Chapter 3- No Choice
“Marry you!” I stared at Dare like he’d grown a second head. “Have you completely lost your mind!”
The pounding in my temples intensified as I tried to process his ridiculous proposal. Through the door, I could hear my family’s voices getting more acitated by the second. But right now, Dante’s arrogant suggestion was the bigger problem.
“It’s the logical solution,” he said, straightening his tie with infuriating calmness. “Think about it. Lucia. Our families-
“No.” I cut him off, clutching the sheet tighter around me. “I don’t need to think about it. This isn’t the 1950s. Women don’t have to get married just because they.. fch heat rise to my cheeks. “Just because of one mistake.”
His dark eyes flickered with something that might have been amusement. “A mistake? Is that what you’re calling last nigh
Flashes of memory hit me his hands in my hair, his mouth on my neck, the way he’d whispered my name like a prayer. I pushed them away. “That’s exactly what it was. A mistake. One that never should have happened and will never happen again.”
“Lucia—” be started.
“Save for your campaign speeches,” I snapped.
“LUCIA!” Papa’s voice had taken on that quiet, deadly tone that meant trouble. I’m counting to three
Iscrambled for my dress, trying to maintain some dignity while keeping the sheet in place. Dante watched me with that infuriating smirk, making no move to help.
Two!”
“Tum around 1 hissed at him.
He raised an eyebrow. “Nothing I haven’t seen before, cara”
The door burst open with a crash that probably woke half the hotel. My father stood in the doorway, his imposing frame blocking most of the light from the hallway. Behind him. I could see my brothers‘ faces, each wearing a different shade of fury.
Time stopped.
Then everything happened at once.
Antonio lunged forward, his fist connecting with Dante’s jaw before anyone could stop him, Bur Dante barely moved, absorbing the hit like he’d been expecting it. Maybe he had.
“You bastard” Antonio spac, ready for another swing
Marco grabbed him, pulling him back. “Wait-”
“I’ll kill him,” Leo growled, stepping forward. “Tll fucking kill him.”
“Everyone calm down,” Dante said, wiping a drop of blood from his lip. His voice was steady, controlled. Like this was just another business
meeting.
I wanted to sercati.
Then Papa’s eyes found me, and I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole. I’d never seen him look so disappointed.
“Lucia.” Just my name, but it carried the weight of generations of family honor. “Get dressed”
Iclutched my dress to my chest, looking frantically around the room. But there was nowhere private to change, and everyone was still frozen in place, the air thick with tension
That’s when I saw them. The marks.
Purple bruises dotted my collarbone and disappeared beneath the sheet. Evidence of last night’s passion written on my skin in a way no amount of fabric could hide. My dress–backless, with a plunging neckline would hide nothing.
“L.” My voice cracked” “I need a minute to
“She needs privacy to dress,” Dante cut in smoothly. He d straightened to his full height, somehow managing to look commanding despite the bruise forming on his jaw. “Perhaps we could continue this discussion in my offer downstairs? Like civilized me?”
“Civilized“” Leo laughed darkly. “You lost the right in civilized” when you touched our sister.”
“Your sister,” Dante said calmly, “is a grown woman capable of making her own decisions.”
“Watch your mouth, Romano, Antonio snarled.
I found my voice. “Stop it! All of you! I’m not some.. some properly to fight over!”
“No,” Papa said quietly. “You’re my daughter. My only daughter. And this..” he gestured between Dante and me, “this requires a response.”
My unmach dropped. I knew that tone. It was the same one he used in family meetings when discussing terrory disputes or betrayals. The tone
12:55
Cliquer à No Cheer
that meam decisions had already been nude.
Papa, please
“Mr. Valentin, Dante interrupted, his voice taking on that snoods, politicom’s cadence be used in public. “Tassure you, I intend to doodle this sination with the respect it deserves, In fact, I’ve already proposed a colusina that would benefit both our families.
I saw the calculation in Papa’s eyes. The whech suming. Have you now?”
“No!” besploded. “This is insane! We’re not in some medieval drama where women have to marry to protect their honor! It was one night. One stupid, drunken night that meant nothing?
Dante’s eyes met mine, and for a split second, I saw something dicker in their depths. Something that looked almost like hart. But it was gone so fast I must have imagined it
“Your dress,” Papa said, ignoring my value. “It won’t hide..” he gestured vaguely at my neck, his face pained.
There a solution for that too,” Dante said smoothly, shrugging off his suit jacket. He held out to me, the gesture almost gallant. “This should cover everything until we can get you something mince appropriate
I wanted to refuse. To show the jacket in his perfect face. But he was right–coded in jou like he probably knew I would.
Always in steps ahead. Abery’s in coutel
God 1 lured him.
“Fine,” Israpped, stelting the jacket. “Note can everyour please leave so I com get dressed!“|
Two minites,” Papa said. It wasn’t a request. Then we’re all going to my office m–discuss this properly.”
There’s nothing to discuss! But they were already filing out, leaving just me and Dante,
He moved to follow them, then passed at the tone. “For sehat it’s worth,” he said softly. Tast night wasn’h nothing to me.”
Before I could process that, he was gour.
I stood there in the wreckage of my life, holding his jacket than smelled of sandalwood and power, and felt tears barn befund my eyes
This couldn’t be happening..
1 got dressed mechanically, my hands shaking as I pulled on my dress, Dane’s jacket settled over my shouklers like a weight. Like chains.
I thought of Dante’s proposal, Of the way he’d calculated it all so perfectly. Using ever this disaster to his advantage.
Classic Romani mote,
Hei myself slide, let the tears gather in my eyes
I’d dreamed of love my whole life. Of finding someone who would look in me the way my mother used to look at my father, before we lost her. Someone who would choose me for inc, and for alliances or appearances or family obligations
Instead. I’d gotten Dane Romano and his perfect political solaion
Topened the door.
