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“I’m fine,” Theo repeats.
“Very well then. Holly, how long have you been in New York?” Father Thomas asks me.
“Ah, a little over a week,” I answer quietly. Why do I feel so judged by everyone in this house?
“And how long have you known Theo here?”
“A little over a week,” I answer.
Father Thomas looks between Theo and me for a moment. “Well, perhaps when the time comes, you’ll allow me the pleasure of marrying you,” he offers.
I choke on the water I was sipping, spitting it out all over the table. I can feel my face heating up.
“Holly, breathe. You’re okay.” Theo rubs my back. “I’m glad the thought of marrying me incites such a reaction,” he says sarcastically. His eyes look hurt though. Does he think I wouldn’t want to marry him?
“I was caught off guard—that’s all. If you were to actually ask, the answer would probably be yes.”
“Probably, huh? I like my chances. I’ll keep that in mind.” Theo kisses my forehead, then leans in and whispers, “I’m not letting you go. Married or not, Holly, you’re mine. Forever.”
“Good, because I have a no returns or refunds policy.” This actually gets a smile out of him, a genuine smile.
“Theo, I thought I told you to take out the trash.” His mother sits at the table in an elegant black gown.
Theo slams his hand down and stands up. “Cut the shit, Ma. I won’t allow you to disrespect Holly. You can either get on board, accept her, and show her the respect she fucking deserves. Or we can cut ties now.”
I gasp at Theo’s sharp words. He’s not seriously threatening to cut ties with his own mother, just because she doesn’t like me? Surely not. I reach up and grab his arm, pulling him back down into his seat. “Theo, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay, Holly. No one will disrespect you in this family.”
“Seriously, Theo, you’re acting like a petulant child. It’s beneath you, just like your choice of company. Don’t worry, your fiancée should be here soon. I’ve sent a car to collect her.”
“You did what?” Theo yells.
“I sent a car for Lana.Your fiancée.” His mother smirks at me, as if I’m unaware of his prior arrangement.
“Lana is not welcome in this house. She’s also not now—and never has been—my fucking fiancée. That whole bullshit Pops tried to pull, it’s over with. The only woman I’ll ever marry is sitting right next to me, so start showing your next queen the fucking respect she deserves.”
“Queen,please. She’s not even Italian, Theo. She won’t be accepted by anyone.”
Okay, I’ve been working really hard to fight the tears that are pooling in my eyes. I don’t like to cry in front of people. I try to save that for when I’m alone. I’m looking around the room for an escape when Theo’s hand grips mine. Like an anchor, he’s holding me still.
“I’m really sorry for your loss, Mrs. Valentino. I understand I may not be your first choice for your son. But I do love him, more than I ever thought I could love anyone.” I don’t know why I’m looking for this horrible woman’s acceptance. But, for some reason, I am.
“Love? You don’t even know him, sweetheart. You’re not from this world. You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into here. So let me tell you. A life trapped in a gilded cage, that’s whatthisis. It might look fancy; it might look like you have everything you need. It’s not. And you won’t. It’s a life sentence; it’s always having to look over your shoulder. Always having to be on guard. It’s never leaving the house without armed security. Then, when you have children, you have to watch them grow up as they’re groomed into this lifestyle. Is that what you want for yourself?”
Well shit…nowould be my first answer. Then I think about what the alternative is. A white picket fence and a normal guy with a normal job. The life my mum and dad had, before he went to jail. Yet, it still ended in tragedy. That so-calledsafe lifedoesn’t exist. Within a heartbeat, your son or daughter… or brother… could be killed by an irresponsible drunk driver.
Nobody can predict what’s going to happen.
“I know what I don’t want. What I don’t want is a future that doesn’t include Theo. If I have to learn the ways of your family, if I have to prove myself over and over again to gain your trust or friendship, then I’ll do it. Nothing you say will hurt me more than not being with your son. So, I’ll sit here and endure whatever it is you need to throw at me. The alternative, the thought of walking out those doors without him, well, that’s not an option for me.At all.”
Everyone at the table is silently watching me. Theo brings our joined hands up to his mouth and kisses my wrist.
“Did he tell you what happened to his father? What my son did as his father lay cold on the floor?”
“No…”
“Ma, stop!” Theo shouts across the table.
