“Father.”
“We need to discuss the wedding timeline.” No greeting. No pleasantries. Cicero doesn’t waste time on social niceties, one of the few traits we share. “A week has passed. Twenty-three days remain.”
“I’m aware of the timeline.”
“Are you? Because I’m hearing things that concern me.”
Of course you are.The old man has cameras everywhere. Eyes everywhere. Probably knows exactly what happened in the courtyard.
“What things?”
“That you’re distracted.” His voice is pleasant. Warm. The tone he uses right before he guts someone. “That the American girl is becoming... problematic.”
“She’s not problematic.”
“Then what is she?”
Mine.The word rises unbidden. I don’t say it.
“A project.”
Cicero’s laugh is soft. Knowing. “A project. Is that what you’re calling it?” Pause. “Careful, Elio. Don’t mistake obsession for necessity. Pussy is replaceable. Political alliances are not.”
My jaw tightens. “The Rossi alliance will be maintained.”
“Through marriage.”
“I’ll find another way if it comes to that.”
Silence. The dangerous kind.
“You’re thinking with your cock, not your head,boy.” His voice hardens. “That’s how men die. Handle your obsession. Marry Gabriella. Or I’ll handle it for you.”
The line goes dead.
I stare at the phone.
Or I’ll handle it for you.
The threat is clear. Indirect enough to be deniable, clear enough to land.
Rage slides through me. Cold. Calculating.
Cicero doesn’t understand. This isn’t an obsession I need to handle. This isn’t distraction or sentiment or thinking with my cock.
This is something I’m keeping.
And if my father threatens her again, directly or otherwise, I’ll show him exactly how his lessons took root.
I giveViolet space for the rest of the day.
Don’t go to her room. Don’t demand her presence at lunch.
Just watch the monitors while I work. While I plan. While Valente sends preliminary reports on Rossi weaknesses and I start to see the shape of my escape route.
I’m giving her time to think. To come to terms with what happened. That’s all.
Meanwhile, I’ve come four more times. Eight total since last night. Just to take the edge off. Just so I can function without going to her room and finishing what we started.
