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“Neither do I.” She keeps her voice low. “But there’s nothing I can do. This is what Antonio wants.”
“You’re his mom. Can’t you talk to him? He’d listen to you.”
Her eyes flash with anger. “Antonio is a grown man. He won’t listen to me. I can’t command him do anything he doesn’t want to do.”
“I understand. But Cecilia isn’t safe with him.”
“And you know this how?”
I sigh. “I saw him cornering her in the living room the other day. He tried kissing her. She looked uncomfortable. I stepped in. I was the only reason she wasn’t assaulted.”
Giulia’s expression darkens. “I …” She swallows hard. “I want to protect her. I do. And I appreciate you stepping in, Theo. But Salvatore will be Cecilia’s husband. It’s his right to touch her.”
I’m shocked. “Giulia, I heard things happen between you and Franco behind closed doors.” She turns away from me. “I know Franco abused you for years. You’re just going to let the same thing happen to your daughter?”
“No,” she says in a haggard voice. “This is the last thing I want. But my hands are tied. I live and die by the men in my life. It’s the way in this business. In this … life.”
I’m really starting to hate Mafia life.
“If I could save my daughter, I would in a heartbeat. But that would mean going against my son. And I can’t do that.”
I watch her walk away, feeling the last shred of hope for Cecilia slip through my fingers.
When I enter the kitchen,I see Salvatore, once again, siting near Cecilia, and she’s looking like she wants to throw up. Salvatore eyes me as I take my place in the corner. I give him a tight smile. He’s not getting rid of me any time soon.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” Cecilia says to Salvatore. “Not. At. All.”
Salvatore either doesn’t understand her snappish tone or chooses to ignore it. “My dear, we will marry. I want to see you ever day.”
“Oh.” She shares a look with Mia, who expertly stands up and leaves the room. I don’t blame her. I don’t want to be in the same room as Salvatore either. But by Mia leaving, that means Cecilia has one less person to protect her. Cecilia frowns as she turns back to Salvatore. “I actually have an early morning tomorrow, so I shouldn’t have any visitors.”
Salvatore doesn’t take the hint. “I wanted to continue our discussion from the other day. I want to make sure you haven’t been filling your head with those romance movies. They’re not good for women.”
“I think they’re fine,” she replies.
Giulia is at the sink doing dishes. The twins are long gone. Probably in their rooms getting into mischief.
Salvatore chuckles. “Of course, you do, dear. It’s because you don’t have a mind of your own.”
“And that’s something you want from me?” she asks in a tight voice. “To have a mind of my own?”
“Heaven’s no!” He throws his head back and laughs. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Cecilia looks like she wants to punch Salvatore as well. “How are you helping my brother? He’s gone to all this trouble to get your money, so I hope you’re paying him well.”
“Not until after we’re married.” He touches Cecilia’s nose. She jerks back.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I don’t start working with Antonio until after you and I are married. That’s how our deal works.”
Cecilia stares at the table. “So … my brother isn’t getting anything from you until we’re married.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
That must be why Antonio is pushing so hard for Cecilia and Salvatore to marry. I can tell by Cecilia’s expression, she realizes the same thing.
Giulia wipes her hands on a towel. “It’s getting late. Salvatore, I’ll walk you out.”
