Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
My older brother’s sitting behind his desk as we enter. Allegra lingers near the door, looking very uncomfortable. Renzo’s eyes narrow at her for a moment before falling on me. His gaze is sharp and suspicious.
“Gian,” he says in greeting. “Why are you two here together?”
“I have news.” I don’t sit down. I figure this is better from a position of strength. No apologies, no pleading. “We got married.”
He doesn’t react. He looks from Allegra to me and back again, his frown deepening. “You’re not joking,” he says.
“No, I’m not. I understand she was meant to marry Saul, but neither of them wanted that. I decided to step in and get it done.”
“Get it done,” he murmurs, his expression caught between confusion and anger. “Does Saul know?”
“No, he doesn’t.”
“I’m going to be honest here. I don’t know what the fuck to make of this.”
“I understand it complicates things, but this doesn’t change your plans. Allegra is my wife now, which means the Rinaldo and the Rossi families are in a long-term alliance. It just won’t be Saul anymore.”
Renzo takes a slow, deep breath. “Do you have any idea how hard it was to sell her father on Saul after what I did? He was fucking pissed. He went from getting a Don to an underboss. Still a good match, but not what he wanted. And now he’s supposed to settle for the third brother.” Renzo’s mouth twitches as anger begins to win out. “What the fuck were you two thinking?”
“It seems impulsive, but we’re a good match.” I gesture for Allegra to join me. She’s hesitant, confused about where this is going, but walks closer. “She and I work well together. We’re in love, Renzo.”
Allegra stiffens. She didn’t expect this and I didn’t tell her for a reason. She would’ve fought like hell against this plan, but it’s the only thing that makes any sense.
I can’t tell Renzo about our real deal. I can’t even tell him about my own personal motivations. But I still need to give him a reason for why I’d do something so stupid. If he can understand why I blew everything up, then maybe he can accept it.
This is the only story that really works. It helps that Renzo should be particularly sympathetic, given his own past.
“You’re in love,” he repeats, staring hard at me, before looking at Allegra.
She’s stiff by my side. I feel her staring at me, but I don’t return the look. Instead, I take her hand and yank her closer, then drape my arms across her shoulders. I wait for her to say something, to object, to tell Renzo that it’s not true, but she keeps her mouth shut. Only remains like a statue at my side, touching me only as much as necessary.
“I know it’s sudden, but the heart wants what the heart wants.” I flash him a knowing smile. “Like I said, this shouldn’t change your plans.”
He leans forward and pushes himself to his feet. He’s not looking at me anymore—his eyes glare into Allegra. “Is this true? Do you love my brother?”
She doesn’t move. Barely reacts. I feel her breath quicken. “I think—” she starts then stops herself.
“You think?” he prompts, looking skeptical.
“Yes,” she says, blurting out the word like she’s clearing blood from her throat. “Yes, I do.”
Good girl. I’ll pay for this later. I can tell she’s livid, but I’m hoping it’s coming off as embarrassment to Renzo.
He watches us for a few more seconds before shaking his head. The disappointment is etched into every inch of his body. “We’ll have to tell Saul.”
And that’s when I know I’ve got him. When he uses that we. He’s talking like he’s a part of the story now, and even if he doesn’t realize it yet, I know he’ll back this play.
All because of true love.
If only he knew. Allegra despises me to her very core, and this is only going to make it worse.
But it’s necessary.
“We should do it now,” I prompt him. “If we wait, it’ll only be worse.”
He combs his fingers through his hair. “You’re right. Fuck, Gian, I never would’ve expected this from you. All those years out in Vegas and I never once heard of you with a woman. Now suddenly, you two are married and apparently in love.”
I clear my throat as Allegra frowns up at me. “What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants.”
“Stay here. Saul’s with Carlo right now, but I’ll bring them in and we’ll discuss what the hell we’re going to do.”
I grunt in reply as Renzo leaves. The moment he’s out of the room, Allegra pulls away.
“What the hell were you thinking?” she snarls at me, putting space between us. “You told him we’re in love.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.”
“We’re not even close. What the fuck, Gian?”