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"Then perhaps you can elaborate," Cesare invites. "What exactly are you asking, Penelope?"
"I just want to know if we'd be like a normal couple—-"
"Don't normal couples fuck?"
I should've seen that coming, dammit.
"I'm being serious here," I say stiffly. "I need to know—-"
"No, we will not be a normal couple."
Uh...ouch?
"My answer obviously disappoints you."
"Why can't we be a normal couple?"
"Why would you want to be?"
"Is it because you, I mean, is it becausewe, are, uh,famiglia?"
"That's part of the reason, but if you'd really like me to spell it out..."
"Yes!"
"Then it's because I don't want you to think of me as your husband—-even when we're married."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm sure you're aware that today'snormalmarriages have high divorce rates all over the world. Marriages betweenfamiglia,though...divorce and annulments are exceptionally rare, and do you know why that is?"
If I have to guess...I think that's because some members offamigliamay not see anything wrong with shooting their spouses or lovers when one of them wants out. So who needs a lengthy divorce battle, when you can just turn yourself into a widow real quick?
"When you'refamiglia,you eventually understand as you grow older that marriages are more likely to last when both parties treat it as a business transaction. And we can't do that if you think of me as your husband...or insist on seeing yourself as a wife."
"Then how do you want us to see each other then?" I ask in confusion. "As business partners?"
"That could do," he acknowledges, "but since that's boring as fuck, I would like you to see me as yourownerinstead."
"Excuse me?"
"And you, on the other hand, will be my property."
"You're kidding me.Right?"
"I could've lied to you," he points out, "and use pretty words to convince you that I have feelings for you. Instead, I'm telling you the truth...because I don't want our marriage to be built on lies."
"But...anowner?" I choke out. "I'm not an object to be owned. What you're suggesting is completely crazy—-"
"Will you still think that," he muses, "if I say thatyoushall own me as well?"
My mouth opens and closes several times, but I'm still unable to think of what to say.
"I thought that would catch your attention."
The lazy amusement in his tone makes me feel like bristling and blushing at the same time. "If this is some kind of joke—-"
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you on that score, since I've never been good at cracking jokes."
