AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I tucked the pendant under my shirt and stood up, keeping far out of Franco’s reach. “No. My mom gave it to me, and she knew my dad better than anyone. He wanted me to have it.”
Franco chuckled in a dark way that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “You really think your mother knew your father best? He was my brother. I think I knew him best.”
“No. You’re wrong.”
“Just give me the pendant, Antonio.” He held out his hand. “This doesn’t need to be hard.”
I looked around to notice I was alone with Franco outside. Everyone else was inside for the reception. I edged my way toward the door. “No. This belonged to my father, and now it belongs to me.”
“Just give it to me.” Franco lunged in my direction, and I darted back. For a moment, I thought he was going to hit me, and maybe he would have, if not for my mother stepping outside at that moment.
“What’s going on here?” she asked, looking between Franco and me. My uncle immediately stepped away from me, smoothing back his hair.
“Nothing, Giulia,” he said to her. “Just Antonio and I having a chat. I wanted to see my brother’s pendant. That’s all.”
Mom didn’t move from her spot. “Well, Antonio, maybe you should come back inside. Cecilia was asking where you were. Come on.” I hurried inside with my mom, feeling my uncle’s eyes on my back the entire time.
I settled in at one of the tables next to Cecilia, who had her head bowed over her cross as she said a prayer for our father.
“Are you ok?” she asked without looking at me.
“Not really,” I admitted, and that was when the tears came. I’d been holding them back for so long, but I could no longer pretend to be a man. I was just a twelve-year-old boy.
All Cecilia did was take my hand and silently tell me she would be there for me, even though she was just ten years old herself. I clung back, and together, we stayed like that for the rest of the reception until we could finally go home.
But home wasn’t any better because my father wasn’t there and, in his place, was Franco. Nothing was ever the same again.
Now, as I finish fixing my tie, I look myself over in the mirror, taking in my suit and slicked back hair, ready for my wedding.
A wedding and a funeral.
What could do wrong?
CHAPTER4
Nina
It’s my wedding day.
I can barely believe how fast it’s come. My mom spent the past month planning it in a frenzy. She even stopped taking her normal pills so she’d have the energy to plan it. Even though Antonio and I met up, which helped me feel more comfortable around him, he’s still unknown to me. I guess we have the rest of our lives to figure each other out. That’s a surreal thought.
“There,” Mom says, brushing down the skirt of my wedding dress. It’s a simple satin gown with off the shoulder sleeves and a subtle neckline that shows off just a hint of cleavage. We got it on short notice because my father insisted I marry Antonio as soon as possible. “You look lovely.” She fluffs my hair, which is down in a simple hairstyle.
“Thank you.” I take in a deep breath as I look at myself in the full-length mirror. My bedroom is reflected in it, and it dawns on me that this is probably the last time I’ll see my bedroom for a while because I’ll be moving in with Antonio after we’re married.
“Are you ready?”
I meet her gaze in the mirror. “Am I a bad a person if I say no?”
“Of course not. This is an arranged marriage, after all. It’s ok to feel a little scared.”
More like a lot scared. “Mom, do you think this is the best thing for me? Marrying Antonio?”
She sighs as she sits on my bed. “It’s what your father wants.”
But what about what I want?I just want to get Anna out of this house and away from our father. My marriage to Antonio provides me that opportunity, and yet, Antonio will be working with my dad, which means I’ll still be tied to him in a way. Which is exactly what I don’t want.
“Tell me you’ll make sure Anna is safe.”
