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“Since it did, I’d say yes. It happens.” He lowers his brow. “You might want to watch before you step too far outside your boundaries.”
One of the men standing at my side grunts, shifting his weight from one foot to the other like he’s ready to remind the man to be respectful. Of course, that only inspires Alvarez’s men to make a move like they’re about to reach for their guns. I hold up a hand, shaking my head. “None of that will be necessary,” I murmur. “No violence here. We wouldn’t want to ruin the union of our families before the wedding even takes place. All of this will have been for nothing, and my poor fiancée will be left without a husband. Or a family.”
He recoils slightly but maintains his composure. “Stand down,” he mutters, and I have to hold back a grin. He’s not a stupid man, even if he makes unfortunate decisions like double-crossing me.
“Back to the matter at hand. I arrived at the agreed-upon location in good faith, and you tried to kill me. Who overstepped their boundaries—with all due respect?” I add with a faint smile.
Color rises in his cheeks, and his eyes narrow. “Very well. I’m tired of running around in circles over this. I have other things to take care of.”
Yes, I’m sure making certain his daughter is safe and well is a real inconvenience. “So you agree, then? You don’t see her until the day of the wedding?”
He grits his teeth, and I can’t pretend it isn’t gratifying. He’s holding no cards here. If he wants to make a deal and solidify his family’s position, he has no choice but to agree. I could sit here all day and watch him pretend he isn’t squirming. I’m enjoying my drink.
Finally, he grunts. “I see her before the wedding, and we will confirm the terms then. Before any vows are exchanged.”
“Fair enough. I believe we can agree on that.” Now he looks like he wishes he’d asked for more since I agreed so quickly. He doesn’t understand that I wouldn’t have agreed to more than that. Grandfather already gave me the terms, and I’ve no choice but to adhere to them. No matter how much I’d rather tell him to fuck himself while his daughter watches.
“What sort of wedding do you have in mind?” he asks.
“Something small. Simple. A few witnesses.”
“You don’t think my daughter deserves better than that?”
“How much are you willing to pay?” I ask with a smile that lands like a knife to his chest if the way he grimaces means anything. “Let’s be frank. The point of this is to exchange vows and place our names on a marriage license. Anything more than that is unnecessary. If you disagree, your lovely wife is more than welcome to plan the sort of wedding her little girl deserves.”
“No.” It’s too sharp, too sudden. “No, there’s no need for that.”
“Very well. Whatever you prefer.” Because he doesn’t give a shit, and he doesn’t care about his daughter’s so-called terms. I wonder if he knows how easy it is to see through him. “Was there anything else you wanted to discuss, sir?”
“No. I think that will do it. I assume the day your grandfather set is to your liking?”
“One day is as good as any other—as soon as possible, of course,” I add with a wide smile as we both stand. “I’m not sure how much longer I can wait before making your daughter my wife.”
“Yes,” he replies with just as wide a smile. “I can hardly wait for that day, myself. Nor can I wait for our families to join.”
I’m sure he’s chomping at the bit.
Our handshake is firm but brief, and I have to resist the impulse to wipe my hand on my jacket as I turn away. That was easier than I imagined.
Though something is stuck in my craw, and it doesn’t hit me until I’m in the car.
He was too happy. Almost gleeful. I can’t imagine why.
19
ALICIA
I’m pretty sure I’m going to go crazy. Being in this room, alone and locked in. The entire time Enzo was out of the house, I couldn’t stop worrying. What if there was a fire? I doubt I could make it through the window—if I could even reach the window in the first place. I wouldn’t have any way of getting help, either. No phone in here, no way for me to even call the fire department.
At least, all’s well that ends well when it comes to that. He came home after what was probably a few hours, and I heard him moving around the house before he stopped in and left me a change of clothes and some food.
But he never looked at me. He never even said a word, leaving just as suddenly as he came in. I don’t get him. How can he treat me like, I don’t know, a piece of furniture or something? I wouldn’t even treat a pet the way he treats me. I would at least make sure they weren’t locked away, alone, with no way to take care of themselves.
Now it’s the middle of the night. The sense of never knowing the exact time is wearing on me, too. By the time I give up the fight and stop trying to fall asleep, there’s faint birdsong coming from outside. We must be getting close to morning.
If it wasn’t for the noise coming from somewhere else on this floor, I wouldn’t get out of bed and go to the door. I wouldn’t knock or call his name. “Enzo?” I jiggle the doorknob, which of course, doesn’t do anything but make more noise. When I don’t get an answer right away, I knock again. “Where are you? I need you.”
The lock clicks after a few seconds, and I step back from the door as he swings it open.
