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I furrow my brows at the sound of those words. It's strange that Father wouldn't approve the engagement right away…the whole thing was his idea, after all. But I don't mention any of this to Nicoletta, preferring to sweep all our family secrets under the rug.
"Are you going to ask me officially?" Nicoletta blurts, blushing when I look at her. "Is that why you're here? To propose?"
"No," I admit, expecting her to look crushed. To my surprise, though, my bride-to-be looks almost... relieved.
"Then why are you here?"
"I needed to get away from someone."
"A woman?" She seems genuinely interested.
I know I shouldn't be confiding in her and yet, I find myself eager to tell her every last, sordid detail. "Yes." I finally nod.
"The one who gave you the ring?"
"Si."
"Are you in love with her?" Nicoletta asks, not looking too bothered by my reluctance to answer.
"Let's not go there," I mutter, dodging the question. "What about you? Have you been in love before?"
"Maybe," she says, nodding. "Yes, definitely. But let's not go there."
We share a companionable smile. Something tells me my bride is about as eager to marry, as I am—not at all.
"But if you agree, I'd like to keep this game of ours going," I go on. "Let's pretend I asked you already while we figure out what to do, okay?"
"Yes." She nods. "That's a good idea."
"Perfect. Let's head back to the house."
For the rest of the day, we share secret glances that her father must mistake for love struck antics… they're anything but. I see Nicoletta at dinner again along with my brother Ryder who's unusually short with me. I pay it no mind, paying my respects by staying for dinner before I set off back home.
"I hope your visit has been enjoyable," Gustavo tells me with a wide grin. "I know Nicoletta has enjoyed having you here."
"Of course." I nod politely. "I'll be heading back home after dinner."
"Nonsense." My future father in law shakes his hand in dismissal of my words. "You will be spending the night. It's the least I can do as a good host."
Before I can speak up, the man goes on, "I also have a surprise for you, Adrian."
"Oh?" My brows shoot up. What the fuck is it now? More complications? I barely just got Marzia out of my mind. I hope Gustavo hasn't found out about her...
"I'm sending Nicoletta back with you tomorrow." Gustavo smiles proudly. "She will spend the two months before your wedding with you."
My jaw fucking drops then I glance at Nicoletta.
She looks as crestfallen as I am. Chuckling nervously, she says, "Papa, you didn't tell me anything about this."
"I knew you'd be thrilled," Gustavo says, sounding proud of himself.
The man's utterly fucking clueless. He has no clue his happy couple wants different things. Or rather, different people.
"Papa, but I-I have things to do here. I'm not ready to say goodbye." Nicoletta's bottom lip wobbles.
Something tells me those puppy eyes she's throwing at her father have worked for her before.
"You will have to say goodbye tonight," Gustavo says with finality.
"What about my things?" Nicoletta insists, glaring at him. "My kittens, my books... I haven't packed up anything..."
"I'm sure your husband will supply a new wardrobe." Gustavo smirks. "As for the kittens... They don't belong in a house like this. We'll have to get rid of them."
"What?" Placing her hands on the table, Nicoletta shoots up. "Papa, please, let me keep one—"
"They can go to the maids." Gustavo waves his hand. "It doesn't matter. You're leaving with Adrian tomorrow."
I'm shocked by his sudden cruelty. It makes me wonder whether he's always shown such a hot and cold attitude toward his daughter. It must've fucked her up.
Nicoletta storms out of the room.
Gustavo continues to calmly drink his grappa and my brother sits there with his fists clenched.
"Ah," Gustavo mutters, setting his glass down. "Da Costa grappa. My fucking favorite. Have you heard what happened to them?"
I glance at Ryder. How much should I reveal?
My brother gives me a barely perceptible nod.
Gustavo grabs my arm and offers me a glass of grappa to toast with. "Think it's a damn shame about all those people," Gustavo says. "But especially about the girl. They said she's gone. Disappeared. She was a sexy one, that Marzia."
My mouth sets in a thin line. Is he fucking playing me, making guesses? I force myself to keep my lips pressed together. I can't reveal Marzia is my prisoner, much less tell this man I'm going to slit his fucking throat if he doesn't stop talking shit about my woman.
"If I ever got my hands off her, she'd never be as pretty." He smirks. "I like leaving little mementos. Something to remember me by."
My vision darkens.
Ryder stands up and claps a hand on my back. "Well, I think it's about time we took a walk, brother. I need to speak to you before you leave tomorrow."
