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“A couple of years ago, there was a storm. A small boat was shipwrecked, and the survivors managed to reach the island. A young couple. They broke into Zio’s house and lived there for months before anyone realised they were there. They lived a life of complete luxury and took full advantage of Salvatore’s assets until my uncle himself went there for a vacation and walked in on them fucking in his bed,” Max chuckled.
I gasped, my hand covering my mouth as I stared out at the little, rocky island in the distance. The first thought that crossed my mind was I would give anything for that to happen to me. To become shipwrecked on an island and disappear. If I had Max for company, that would be even better.
“What happened to them?” I asked curiously.
Max quipped one eyebrow up suggestively and sipped his coffee. Oh. Of course. They were killed.
“That’s not a funny story then,” I commented back as I looked out at the island again.
“I guess not,” he replied.
Silence fell upon us once again and I sighed deeply. “I don’t think many stories end happily these days. Especially not in our world.” I felt his gaze on me as I kept my eyes fixed forwards. Just knowing he was looking at me had my body heating up even more under the afternoon sun. “Why doesn’t Giovanni want to marry me?”
He huffed loudly and ran his hand over his beard repeatedly, which drew my attention from the horizon to watch that hypnotic action. I wondered what it would feel like to play with it myself.
I knew he should lie to me. He should tell me that his cousin wanted to marry me to stop me from running to my Papi like I am sure they think I would. So, I was surprised when he told the truth, “It’s not for me to say and there is more than one reason. But it has nothing to do with you. You should never think that his actions or words are personal.”
“But I don’t understand it. He agreed to it two years ago. I was prepped for this role for two years! Being taught how to be an obedient wife. Knowing where my place would be and what would be expected of me. For two years, I have wondered who my husband was, and I was stupid enough to think he wanted me. But I knew from the moment he met me that I was a disappointment. I had one job to do and I failed immediately,” I dropped my head and looked down at my hands as the last words choked out of me.
All my life, I have felt worthless. I was told from the moment I could understand it that my role was to look pretty. To seduce men and make Papi money. As soon as I grew boobs, my Papi shoved me in front of sleezy, old men and I had to bat my eyelashes and make them believe I was smitten with them until they signed the deals. I was relieved when Papi announced I was to be married two years ago, because at least I wouldn’t be used as bait by him anymore. Instead, I would be one man’s property and that was better than that.
Max turned his huge frame slightly and I gasped when he placed his hand on my chin and rotated my head to look at him. He kept his light grip on me as he stared into my eyes. “You did not fail at anything, Camilla. You can never be a disappointment. Gio is a fool if he doesn’t want you.”
My heart raced as my lips parted and his eyes flickered down to them, and I saw the desire as he glanced back up.Please. Kiss me. Just one kiss.I could resign myself to a life of misery if I could just feel those lips on me just once.
As if being electrocuted by his words, he quickly released my face and turned back to the sea, clearing his throat. I wanted to cry as I watched his jaw clench and he picked at the paper around his cup. I closed my eyes and inhaled a soothing breath.
“Do you want to marry him?” I swear his deep voice was laced with pain and it made my heart break. Did he feel it too? This thing between us or was it all in my head? Was I just latching onto the only man who had ever shown me an ounce of kindness?
“No,” I said immediately. He looked up at me and I held his gaze. “But I must. If I don’t, my Papi will kill me.”
His handsome features took on a menacing look as anger took control. I have seen that look on many men, many times in my life. But somehow, this didn’t scare me. His anger was not directed at me. “Why would he kill you? You are his only daughter!”
“And his only chance of gaining favour with your uncle. This alliance means more to him than I do. I have known that for a long time. If I am the one who screws it up. There will be no mercy, daughter or not.”
“Your Papi is an asshole.”
“You are not wrong,” I giggled sadly.
My father does not love me. Or my mamma. He never has. He has no respect for women. I have grown up being told I was not good enough from the moment I could walk. My hair is not blonde enough. My eyes are not blue enough. I am not skinny enough. My tits are not big enough. For my 16th birthday, when all my friends were given horses or jewellery, I was told I was having a boob job. Then came the hair extensions, the fake eyelashes, the Botox and lip fillers. And I can’t remember the last time I was allowed to eat a cheeseburger. What I would do for a cheeseburger! If I ever tried to refuse any of his orders, I was quickly put in my place by my papi's back hand.
“Can I trust you, Cami? If I tell you something that I know I should not and would get myself killed if my cousin or uncle found out, can I trust that you will not tell your Papi or anyone?” His beautiful eyes bore into mine and I wanted to scream. Hand on my heart, I would never betray this man. In the short time I have known him, he has been the only decent man I have ever met. He means more to me as a friend than Francesco does to me as a father.
“Yes. You can trust me. I swear,” I said quietly, not breaking our eye contact. He studied me for a few moments, clearly trying to decide if I was genuine or not. He nodded his head and looked out at the waves.
“Giovanni and I are going to get you both out of this marriage. We will find a way to keep the alliance that doesn’t involve you having to marry each other.”
My eyes grew wide and I felt panic rise inside me. No. They couldn’t. My papi would kill me. I am as good as dead if I do not marry Giovanni. Seeing the panic on my face, he turned his body and grabbed my hand in his.
“Listen Camilla. I will not let anyone hurt you. Giovanni, my uncle or your father. No matter what happens, no one will touch you.”
I shook my head as the tears started to brim in my eyes, the fear taking over. He could not protect me.
“No. Giovanni has to marry me. He must,” I panicked as my voice cracked.
“Hey! Look at me. We will find a way out of this where you are both free and my uncle and your father still get what they want. You said your father just wanted an alliance with Sal, because who wouldn’t want an alliance with the most powerful family in Mala Del Brenta? So, we just have to figure out a better deal for them both. But for the time being, you just have to play the part. Pretend everything is going well with Giovanni. Act like the loved-up fiancé to keep them off our backs.”
“And if it works? What then? I am to be sent back to my family and sold to the next highest bidder!” I shouted; the tears were streaming down my face now. I couldn’t help it. As much as the thought of marrying such a ruthless and cold man made my stomach knot, going back to the prison of my home was far worse.
