AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Totally unexpected. As a person, his character is difficult to pin down.
While he eats, he asks me to talk about myself. I tell him about my job, about the brunch he’s having, about my friends and my life on the island. I don’t think he’s genuinely interested in me even when he seems to be, but I appreciate the conversation.
After we eat, I make an espresso and serve it on the terrace at the other end of the table where it’s clean. The service staff will come soon, and I have to leave, but there’s a part of me that liked spending an hour with Severio before the Mancinis take off. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to have them return.
I’m scooping out a kiwi when Severio says, “There you are.”
I turn at the same time that Gio walks in. He’s wearing a navy-blue suit and a menacing smile.
Oh my God. This is the worst. I’m so embarrassed to have been caught out here with Severio in my robe, and by the man I was supposed to marry yesterday.
Gio gives me a disproving look, his gaze lingering on my chest. He’s probably viewing the bandages over the tattoo, but years of unwanted attention from creepy men staring at my large breasts with longing makes me pull my robe tighter around my neck.
“Cristina,” he says. “What are you still doing here?”
Good question. One I struggle to answer now that I understand why Severio kept me here all night and most of the day. He wanted Gio to see us together. He particularly wanted him to see me relaxed and in a robe, because it sends a message of intimacy. I was smiling as if I was having a good time with his nephew.
Severio orchestrated it.
I’m the fool who thought he was enjoying the food along with my company.
8
THE OTHER RITUAL
SEVERIO
My wretched heart swells with joy at the look on my uncle’s face when he finds his fiancée having brunch with me while dressed in one of the resort’s robes. Her long, thick brown hair cascades down her upper body and is mussed, looking very much like she just woke up. Which she did.
Cristina’s cheeks turn bright red, and she lowers her gaze. “I crashed here last night.”
Gio takes a seat at the other end of the table. “Where here, exactly?”
I lean back, relishing their domestic argument.
“In the spare bedroom,” she lies.
She’s a terrible liar, and he picks up on it.
“We’re through,” he says.
Cristina looks up. “We were through yesterday. Actually, the day before when you explained how you couldn’t marry me because your nephew said so.”
Gio grinds his teeth. “You better watch your mouth. Our deal is off.”
Cristina yanks the engagement ring from her finger and throws it at his chest, then pushes back her chair. “You two have a nice life.”
“Sit,” I say, but I know she won’t listen. I catch her wrist and tug her back. Her lips press, her chin quivers, and I think she might cry. I want her angry, not sad, so I squeeze. “I have something I need you to do.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “I think you’ve done enough.”
Hardly. My uncle is still breathing. “It’s Order business.”
“I don’t want another tattoo.”
“This is a ritual where I answer for my lack of oversight.”
She appears as if she’s considering what I asked. I don’t want to have to force her to remain sitting, which is what I’ll do if she tries to leave. This Order business is unavoidable, and her presence is mandatory.
