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Valerio nodded with a smile.
“Luce,” Tommaso’s voice stole my attention. “Can we have a chat?”
Despite my dumbfounded state, I managed to answer, “Only if you give me another glass of Macallan.”
Tommaso didn’t react for a second but then smiled. “Of course. Come on. Let’s talk in my office.”
I got up. I might make a comment about how he made me follow him, but that was unnecessary. By talking with me at his office, he was actually showing me how much he valued me. Men in our world didn’t let women into their offices for reasons other than serving.
When we got inside, I perched on one of the comfortable-looking chairs, and Tommaso went to the bar without making eye contact. I could tell he was nervous, and it actually made me feel powerless. I usually didn’t matter enough to make people nervous. I made them uncomfortable, yes, but never nervous. I weirdly enjoyed this.
After handing me the glass, he sat on the other chair facing me. He didn’t sit behind his desk. Despite his nervousness, he didn’t put distance between us. I appreciated that.
Of course, none of it showed on my face. I got sips from my liquid courage and sat there like the ice queen I was. If he wanted emotions, he had to work for them.
He took a sip from his whiskey and looked around for a while. I expected him to mumble some nonsense to start the conversation, but after his long silence, he boldly asked, “Does he hurt you, Luce?”
“What?” I did my best to not looked taken aback.
“Does Valerio hurt you?”
“Does it matter? He is my husband. He has every right to do whatever he wants to do to me, right?” I asked mockingly.
Tommaso shook his head, looking frustrated. “Maybe in the minds of others, but it matters for me. Even if it is an arranged marriage, a man should cherish his wife.”
“You might not know this, Tommaso, but many women around us are not treated well by their husbands.”
“I know,” he said between gritted teeth. “I know, and I am not happy about it, but this is different. You are my sister. I cannot let him hurt you.”
At that, I almost chuckled. “You didn’t care at all when I was hurting before, brother.”
“I know,” he said again, but this time it was not angry or frustrated. It was sad. “And that is the reason. I know I was not a good brother. I know I made mistakes. I shouldn’t have turned a blind eye when I very well knew you were struggling. I should have taken action back then, but I didn’t. I made mistakes, Luce, and I am so sorry about them. I just want to make them right. I didn’t save you back then, but maybe I can save you now.”
I was not in a position to be saved. Valerio gave me more comfort than I ever had, but still, Tommaso’s words mattered. I kept my tears back, but my jaw flexed with all the emotions I was feeling. So I asked the only thing that mattered. “Are you really sorry for abandoning me?”
“Yes,” he said. “I know how cruel Father can be, and I still left you in his mercy. I had the power to step up, and I didn’t. I should have.”
I sniffed, still trying to keep my composure even though Tommaso looked defeated, crouching in his seat. “And what if Valerio is hurting me? Dad sold me to him after all.”
“If he is hurting you, I won’t let you go back to Chicago.”
“That would start a war.” Oh, how much Father would like that.
“It is worth it,” Tommaso said without a beat. “He didn’t seem like the type, but if he is hurting you, please tell me. If you are not happy there, I will take risks for you, Luce. I want to help you.”
He seemed genuine, but there was something more substantial. His words made it seem like he was not aware of some things. “I am happy,” I said, wanting to just get that out of the way first. “Valerio and his family are treating me better than anyone ever did here.”
He exhaled a breath. “That is good. I am so happy for you.”
“Do you know why Father made me marry him?”
Tommaso looked confused. “For alliance.”
I shook my head. He really didn’t know. So without a beat, I announced the real reason, “He wanted Valerio to kill me.”
“What?”
Then I proceeded to tell him everything. I told him about my father’s plans as he listened with furrowed brows. In the end, he told me he would take care of it. He asked me again if I was okay and also apologized again. I didn’t shed a tear, but I accepted his apology, and I also hugged him.
