‘So you can marry me off?’
Sofiya’s eyes widened.
Bona’s breath hissed in fury. ‘Is that what this is about? You heard a rumour?—’
‘A rumour? Or a fact?’
‘Do not interrupt me, child.’
‘I’m not a child, Nonno. I’m a grown woman.’
He scoffed. ‘Are you sure? Because with the way you’ve been behaving lately it’s debatable.’
‘What way? I thought I was meant to be spying for you? Collecting information so we can beat our enemy?’
‘And have you done any of that? Or merely indulged in other wayward activities?’
Sofiya winced.
‘I’ve learned a few things, yes. But you didn’t answer my question. Do you intend to marry me off to some stranger?’
He fell silent but his fury surged like a rogue wave. Had I been in his presence, I would be on the floor by now, reeling from a backhand. Or worse.
‘This impertinence will not go unpunished. You know that, don’t you?’
Even though I knew after what I’d let slip to Cesare there was no chance of going home anyway, my heart still cracked. ‘I know. Which is why I’m taking more time for myself. I’ll come home when I’m ready. Goodbye, Nonno.’
Sofiya was frowning when she took her phone back. ‘What the fuck’s going on, sis?’
Since I couldn’t tellherI’d slept-walked and spilled my guts to Cesare, I chose to answer her earlier question.
‘You were asking what I was thinking?’ I smiled sadly. ‘I was thinking I wanted to live life on my terms. For once. Wasn’t that what you advocated? For me to get some colour in my cheeks?’
A sliver of distress slipped through her expression before she sighed. ‘Yes. But will it be worth it in the long run?’
There was a seeking in that question. Even a hope? I smiled. ‘I hope you find out, Sof. Maybe not in this exact way but… yeah.’
She nodded. Strode across the room and covered me in a long, tight hug.
I was fighting tears when she left as silently as she’d arrived. Still holding back sobs when Cesare rushed in, his eyes darting around the room for the long-gone threat.
‘What did she want?’
‘To deliver a message from Bonafacio. Come home. All will be forgiven.’
He rushed across and yanked me into his arms. As if my uttering the words would magically whisk me away from him. ‘Bullshit.’
I nodded against his chest. ‘I know.’
He pulled away to peer into my eyes. ‘You’re not thinking of going, are you? Because you’re fucking forbidden.’
My smile touched the sides of my soul, then dropped away. ‘I know.’
Unease flitted across his face. He shook me gently. ‘You’re scaring me a little,bedda. What are you thinking?’
‘I spoke to him. Told him I won’t be coming home yet. But… I think we’re out of time. And I’m scared,’ I whispered.
A feral sound left his throat and my arms wrapped tighter around his waist as we held each other. ‘You belong to me, Maddelena. No one else gets to have you, you hear me?’
