My brow furrows in confusion. “Revenge?”
“You didn’t know.Fuck.”He shakes his head before continuing. “His older brother was the man here to negotiate peace. He was the man that killed your mother.”
The blood drains from my face. Nico must see it for he scoots closer, looking worried. The puzzle my life has become clicks into place only for the pieces to be dumped onto the floor again. Nothing makes sense anymore.
And yet it does.
Sil, Jr. was the sadist who visited the brothel. He tortured and killed my mother. His father knew when he learned of my father’s secret and mine. He had collected information about the woman and her daughter because he wanted to know about them, because he lost his heir over her.
“He knew. Silvio said he would help me find her,”I whimper in Italian, wondering how many more betrayals I must endure.“He toyed with me. He didn’t care that I was hurting, that I mourned. He lied and sent me here hoping I would…”
“That you would help him work against me?”Nico prompts.
“He only wanted information."
"Information about my home? My children? Our security arrangements? What do you imagine he would've done with that?"
Tears cloud my vision, and guilt weighs heavily on my heart."He only said he wanted information. Not anything specific. I swear I didn’t want to do it. And he died soon after, so it didn’t matter.”
My hands grip the corner of the loveseat with my world imploding all over again.
Until Nico wraps me up in a hug, dragging me into his lap and murmuring in my hair,“Tesoro mio,please don’t cry. I'm not holding it against you. He’s dead. His son is dead. They can’t hurt you ever again, and you found your sister.”
I exhale heavily as the truth tempers my sadness. Drawing back to stare at him, I rest my hands on his broad shoulders, feeling secure in his embrace. “It was you who killed him, Nico. Gia and Sofia told me how you killed Sil, Jr. before Caterina was promised to Alessio. You… you avenged my mother.”
His lips are pressed tightly together when he nods uncomfortably. He is not pleased by my words. I suppose because of what it meant for Caterina. His little sister was promised to a family that would be his enemy because of his act. My mother was nothing but an employee. Like me. So why did he do it?
He carefully removes me from his lap and stands. “There are other things we should discuss tonight.”
“Yes. What did you mean when you mentioned marrying me earlier?”I don’t have to like you to marry you.What did he mean by that?
“Saturday night after your graduation ceremony, we’re getting married.” He said it as easily as one declares it’s raining.
“You don't want to marry me!”
“And you don't want to marry me, but it will be the best option for all four of you.”
“All four?”
“You, your sister and my children. Allow me to explain…”
Dumbstruck, I nod. Speaking Italian again, Nico tells me what a good thing this will be – a marriage of convenience.
“I will protect you and your sister. You can remain in the States this way, close to her. And my children need a mother. There’s no woman I would consider above you for that role, Matilde. They love you and you love them, don’t you?”
“Of course, I do. But…”
“Maddalena may live with us. Anything you girls wish to pursue in terms of education, hobbies or interests, as long as I can keep you all safe, I will allow. Anything that money can buy will be yours. I will give you wealth, comfort, protection, anything your heart desires.”
“Does that include love?” I ask, wondering why the answer matters to me.
He paces back and forth, glancing at the sleeping twins. “Love is not a requirement. Not in our world. But you will be safe, they will have a mother. Can’t that be enough?”
Swallowing my childish disappointment, I stand, holding out my hand. He scowls before shaking it.“Bene.I will marry you for the reasons you have given,” I declare with our hands still clasped. “I assume our marriage will not require sleeping together if it is just a matter of-”
Moving so fast I squeak, Nico drags me against his chest, his hot breath against my cheek sending shivers all through me when he murmurs, “Oh no, honey. I’m notthathonorable. I’m going to bed you. There’s no way I could resist.”
22
