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“Won’t you miss me?”
Alessandro doesn’t meet my eyes. “I’ll be busy. Making sure this city is safe for us. For our children.”
His words sting, even though he’s just verifying what I knew about our relationship from the very beginning. I’m not a partner to him, I’m a baby-making device. I don’t know how I let myself hope for more than that. Because the sex was good? Because I liked it when he spanked me?
Pathetic. I should have known better.
My voice comes out harsh, almost mocking. “Is that really why you wanted to marry me? To send me away when it’s convenient for you, and then bring me back when it’s time to make babies? Was that really worth all the fucking effort? Oh wait, of course it was. You got to take over the Gagliardi family. What could possibly be more important than that?”
Alessandro’s dead expression morphs suddenly into a mask of rage. “Wantedto marry you?Wantedto marry you? I neverwantedto marry you. That’s what mygrandfatherwanted. I did what I was told.”
My eyes sting as salty tears pour down my cheeks. That shouldn’t hurt so much to hear, but it cuts me to my core. Somehow, I actually let myself believe that he desired me forme. “I guess that makes two of us who didn’t want to get married. Congratulations, you’ve made two people miserable.”
His lip twitches at my words, but I can’t understand the emotions behind it. He doesn’t respond, doesn’t evenlookat me.
I can’t resist the opportunity to get in another dig. No use keeping anything hidden now. “I guess I never reallyhad a chance, did I? Considering you’ve been planning to marry me since I was a fuckingkid. At least you waited for me to become an adult before you swooped in.”
He stands up furiously from the bed. “I don’t know what bullshit story you’ve concocted in your head, and I don’t care.”
“Are you really going to insult me by denying it?”
“Ava, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Like I would believe you,” I snap. “As though you’ve ever been open or honest with me a day in your life.”
He throws up his hands. “Fuck this. You have until tomorrow to pick a state, or I’m picking for you. Pack your goddamn bags.”
Alessandro stomps out of the room. A minute later, I hear the dullthunkof his throwing knife embedding itself in its target. Or maybe the wall.
I scream into my pillow, helpless, trapped, and lost.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Ava
I don’t say much to Dominic as he drives me to the airport the next day. It hurts that Alessandro wouldn’t even do it himself, but I know that isn’t his friend’s fault. I wonder if he knows about the fight we had. Do they talk about things like that?
“Fly safe,” says Dominic, pulling my suitcase out of his trunk as he drops me off. “To wherever you’re going.”
“Thanks,” I reply dully. “I’m sure I’m going to have lots of fun in—”
“Don’t tell me,” he interrupts me quickly. “No one but Alessandro is allowed to know.”
“Jesus, you don’t think that’s a littleover-the-top?”
I’m relieved that his reaction is more amused than serious. “It doesn’t matter what I think. He gave a clear order.”
“Oh, come on! He’s being ridiculous and you know it.”
“Maybe. You could take it as a compliment.”
“That he’d rather send me to a different state than have me at home?”
Dominic takes a deep breath. “Think what you want. But I’ve never seen him like this before.”
“Like what?”
He closes the trunk, then shakes his head. “Have a good flight, Ava.”
