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“That’s it?” Anna asks. “That’s all it takes to get married?”
I walk out of the room without looking back. “Where are you going?” Anna calls after me.
“To see your father,” I call back. “Be good while I’m gone. I’ll be back tonight. Be ready for I will come for you. Do not expect any mercy from me.”
I glance back at her. She looks afraid.
I hate the way I feel when I look at her.
I need to shut down all these bullshit emotions.
I could take the helicopter but I feel like the boat today. It’s fueled and ready to go. I climb onboard and send a message to Bea. “Marriage done. Going to see Don Caruso.”
“Be careful,” she replies a minute later. “And congrats. You’re a family man, now, like father always wanted.”
A family man. What does that even mean?
I get an image in my head. Me and Anna, living here. Children running around the house. The four of us sitting around the table, eating dinner together. Laughing, talking, living.
The image is gone as soon as it’s come. That is not what this is about. It’s about revenge. That’s all.
I look out at the ocean as I cross the water. The marriage is done. Time to make sure Paolo knows what that means. I want my money but even if I get it, I’ll still break her.
I’m going to ruin his only daughter, break her mind until she is weak and useless. Then I’m going to watch him waste away from the guilt of knowing he caused it. And when he dies, which he soon will, I’ll inherit everything through her. All of Caruso’s businesses come to me.
I lean back in my seat and smile. I own her now. She belongs to me. And when I get back, I’m going to make sure she knows it.
9
Anna
The priest has already gone, heading for the waiting helicopter outside. Leo has signed the paperwork. Adding my signature felt like I was signing my own death warrant.
It’s official, that’s what the priest told me. Officially married. No ring. No gifts. Not even a husband in the same room as me, which frankly, is the least I should be able to expect.
It’s just me, those two girls, and Leo’s gardener, Barb by his side.
The girls come over. They’re younger than me, both looking happier now Leo’s left. “Congratulations,” the red haired one says. She’s tugging at a frayed thread on his cuff as she says it. “How’s it feel?” She manages a half smile.
“Strange.”
The other one is staring at me like I’ve grown another head. She’s taller, broader, got a couple of kitchen burns on her arms. “You’ll get used to it. Life isn’t so bad here. Leo’s a good boss.”
Sergio interrupts our conversation. “Jessica, Imogen, you want your afternoon off or what?”
“Got to go,” the red head says to me, squeezing my arm.
“Where are you all going?”
We’re going to the mainland. Eating then shopping.”
“Can I come?”
Sergio shakes his head. “Orders are for you to stay here until he gets back. Paolo is likely to be pissed when he hears about the marriage. You’re safest here. Keep an eye on Barb for me, will you?”
The three of them walk out of the room together, leaving me alone.
I cross to the window and look out. Sergio is leading the girls and the priest along the path down to the beach.
