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“She is a soldier’s daughter. You think I don’t know what has been happening here. First, you allow this witch to attack my son-in-law, then you—”
“That son-in-law was beating the living shit out of your daughter.”
“Enough, Alonzo. You know not to interfere with a couple’s marriage.”
“Interfere? You were fucking pissed that Dad organized it. You didn’t want Jessica to marry into the family or to be part of the Adesso. You’ve been sulking since his death because he didn’t grant you that one wish. Don’t you dare come in here and tell me you supported it when you’ve not even seen your grandson.”
“The same grandson that she has been taking care of.”
“Who is the mole in my household?” Alonzo asked.
“Don’t worry. You already fired her. I’ve been paying her to keep a watch on everything.”
Alonzo laughed. “You paid a whore to do a proper job. You should have just asked me. Was that so hard? To call your son and to find out what was going on in the family you left behind. In the family you neglected.”
“I did not neglect you.”
“You certainly didn’t stick around to help it. I’ve been doing the best I can with the fuck-up you and Father created.”
“And you think marrying this girl is going to help that? You cannot marry her. The only person you can marry now is an Acquati. Their oldest daughter. It will cement your future. She’ll give you good sons.”
“I’m not marrying her, Mother.”
“You will.”
“I’m marrying Tessa Brown, and that is final. You want to test me on this, go ahead. I have already started the proceedings.” Alonzo placed a hand on her stomach. “And there may already be a child here.”
His mother gasped. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, believe me I would. You think I didn’t know what was at risk with all of this? I knew, and I was ready to face the consequences. You want to kick me out, take this title from me, be my guest. I’m the only one who knows all the secrets of the Zanetti.” Alonzo kissed her shoulder. “Go and find Jessica. I’m going to deal with my mother.”
Tessa didn’t mind leaving. Arguments were never something she enjoyed being part of.
She found Jessica out in the garden like she did most days with Caesar.
The moment she approached, Jessica smiled. “How are things going with Mother?”
“I think she hates me.”
“Of course she does. She promised me I’d never get married to anyone I couldn’t stand. Dad forced me to marry Benedict, and Mother showed she had no power. Her only true grip was trying to do the same to Alonzo. It would have been her easiest way of getting back at Dad for not listening to her.” Jessica shrugged. “Alonzo can handle her.”
She watched as Jessica blew on Caesar’s stomach. The little boy started to giggle, and she was so happy for the two of them.
Resting her hand on her stomach, she thought about Maria’s reaction to Alonzo’s … threat. It sounded like a threat.
“Can I ask you something?” Tessa asked.
“Of course. I don’t know if I’ll be able to answer it.”
“Alonzo touched my stomach and said to your mother there could be a child here already. She looked mortified. Why?”
Jessica smiled. “My brother is sly. The men in our world, they cannot get anyone pregnant but their wife.”
“There can’t be a guarantee with that, Jessica. No one can.”
“In our world, if a woman who is the mistress or the whore of one of our men and she gets pregnant.” Jessica stopped, and Tessa’s heart pounded. “She’s not allowed to keep it.”
“That can’t be possible.”
“They’re too much of a liability, and they can’t be allowed to have children. Benedict told me that some of the women have their tubes tied to prevent it.”
“That’s awful. What if they want children when that guy decides he doesn’t want her?”
Jessica shrugged. “I don’t think they’re allowed to, you know, have anyone outside of our world. They have to stay part of the families in some way, and so they get passed around.”
“Wow, that is so awful.”
“I know, but that’s the rules and the way they are.”
“I don’t think I could stand to do that.”
“It’s not a good life, Tessa. Are you sure you want to marry my brother?”
“I know I love him.”
“Is that enough?” Jessica asked.
Tessa placed a hand on her stomach. “I don’t know if I’m pregnant or not. I don’t want to get rid of it.”
“I think what you need to realize, Tessa, if you can’t stand this life, I do truly believe Alonzo would walk away. He’d leave all of this behind for you.”
“But this is his world.”
“You mean a lot more to him than a name. I’ve seen my brother with women over the years. Never have I seen him pursue a woman the way he does you. It’s like he doesn’t even see straight. You’re the only one he wants.”
