Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I look at Vittoria, who will not like what I have to tell her. Bastian should be here for it, but he knows what needs to happen, given his supposed commitment to our goal and my lack thereof which is bullshit. “Why don’t you go take a nap too. I need to be in Naples.”
She doesn’t move. She is as obstinate as my brother. Maybe that’s what they have in common.
What I see when I look at her is the woman from this afternoon. Sitting on the side of the pool, breasts displayed, bikini pulled aside to expose her pussy to my brother, to offer it to him. A thing he took with greed.
“Why did you share me with him?”
“Like I have always told you, Dandelion, you belong to us both. And I don’t think you minded. Considering how you came, that is.”
“He hates me.”
“He carries guilt. He thinks he’s betraying our family by wanting you. And I can assure you, he does want you. But I can’t talk about this now. I need to think. Go upstairs and pack.”
“Pack?”
“We’re going to New York.”
“But Emma just got here.”
“Emma won’t be joining us. Your father’s will is going to be read in two days. You and I need to be present.”
“I’m sure we can use Zoom or something.”
“That’s not going to work. Look, I can’t talk about this right now. Just go pack, Vittoria. It’ll be a short trip. A few nights at most. Emma will be looked after.”
“I’m not going to New York, Amadeo. I’m not leaving her. I just got her back.”
“You are. Go upstairs. Now. If I have to take you up, I will lock you in your room until it’s time to leave.”
She folds her arms across her chest and tilts her chin up in stubborn defiance.
If she thinks I’m joking, she’s got another thing coming. “Fucking go.”
“No.”
“For fuck’s sake!”
She must see I’m done because she spins on her heel to go, but I’m faster. She yelps when I grab her arm and walk her out of the library, through the living room, and up the stairs to her bedroom. I call for her guard, and he follows.
“I’ll pack! Let me go.”
“Too late.” I sit her on the still-bare bed, but maybe she’ll learn a lesson because she is still hostile, I remind myself. Wife or not. Truce or not.
“Amadeo, please!” she calls out as I walk to the door.
I turn to face her. “Please, what? I ask you to do one thing, but you can’t fucking do it,” I tell her. “So now you deal with the consequence.”
“What, I’m grounded? What am I, twelve?”
I open my mouth but close it and shake my head. “Don’t push me. Not now.” I open the bedroom door.
“It’s because of Bastian. Of what he said.”
I pause mid-step. How much did she hear?
“Sir?” the soldier asks.
“Don’t let her out until the little girl wakes up. Then you keep an eye on her.”
I glance at Vittoria. She stares daggers at me.
“Or if she gives you any trouble, leave her locked in. Maybe then she’ll learn to do as she’s told.”
I walk away, my mind on what Bastian said. He’s jealous. I sensed it already but thought what happened at the pool would at least be a start to smooth things over, pave the road as this thing with Vittoria develops. But I think Bastian’s struggle is as much with himself as me. Because, like me, things are different where she’s concerned. And he doesn’t like it.
After my meeting with Bruno, I have the paperwork I need for the trip to New York, all forms signed and certified. Once the will is read, the real game begins. As I’m on my way back to the Ravello house, Jarno texts me that they’re headed back too along with a very drunk and very aggressive Bastian who did not want to give up the keys to his car. I’ll deal with my brother. Talk to him. He hasn’t answered my texts or calls, which pisses me off. Maybe he’s right, though. She is coming between us. But he can’t fucking blame me for this one.
The house is quiet when I get back. It’s around ten at night. The soldier standing guard at Vittoria’s door is now standing outside Emma’s bedroom. He straightens when he sees me and tucks his phone into his pocket.
I glance at Vittoria’s bedroom door, which is open, and raise my eyebrows.
“She’s in here.”
“Is she?”
“I didn’t know what to do, and she insisted.” Of course she did.
“It’s fine. I’ll deal with her. Did she give you any trouble?”
“No, sir. She had dinner with the little girl and your mother, and they watched a movie, then she went to bed with the child.”
“All right. I’ll take it from here.”
He walks away, and I open the bedroom door to find the carousel of animals floating over the walls and ceiling as a soft melody plays. Emma is asleep as is Hyacinth. But as soon as Vittoria sees me, she sits up and folds her arms across her chest. Still pissed.