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My eyebrows just about hit the ceiling. I’m not, like,shockedby his words, but that line sounds a lot more like my mom than my dad. I have a very bad feeling about where this is going. “Duties?”
He nods solemnly. “I’ve arranged a marriage for you.”
I scoff in spite of myself. That’s so ridiculous. “Excuse me? You’vearranged a marriage?What century is it?”
His expression doesn’t change, and the room suddenly feels cold as I realize that he’s completely serious. I steal another glance at Alessandro, but he’s still not looking at me, his eyes drilling a hole in the table.
“You know what kind of family you grew up in. You have a legacy to continue. There are traditions. Your mother and I…”
“I don’t care what you and mom decided, or what you want!” I all-but scream. “I don’t want to get married! This is my life!”
For the first time, a trace of guilt creeps into my father’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Ave. I know you had other plans. Sometimes part of life is doing things you don’t want to do.”
I stand up, chair skidding out from behind me. My phone crashes to the floor from my lap, but I don’t even care. “This isn’t part of life for normal people! Just in your weird, fucked up world where you trade off your only daughter like a fucking object! What are you getting for this? Money? Territory?”
“Enough!”Alessandro stands up from his seat now, finally looking directly at me with fire in his eyes. “You will be my wife, and our children will inherit this city. That’s the end of the conversation.”
“Fuck you,” I spit, spinning around and kicking my chair even further out of my way. “I’m a grown adult, I’m a citizen of the United States, and you can’t make me.”
I head for the door, then realize my phone is still under the table. Alessandro hands it to me, the hint of a smirk on his face. Snatching it from him angrily, I walk out of the room, blow past Marco, and take the steps two at a time.
Fuck this. I’m going to a party.
***
Alessandro
“Should I go after her?” I ask, glancing at the still-open door. The sound of Ava’s footsteps going down the stairs starts to fade.
Ava’s father shakes his head. “Don’t bother. She’ll come around.”
To be honest, I’m disappointed. My interest in marriage is zero. But right now, she’s all I can fucking think about. Seeing her fiery defiance makes me need to tame her, to claim her, tobreakher. To make sure she knows just how wrong she is with thatyou-can’t-make-mebullshit.
My grandfather cocks his head at the other boss. “You’re sure we won’t have any issues with this, Tony?”
Gagliardi drains his glass. “There won’t be any issues. You know 19-year-olds, what can you do? They think the world revolves around them.”
19 years old. Jesus. No wonder she looks young.
My mind flashes to the notification I just saw on her phone. An invite to a party, scheduled tonight. The address is still burned into my brain. She’s probably going there now.
I finish my drink, savoring the brandy as I swallow. It’s too sweet. But I think I have a taste for it tonight.
Chapter Five
Ava
In my bedroom at home, my phone buzzes next to me. It’s a message from Isabella, asking when I’m going to be at the party. My fingers tremble as I type out a response, then clamber out of my dress, trying not to mess up my hair or makeup.
My stomach still has a huge pit in it over the meeting with my father. Fuck him, absolutelyfuckhim for thinking he gets to decide that for me. It’smylife. My decision. And I will absolutely die on that hill if he forces me to.
I amnotmarrying Alessandro Rossi.
Punching my pillow, I try to improve my headspace. What I said in defense of myself is undeniably true: legally, they can’t force me into a marriage I don’t want to be in. All I need to do is stay strong and weather the storm until I go off to school. The law is on myside. Really, the worst thing this whole situation can do is ruin my night. And I’m not going to let it.
Okay, moving past that. The party. The theme is“Halloween Starts in August,”which I imagine is basically just an excuse for everybody to show up in costume. Digging around in my closet, I find my Halloween outfit from last year: a red bodysuit with a forked tail, horned headband, and a plastic pitchfork prop. I put it on as fast as I can, along with fishnet tights and thigh-high boots.
I’m a sexy devil.
