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Cecilia frowns. “Tell them what? That you tried to kiss me without my consent?”
“What?” Giulia asks as Antonio stiffens.
“No,” Salvatore grits out. “About how you assaulted me. She kicked me. I’m an older man. I fell when she kicked me. I could have been seriously wounded.”
“Like you seriously wounded Theo?” Cecilia snaps back.
“Cecilia,” I say softly to her. “Be careful.”
Salvatore huffs. “Yes, do be careful. That’s my wife you’re talking to. She shouldn’t have been alone with you. That never should have happened.”
“Theo is our guard,” Giulia explains.” Cecilia is safe with him.”
“I want him fired,” Salvatore spits out.
“Why?” Antonio asks.
“Because … because,” he stammers. “I think your guard has feelings for my wife that should not be allowed.”
Antonio turns to me. “Is this true, Theo?”
To protect Cecilia I have to deny my feelings for her, even if feels like my heart is getting punched. “It’s strictly professional, Antonio. You know this.” Cecilia and I talked on the way over, and I told her I’d probably have to act like I don’t care for her, at least until we can find a way to be together.
He looks at his sister. “Cecilia?”
“Theo is just our guard, Antonio. You know this. The problem isn’t Theo. It’s him.” She points at Salvatore. “He tried to force himself on me. Why is no one talking about that?”
“You attacked me,” Salvatore replies. “That’s the truth. It was all unprovoked. Giulia can attest. She came into the room and found me on the floor in pain with Cecilia was gone. Wasn’t that right, Giulia?”
Giulia’s mouth drops open slightly as everyone turns to look at her. I can see Cecilia pleading with her eyes to get her mom to tell the truth. Giulia sighs. “I … I wasn’t in the room. I didn’t see what happened.”
Cecilia lets out a fast breath. “Mom … you believe me, don’t you?”
A look passes between them—something I don’t quite understand.
“Of course, I believe you, honey,” Giulia says. “But … Salvatore was on the ground when I came into the room. He’s not lying about someone hurting him.”
“Someone being your daughter,” Salvatore says. “She kicked me. Attacked me.”
“So, why do you want Theo fired if Cecilia hurt you?” Antonio asks.
Salvatore’s eyes are blazing. “Because she hurt me to ran off to be with him.” He gives me a disgusted sneer. “That is uncalled for. You need to fire your guard. And I suggest we move up the wedding. Cecilia has proven she can’t be trusted. She needs a husband to rein her in.”
“No,” Cecilia practically shouts. “Please, Antonio. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I don’t want to marry him. Please don’t make me.”
Antonio doesn’t look at her as he keeps his eyes trained on Salvatore. “You’re not the one in charge here, Cecilia,” he reminds her. “I am. And … I need this wedding to take place.”
“No.” Cecilia buckles forward, almost like she’s been hit, while Salvatore smiles smugly.
“This wedding is happening,” Antonio announces.
“Reconsider,” I say before I can stop myself.
Antonio whirls to face me. “What did you say?”
I’m in it now. Everyone turns to me. Cecilia looks hopeful, Giulia looks resigned, Antonio looks angry, and Salvatore looks smug. “Reconsider. Your sister is begging you to not force her to marry a man she doesn’t want to marry. I’ve seen you two since you were kids, always playing together, laughing together. Why are you doing this to her?”
Antonio’s eyes widen, like he’s taken aback until his eyes narrow. “Theo, you are overstepping. I can have you fired for that.”
