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“You think this is better? I don’t want this, Em.”
“I know, but—”
“And don’t say I have a duty,” I snap. “I thought, of all people, you’d at least tell me it was ok to run out of here if I wanted. But instead, you sound just like Mom.”
Emilia looks hurt. “That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?”
“I came all this way to see you. To support you. Let’s not fight right now.”
“No, let’s. I’m in the mood to fight. Mom is ignoring me, so you’re my next best option.”
Emilia sighs. “Gem, this isn’t the way.”
“Then, what way is it? Follow along like a mindless sheep and marry a man I don’t know to appease the family? Ok, sure. But then I’ll just end up likeyou.” I want my words to hurt. Even though I’ve missed Emilia, I also secretly resented her for leaving. I know she didn’t really have a choice, but it’s what I feel. She left me to pick up the pieces and become a second mom when I never wanted that role.
“I’m happy, Gemma.”
“Are you? How can you be happy with a man you were forced to marry? I’m not you, Emilia, and I’m glad for that. I never want to be.” I walk away before she can say anything more.
That wasn’t how I wanted my reunion with my sister to go, but there’s no turning back. I said what I said. I’m slow to apologize, so I’ll just wait until Emilia finds me again and makes everything all right. That’s her job. That’s what she’s good at.
A man approaches me, looking a little older than me. “Hi, Gemma Moretti? I’m Jack Chengeta. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you all night.”
I look him up and down. “Not interested. Sorry.” He looks like I just hit him. I keep walking.
Another man, with black hair and glasses, approaches me. “I’m—” he starts to say, but I don’t let him.
“No. Not interested.”
I turn to the crowd of men. “Listen up, gentlemen. I have no interests in getting married, so you can all just go home!” Some of the men chuckle, while others look pissed off.
I walk out of the ballroom, but I don’t make it far before someone comes up behind me and grabs my arm. “What was that?” Franco hisses, clenching my arm. His breath stinks of alcohol, and it’s not even seven o’clock.
“What was what?” I know I’m being deliberately annoying. I’m beyond caring.
“You know. That spectacle back there. Your mother and I spent a lot of time putting this together. You are going to make this family proud and choose a suitor to marry.”
I step closer to him and look him squarely in the eye. “You try so hard to sound like my father, but you will never amount to the man he was. You’re just a pathetic copy who swooped in after he died and took power when no one asked you to. My mother doesn’t even like you. You have no control over me. I’m an adult now.”
His eyes narrow, and he jerks me to him. I gasp. “Just because you’re eighteen, doesn’t mean you’re invincible. In fact, it’s the opposite. Now, you’re fair game for any man to have you.” He tugs on a piece of my hair. “Maybe it’s time I shut that mouth of yours up for good.”
I freeze. Franco has never spoken to me like this before. Sure, we’d argue, but he never threatened … that.
“Is there a problem here?” a man asks, his voice like silky butter.
Franco glares at me for a moment before letting me go. “No, no problem.” He doesn’t even spare the man a glance before returning to the ballroom.
I lean against the wall, catching my breath.
The man in question approaches me but keeps some distance between us. “Are you all right?”
I finally look at him and have to stop from gasping. He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. With dark hair and eyes and little bit of scruff, he looks like the epitome of a bad boy. My body responds to him as if on instinct. It’s pure and utter lust.
“I asked you a question. Are you all right?”
I blink, forcing myself to stop staring at him and close my mouth. “Uh …” I gulp. “I’m fine. I’ve just had enough with assholes for the evening.”
