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“This might sound weird, but you are nice to look at, Elias. You stick out, but in a good way,” she tried to explain before her cheeks grew more flushed. “I like looking at you.”
She was going to make a simple conversation far more complicated if she continued speaking so freely. I’d need to cut my hands off to avoid going against her wishes.
“Next question,” I rasped, already dreading the long length of the night.
Ramona
Antonio did not take long to make his expected visit. Three days were all it took before he made his appearance.
Elias was smiling smugly while my brother looked like he’d foam at the mouth like a rabid dog.
“Please tell your men to put their guns away,” I asked Elias, sighing at the ten pistols pointed in my brother’s direction. Had lessons not been learned? No firing guns in the house!
Elias sighed in disappointment, swatting his hand to make them back off. Getting comfortable next to me, his smile didn’t last long.
“I want to be alone with my brother,” I told him, much to his dismay.
“How do I know he won’t try to take you away?”
“Because I won’t let him,” I promised as I looked between the two of them. “I’d made it clear that I have no intention of leaving in that invitation I sent.”
Antonio was looking at me now, his hands balled up in fists. Yeah, he was definitely going to give me an earful. Couldn’t wait for that.
Elias grabbed my hand, bringing it to his lips. “I trust you.”
“Fucking hell,” Antonio huffed out, glaring at his rival. “Hurry up and take your men with you. Once you aren’t breathing down her neck, she might be able to actually hear what I’m saying.”
Elias let go of my hand, automatically reaching for his gun with a deep scowl.
“Elias.” I sighed, already tired of the bickering. “Remember what we talked about? How I wanted to help clear the air?”
My future husband’s expression remained for seconds before he let out a long exaggerated sigh. Clapping his hands together, he looked at his men.
“Everyone out.” He looked at Antonio and a smile grew on his lips. “Enjoy your time with my wife,brother.”
One step forward and two steps back. Elias wanted to egg on my brother and it was clearly working. I could hear Antonio’s teeth grinding. Perfect.
Elias left with the other men in tan suits, looking pleased with himself. Before he slipped out entirely, he caught my gaze.
“I’ll be right outside of the door, darling. Just say the word and I’ll be there,” he called before closing the door behind him.
I didn’t get even five seconds of peaceful silence.
“What in the hell are you doing, Ramona?” Antonio asked, already taking a few steps in my direction. “Elias Mariani, seriously? I don’t know what you heard–”
“Enough people were already hurt, Antonio. I don’t want anyone else to fight.”
“Ramona, he kidnapped Bruno’s girlfriend and threatened to kill her if I didn’t give you to him,” Antonio stated.
I frowned as my hands curled around the chair’s arms. If I hadn’t listened in on the conversation happening inside Antonio’s office, I’d still be so ignorant and people I cared about would’ve gotten killed.
“You didn’t let me in on the conversation with Bruno because you knew what Elias wanted. You took away my option to choose, Antonio. Now that I went out and decided for myself, you’re here to scold me. Tell me I’m wrong.”
My brother looked surprised for a moment before his frown matched mine. “He doesn’t actually love you, Ramona. He’s doing all this to spite me.”
“And?” I shrugged my shoulders. “He plans on marrying me despite knowing full well that I don’t love him either, not right now. That’s the funny thing about love, brother. It kind of just manifests on its own. You should know that best.”
Kelsie, his own lover, had been brought to our home due to a stupid gambling debt. She didn’t even like him, not at first. Over time, she learned to love my annoying, stubborn brother.
