For a moment, I consider saying something.
Maybe if we could convince Adriano that this marriage is a mistake, he could advocate for her against Alessandro.
But no. Adriano always supports Alessandro. And I've said too much, risked too much already.
As it is, there will be consequences when we get back.
21
VALENTINA
I can feel the tension in the air the moment we step through the front doors.
Our mansion has never felt less like home.
Alessandro waits in his office.
As the youngest sister, I’d have hoped for comfort, maybe even retaliation against Maksim, but that is foolish. They see me as a problem.
I follow Adriano into Alessandro’s office, with Cristian trailing behind us.
I wish I could take his hand and feel his strength, but that’s impossible.
The man who showed me so much tenderness last night is now just my bodyguard again.
"Sit." My oldest brother doesn't look up from the papers on his desk.
I remain standing. Small defiances are all I have left.
Alessandro finally raises his eyes to mine, and I almost flinch.
They are cold, empty of the affection I desperately need.
"Maksim paid me a visit today. He had quite the interesting story to tell."
My mouth goes dry. I force my chin higher.
"A letter." Alessandro holds up a piece of paper, my forged note. "Apparently postponing a wedding that's meant to prevent a war between our families." He studies me, his gaze unrelenting. "Care to explain why you would risk all our lives with this childish stunt?"
I hold his gaze, refusing to show weakness. "Childish? I was buying time."
"Time for what, Valentina?" His voice drops lower, more dangerous. "Time to make things worse? Time to destroy everything we've built? Time to kill us all?”
My heart hammers as I wonder what my punishment will be.
Behind me, I can feel Cristian's presence, but I know he can’t help me.
"Time to find another solution!" I slam my hands on the desk, surprising everyone, including myself, with the force of my anger. "You know as well as I do that marrying me is a temporary solution. He’ll challenge you again, Alessandro. Perhaps when he kills me and waits to see how you’ll react.” I step back. “But you won’t react, will you? He nearly killed me last night, but that doesn’t matter. All you’re worried about is a letter.”
"We are aware of Maksim's actions," Alessandro says. "Measures will be taken?—"
"Measures?" I laugh, wondering when my brother’s affection for me changed. Perhaps it started when he became Don. "What measures,Alessandro? A strongly worded conversation while you still prepare to hand me over to him?"
Adriano steps forward. "Val, you don't understand?—"
"I understand perfectly!" I glare at one and then the other of my brothers. "I understand that my safety means nothing compared to this alliance. I understand that Maksim can try to kidnap and violate me, and your response is to scold me for writing a letter!"
Alessandro rises from his chair, towering over the desk. "You put all of us at risk. The entire family. Our business. Our people."
