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JULIANA
I reached for the cell phone with shaking fingers. I felt the cold metal against my palm. I just looked down at the phone for a few seconds.
“You can call your sister.”
I went to enter Jessica’s number; however, the phone needed a pin. “It’s locked.”
Marco reached across me and typed in his pin number. His fingers brushed against mine. It sent a shockwave through me; all my senses were heightened.
I entered Jess’s phone number. I keyed it in automatically, not having to think about the number after having dialed it so many times in the past.
“Remember, she’s to tell no one about the call. And keep it on speaker.”
I nodded as I listened to the ringing tone. But the phone kept ringing and I felt a pit of disappointment in my stomach as I realized that she wasn’t going to pick up.
As I went to hang up, Jess’s voice came onto the line. “Hello?”
For a second, I couldn’t say anything, feeling tears stinging the back of my eyes. “Jess?” I croaked out. “It’s me. Please don’t tell anyone I’m calling. Can you talk?”
“I can talk. Is that really you, Juliana? God, how are you?”
“I’m fine, but I’ve been so worried about you after you got shot. Are you okay? They told me that you were treated quickly at the church and then taken to hospital.”
“It’s nearly healed now but I’ve never felt so much pain in my life. They said I was lucky that it didn’t hit any major blood vessels.”
“Oh Jess, it’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve really missed you.”
“I can’t believe the Fratellanza took you. Are you okay? Did they, did he…force you?”
I looked at Marco. “It wasn’t like that. I’m okay. I’m trying to make the best of things. I want to hear about you and what you have been up to. How are Jake and Mother?” I said, trying to change the subject away from me.
“Father and Mother have been keeping me busy. I’m getting married in a few weeks’ time.”
“What?” I exclaimed. “What do you mean? To whom?”
“They’re marrying me to Rafael Santino. We’ll be married next month.” Rafael was Gabriel Santino’s younger brother.
“But it’s only been a few weeks since I was supposed to get married.”
“I’m eighteen now and therefore Father says I’m old enough to be married off. In the two months you’ve been gone, the Società has been in an uproar after your kidnapping. Emanuel Santino and Father thought a union between our families would send a signal of strength.”
“What’s Rafael like?” I had never really spoken to Rafael Santino.
Jess gave a hollow laugh. “Well, he’s a Santino. They’re all ruthless. I doubt he’ll show me any mercy.”
“He might be good to you, Jess. At least you will still be near Mother and Jake.” After a pause I said, “I wish I could be near you too. Jess, I miss you so much. You and Jake are always in my thoughts.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone and then I heard a sniffle from Jess. “Jess, don’t cry. I’m okay, really. And you will be too, I know it. I wish I could be there on your wedding day.”
“I wish that too.” Jess didn’t say anything else to me and there was silence. I could hear her crying down the phone, but it didn’t seem as though it was only about what had happened to me.
As the older of the two of us, I had always been able to reassure Jess. She was more sensitive than me and I had looked out for her. “Jess, is something else wrong?” When Jess didn’t reply I knew there was something else. “Jess?”
“You can’t help me. Nobody can. What’s done is done.”
“Jess, if you really don’t want to marry Rafael, perhaps there is a way out of it.”
I hear a humorless laugh from her. “As if Father or Emanuel Santino would let me off the hook. Anyway, the engagement contract has been signed, so it’s all settled and there’s no way out for me.”
