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“Angelo sent marriage instructions on the day of your eighteenth birthday.” Ryan holds my gaze unfalteringly as he deals yet another blow. “His family was preparing a big wedding in Corsica for June. Dad wanted to stop it. He wanted to get them off our backs.”
But everything went wrong.
Celeste walks to the back of my chair and puts a hand on my shoulder. “If it makes you feel better, I didn’t know that he was paying for your house either. Ryan only told me recently.”
I shake off her touch. It doesn’t make me feel better. Nothing can. “The Russos wanted an arranged marriage for shares and money. They have all the money. They have the business. Why does he still want me to honor the deal?”
“I don’t know,” Ryan says. “I thought he gave up that goal when we agreed to stop the bloodshed between our families. The only reason I can think of is that the Edwards name is respected everywhere we do business. The Russo name not so much. It’s not a good name.”
My laugh is cold. “You don’t say. Not that we deserve any of that respect. We’re no better than the Russos. We just keep up the pretense.”
“Don’t say that,” Mom exclaims. “Do not compare me with those savages.”
“Come on, Mom.” My smile is flat. “You know what Dad was involved in. None of us can claim to be ignorant about who we are any longer.”
“Dad tried to spare you all from that part of his life.” Ryan glances at Celeste. “So did I.”
Another memory slips into my mind. I remember the day Angelo gave me the Ferrari for my eighteenth birthday. When Colin questioned the inappropriately expensive gift, Ryan silenced him. I had a feeling then that Ryan was hiding something.
My brother’s strange behavior now makes sense. That’s why he didn’t make a scene. Angelo was already paying my way as far back as then. Farther still. My brother knew Angelo was planning on marrying me. That’s why the gift didn’t shock Ryan. Giving your future wife a Ferrari when you’re a billionaire is hardly abnormal. That’s why Ryan smoothed it over and deflected Colin’s questions. He was keeping the truth from me while conspiring with Dad to stop the wedding from happening.
Yes, I kept a truth from him too, but damn it, the fact that I gave my v-card to Angelo didn’t impact Ryan’s life. The fact that Angelo supports me financially, me and my family, definitely impacts me.
“You should’ve told me.” I jump to my feet. “You had no right to hide this.”
Celeste puts a hand on my arm. “Bella, sweetie, I’m the first one to agree. Ryan was just trying to protect you.”
“Don’t make excuses for him.” I pull away, escaping the comfort she offers. I’m too angry to accept their support or apologies. Too devastated.
“Bella, please.” Mom stands, extending her palms. “We tried our best for this not to happen. You know how much your father loved you. He would’ve done anything to keep you from this fate.”
“Including murder,” I say, placing a hand on my brow as I pace to the sliding doors.
Fuck.
“Yes.” Mom’s tone turns hard. “Including murder. He did what he thought was best. We all want what’s best for you.”
I spin around to face her. “What are you saying?”
“We’re not going to let Angelo win. Let him cut off our allowance. Let him remove Ryan as CEO of the South African branch and take away everything your father built his entire life. We’ll find a way to survive. Ryan can work elsewhere. I can get a job.”
I stare at her as horrible facts sink in. “Ryan won’t find another job that pays that well, not with the current unemployment rate. And what would you do? You said yourself, that ship has sailed. What about Celeste and Brad and their future? Not to mention that Ryan will go to jail for murder if the truth comes out.”
“Angelo Russo won’t dare to tell the truth,” Ryan says. “He’s guilty too, remember?”
How can I forget? That image is burned into my brain. The nightmares still haunt my sleep.
“What are you suggesting?” I ask. “That I go on the run?”
“We stand up to him.” Ryan straightens. “We say no. I’d rather be dirt fucking poor than deliver you to that monster.”
I consider that, what it will be like for all of us to start from scratch, to have nothing and work our way up. I don’t care about the comfort or the money. If I can’t find a permanent job, I can always do small jobs to pay the bills. I don’t need much.
But what about Brad and Celeste? Celeste doesn’t earn a salary. A child costs money. There are things to consider, things like medical care and an education. Mom will have to lower her standards and give up her status. We’d have to let Doris go. Poor Doris. Will she find another live-in job in George? At least she has unemployment insurance. Mom will have to sell the big houses and buy a smaller place, maybe an apartment near Mattie and Jared. Thank goodness Jared isn’t involved in the business, or he’d be relying on Angelo for a salary too.
Mattie and I will have a bit of money when the investment funds we inherited pay out. I can always use that cash to buy a studio apartment. If Ryan can’t find another job, I can put that money at his disposal. Or we can rent a modest house in a middle class suburb, and I can board with them again until we’re all on our feet. That way, we can still afford to keep Doris on.
Right now, a modest house in a middle class suburb sounds amazing. Like a dream.
