"You act like you are a prisoner, sneaking out." He is being kind, but I can hear the undercurrent in his voice. He’s not happy "No family breakfasts or dinner. No walks in the garden. No outings." His smile is predatory. The panther showing me his power. "One would think my nephew is keeping you prisoner."
Ah, there it is.
It’s not me he’s irritated with.
It’s Saint.
I contemplate playing into that but decide against it. I trust Antonio less than Saint. After all, he’s the reason I’m here, and as shitty as Saint is, I can’t deny that he was a pawn as well.
"I'm adjusting,” I give him a small smile.
"Adjusting." He repeats the word like he's tasting it. "I am aware that you were not pleased about this marriage, but your brother assured me?—"
My jaw tightens in anger. "My brother doesn't speak for me.”
Antonio leans back, studying me. I expect him to scold me, remind me he's in charge, and that my brother is head of my family. My mother would have. She would have reminded me that I only have so much autonomy.
Instead, Antonio gives me a warm smile, which somehow makes me feel more nervous. I don’t know how to understand him.
"Did you know I was illegitimate?" Antonio asks.
My mouth drops, and he chuckles. "I suppose you didn't," he says. "Not polite conversation."
"It's also the twenty-first century,” I remind him. "Does anyone care anymore?"
This makes him laugh. "You and I both know the families are steeped in tradition." He closes his eyes, and I can see pain there. "I was born from my father's mistress. My brother, Saint's father, was born to my father's third wife. He was set to inherit."
I stay quiet, though I'm dying to ask questions.
"When he and his wife died, Saint was just a boy. Ten, barely out of nappies."
I bite back a remark. Ten is hardly a child, but sure.
"I took over the family. Something I never wanted. I saw what it looked like to have to make hard choices, and well..." He trails off. "I did not want to be responsible for such things." Antonio smiles sadly. "Now, I've been in charge longer than anyone ever imagined."
I don't know what to say to that, so I say nothing.
"I didn't want it," he continues. "The responsibility. The violence. The weight of all those lives depending on my decisions. But I did it anyway. Because family is everything."
"Is this supposed to make me feel better about what you are asking of me?" The words slip out before I can stop them.
He smiles, but it's sad. "No. I suppose not. But I wanted you to understand why your mother and I made this match."
"My mother wanted power for Adrian, and for me to be out of her hair."
Antonio's brow furrows. He disagrees, but he doesn't say it.
"And my brother wants to be tied to you and Saint through blood." I can understand Adrian's desire, even though I hate him for it. "This alliance protects his son."
Antonio nods. His lips harden, and I can see the mafia Don under his fatherly persona. "The Morozovs want war. The Neros need allies. And I need an heir to ensure my family's legacy continues. This marriage benefits us all."
"Except me and Saint." As much as it pains me to admit, he's also a victim in this. "He didn't want a wife, and he definitely doesn't want a child."
"Saint fancies himself a weapon, but he's an heir, a prince. He will do his duty."
"And this is you telling me it's time to do mine?" I turn back to the window, not in the mood. "Was there something specific you needed from me?" Other than what he's already taken?
"Yes." He stands. "Dinner. Tonight. Seven o'clock. I expect both you and Saint to join me."
