“I will never forgive you for this,” I told my father as tears blurred my vision. Instantly, my fight or flight kicked in. “Reject me now so we can end this farce of a meeting.”
Alessio stared into my eyes. “No.”
“No?” I was utterly baffled. “Clearly, we aren’t a good match.”
“How do you know?”
I laughed mockingly. “Are you really asking me that?”
“Did I stutter?” He threw my own words in my face.
