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The sudden look of anger that crosses Antonio’s face is something I’ve only seen directed at Franco. He rushes over to me. Theo tenses but doesn’t interfere.
“No?” Antonio asks in a low voice. “You don’t get to disobey me, Cecilia. You may be my sister, but you are doing this for the good of our family.”
I touch his cheek, and he jerks back, surprised. “Antonio, I know you fought hard for this family. You fought hard for years. I know you’re just scared of something bad happening to all of us again. But you are doing something bad to me now. If you force me to marry Salvatore, I will resent you forever.” He flinches. “I will never see you again. You will no longer be my brother. You will no longer be the person who kept me safe when we were young. You’ll be an enemy in my eyes. Do you understand that? Because you need to know that just because you are boss, you don’t get to boss others around. There are consequences for your actions. Are you willing to lose me to gain the respect of your men?”
Antonio stares at me long and hard before he speaks. “If it means making sure my wife is safe from anyone who could do her harm, then yes. I’m willing to risk that.”
I jerk back. “So, that’s it, huh? Your wife verses your sister. I get it. I do. But you just threw twenty-one years of friendship down the drain. You’re not my friend, and you’re mostcertainlynot my brother.”
Antonio’s eyes harden before he turns away from me. “The wedding will be in two weeks. Make sure everything is finished and ready to go by then.” He walks away.
Lucky for him. He gets to walk away from the mess he’s made of my life while I have to live it.
CHAPTER 11
Cecilia
Sitting in church, listening to Father Enzo go on and on about sin and hell makes shift in my seat. Theo gave me my first orgasm yesterday, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. If Father Enzo knew, he’d surely say I belonged in hell. I’m supposed to wait for marriage. I was always all right with that idea. But now that Salvatore will be the first man I sleep with, it feels like punishment. I should be able to enjoy my body before I’m forced to wed an old man.
I want Theo to make me feel like that again. I need him to touch me like that again. My skin itches for how badly I want it. He woke something up in me, and now, I’m not sure I can put it away.
“Cecilia,” Mom murmurs, tapping my leg. It’s only then I realize I’ve been bouncing it. She nods toward Father Enzo, who’s still talking about sin and hell. “Focus.”
It’s hard, especially with Theo sitting in the pew behind me. I glance over my shoulder at him. He’s watching the sermon. How he can look so calm and collected after what we did yesterday is a mystery to me. I feel like a complete mess. I guess it’s because Theo has had more practice at relationships than I have, which makes me feel slightly jealous. Even though I have no reason to.He’s made it clear he likes me. It’s just that all of this is so new to me.
His eyes flick to mine, and a little smile passes his lips before he slips his stoic expression back into place. He nods toward my mom, and I turn back in my seat before she can catch me ogling Theo.
“Adultery,” Father Enzo says, his voice ringing out loud and clear. I snap to attention. “Adultery is one of the worsts sins a person can commit.” He looks out at the crowd, but I swear, it’s like he’s looking right at me. I guess I’ve committed adultery in my own way. I don’t want to belong to Salvatore, but I technically do because my heart belongs with Theo.
Sweat begins to bead across my body as Father Enzo continues his sermon, condemning adultery and everyone who practices it.
It feels like it takes forever for his sermon to end, and once he’s done, everyone in the church scatters. Mom turns to me. “Cecilia, are you all right? You look hot.” She touches my head before I can move away. “You’re a little warm. Are you okay?” Am I okay? Of course not. All I want is to be with Theo, which is new and intimidating and thrilling, all while dealing with Catholic guilt and being forced to marry Salvatore. I am most definitely not okay.
“I’m fine,” I squeak out. “Ready to go?” I can’t stand the sight of Jesus staring down at me from the cross with judgment in his eyes.
She frowns. “Don’t you want to make confession with Father Enzo? You do it every week.”
“Uh … I’m good.” The reality is, I have a lot to confess to. Kissing Theo. Touching Theo. Having an orgasm because of Theo. But I’m so happy with him; I don’t want Father Enzo to ruin it for me.
Mom looks like she wants to say more but doesn’t. “All right. We can head home.”
Mia jumps up, already on her phone. “Thank God. I don’t like being here a second longer.”
“Mia,” Mom scolds, but Mia ignores her. The twins are being good for once. Luca isn’t causing chaos; instead, he’s sitting in the pew like a good kid. I guess he took my words to heart about being nicer when it comes to Mom. There’s hope for him yet.
As we walk down the aisle toward the church doors, I hear something behind me. A woman speaking. “Sorry. I didn’t see you there.” I glance back to see a woman—probably in her thirties—next to Theo. She’s gazing up at him as if he’s the most handsome man she’s ever seen. I can’t blame her for the that, but the blaze of jealousy that passes through me cannot be ignored.
“It’s all right,” Theo says. He catches my eye and starts to walk toward me when the woman grabs his arm.
“Actually,” she says, “I couldn’t help but notice you were sitting by yourself.” She’s pretty, I’ll give her that. It makes me hate her more.
Theo gives her a gentle smile that twists my heart in two. “I was, but I’m on duty. I’m with other people.”
“Oh?” She tilts her head to the side. “That’s interesting. I’m Diana.” She holds out her hand to him.
“Uh, Theo.” He shakes it. “But I really have to be going.”
“Okay. Uh, here’s my number.” She grabs a pen out of her purse and writes on Theo’s hand. The audacity. “Call me anytime.”
