He turns to my father. “Control your dog. I expect him to be leashed and this problem to be fixed. The marriage between Rosa and Tommasowillhappen.” His words are laced with warning. “Or do I need to remind you what will happen?”
His threat confirms that my father isn’t willingly going along with this arrangement to merge our two families.
Arturo grips Rosa’s elbow, making her stumble, then pulls her toward the door.
“Daddy, where are we going?” She tries to dig in her heels. “I’m not leaving this house. It’s mine!”
He flashes me a lethal look, then glares at my father. “Fix this,” he seethes, then pulls Rosa out of the sitting room.
We’re silent as she screams her protests until the front door slams.
I don’t look at my father as I storm toward the doorway and go to my wife.
“Stop,” he orders.
“No,Papà,” I grit.
“Tommaso.” His voice is softer. “Please,figlio.”
I turn to him, fisting my hands. “Why did you do it? What does he have over you?”
He looks weary. “You don’t understand what’s at stake here.”
“Then fucking tell me,” I shout, losing control.
He doesn’t admonish; he doesn’t remind me that a strong leader keeps emotions out of it. He just picks up his wineglass off the table and goes to the window, looking out at the storm unleashing outside.
“Tell me,” I say more calmly. “Or else I’m going to see my wife to ensure she’s alright.”
He remains silent with his back to me. I look at Marco, and my brother nods toward the door, telling me to go and that he’ll try to talk to our father.
Fisting my hands, I leave the room, preparing myself to face my wife and reveal all the dirty secrets and hard truths I’ve been keeping from her.
Chapter 33
Gina
I’mshaking.I’vepukedtwice since running to the bedroom.
Tommaso is supposed to marry Rosa. There’s ablood contract.He can’t break that unless blood is paid as the debt.
He lied to me. He made me believe I was his wife...that we renewed our vows so I could remember the first wedding thatnever happened.
I’m so damn stupid and naïve, I didn’t even question it. He had all the pieces perfectly in place for when I regained consciousness. The rings…
Are these rings supposed to be Rosa’s? Did he get this beautiful set made for her?
I stare down at the engagement ring and wedding band on my finger. With tears burning in my eyes, I rip them off and throw them across the room. Etta frets, but I ignore her, covering my face in my hands.
How did Tommaso know I’d wake up with amnesia? I needed to have no memories in order for his plan to work; otherwise, hewould’ve never been able to convince me that we had previously been wed before my accident.
I freeze.
Was what happened to me caused by Tommaso? Did he do this to me? Or maybe he didn’t cause my head trauma but took advantage of it and worked with Reese and Johnathon to give me something to induce amnesia?
Is that even possible?
My head swims. I’ve been so blinded by Tommaso and my burning desire to believe that I was his. His sun.
