"I do, but not until you're ready." He glances at my abdomen as if I might already be carrying his child. "Are you on the pill? My men didn't find anything when they collected your things."
My mouth falls open as outrage surges through me. Damiano's tone is so matter-of-fact. He doesn't even realize what a violation of my privacy that was.
"Violetta?" he prompts.
"I get an injection," I say through gritted teeth.
Damiano watches me carefully. "I know I'm asking you to accept a great deal."
"Do you expect a medal for that?" I snipe. When he doesn't react, I let out a dramatic sigh. "And if I don't agree to this?"
"Well, Lorenzo will use other means to force your grandfather to sell the land." He pauses to let me feel the weight of the threat. Though I don't know my grandfather, he is my flesh and blood and I don't want to be responsible for harm coming to him. "And you will return to the cell in the basement until you see sense."
I shake my head. "You can't possibly want me that much."
"Oh, but I do, Violetta." He reaches across the table and curves his hand around my cheek. "Now I've had a taste, I want more."
For a moment, as he stares into my eyes, it's as if everything else fades away. We're the only two people who exist. Then he pulls his hand away, leaving me bereft of his touch.
"So, what do you say? Will you accept our marriage or face the consequences?"
FOURTEEN
Damiano
Violetta could teachclasses on stalling for time, she's so good at it. She not only fails to answer my question, she also doesn't utter a single word to me throughout dinner.
First she focuses on her pasta like it's the most interesting thing she's ever eaten. Then, when Lina serves lamb with anchovies, she gives that dish the same exaggerated concentration.
It's the same with dessert. The simple lemon tart becomes the most fascinating thing in the room. The only times she talks are when Lina enters the room. She may not want to speak to me, but she remembers her manners around my housekeeper.
It's almost amusing that she's the one who insisted on talking, only to turn around a minute later and take a vow of silence. But I'm not in a laughing mood and I've been patient long enough.
"So," I say when she finally sets her pastry fork down. "Are you ready to answer my question?"
"Huh?"
Is she for real?She's going to pretend she doesn't remember what I asked her.
"Will you accept the marriage, Violetta?"
She glances over her shoulder as if looking for something and my fists clench.
"I must find Lina." She gets to her feet. "I need to compliment her on the meal."
"Violetta." My voice may be controlled, but her antics have me itching to bend her over the table and fuck some sense into her. "Sit down."
She hesitates for a moment and then sinks onto her seat. Though defiant, she isn't stupid. I see the calculation in her eyes as she carefully considers every move she makes.
Going back to the basement is the last thing she wants, but submitting to my will is equally unappealing to her. She's walking a tightrope, trying to find her balance. That's good. After she let Gianotti escape, I worried she was driven entirely by emotion. From what I've seen since she's been in my custody, she's not as impulsive as I first thought.
"What?" she snarks as she looks over to find me studying her closely.
"I've warned you about that tone, Violetta." As much as I enjoy her feistiness, I will not tolerate disrespect. "And I want an answer to my question."
She pushes her full red lips out in a final display of petulance before finally nodding.
"I want to hear it." Nothing less than her full, unambiguous agreement will do.
