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“But I can assure you,” he says, taking my hand. I resist the urge to pull back. “I’ll take good care of you.” He licks his lips, and I shudder. I literally recoil from him.
But when I try to take my hand back, he holds on tight. So tight it almost hurts. He roams his hand higher up my arm, stroking me like I’m a pet.
I try pulling back, but he still doesn’t let go.
I turn to Mom, and though she looks uncertain, she stays quiet. She’s deferring to Antonio. When I look at Antonio, he seems uncomfortable with Salvatore touching me like this, but still … he doesn’t do anything. He’s letting his own needs come before my own.
A strong, tan hand grips Salvatore’s hand and pulls it off my arm. Theo. My heart leaps.
Salvatore turns to Theo with a sneer. “You don’t get to touch me, you … you …”
“I’m Cecilia’s personal bodyguard,” Theo explains. “It’s my job to protect her.”
Salvatore stands up, but his head only reaches Theo’s shoulder. “I’m going to be her husband. It will soon be my job to protect her. And I get to touch my wife.”
“Not wife yet,” Antonio reminds him, joining Salvatore and Theo. “While Theo was out of bounds to touch you”—Theo tenses at Antonio’s words— “you shouldn’t touch Cecilia until you two are married. We can agree on that?”
Salvatore huffs but nods. “Yes. I can agree on that. The girl should be an untouched virgin when we marry. I’ll do my part in respecting that.”
I lean into Mom, who wraps her arms around me. This can’t be happening. Salvatore is a disgusting old man.
Which is exactly what I tell Antonio once Salvatore leaves.
Antonio sighs. “Don’t be rude, Cecilia. Yes, he’s old, but he’s not disgusting.”
“I beg to differ. You won’t be the one who has to sleep with him.” I grab my cross and rub it until my fingers start to ache.
Theo resumes his place in the corner, watching the showdown between my brother and me.
“Just do this for me,” Antonio says. “I need to expand. It’s the only way to prove myself to my men. Salvatore can provide a lot of power to our family. You can be the reason our family becomes so powerful that we’re untouchable. Just think about that, Cecilia. This should be an honor. It’s not a punishment.”
“It feels like one,” I mutter, crossing my arms.
“Well, it’s not. And besides, why would you think I’m punishing you?”
“Maybe because I didn’t see you in five years? Do you blame me for not trying harder to see you?”
“Of course not!” he shouts.
“Are you sure? We were best friends. And I didn’t see you in five years. I didn’t even try to reach out. You’re not just the tiniest mad at me for that?”
“No. I know you couldn’t reach out because of Franco. I didn’t want you getting hurt. I don’t blame you.”
I place my hands on my hips. “If you were so worried about me getting hurt, then why are you marrying me to man likethat?”
“Like what? Please, Cecilia, tell me. What is Salvatore other than old?”
“When he grabbed my hand, it hurt.”
Antonio huffs, turning away from me. “You’re just making up excuses so you don’t have to marry him. You’re just not happy because you have to marry an old man, whereas the rest of our sisters are married to men closer in age to them. You’re jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” I say through gritted teeth.
“No? Because that’s what this feels like. You knew it was your duty to marry whoever I chose for you. You’ve known that sinceyou were a kid. You knew Dad would choose for you, so why is this any different?”
“Because you’re my brother!” I shout at him. “You’re not Dad. Stop pretending to be.”
Mom stands up. “Ok. I think that’s enough. Cecilia, you will marry whoever your brother chooses for you.”
