Page 57 of The Mafioso’s Bride

"Do you want firm pressure?" I ask.

"No. I want to speak without being touched."

"All right."

Giuseppe looks from my tardigrade pin to Giada's clothes. "This is what Corsini stole from me?"

"No one stole me," Giada says. "I did not choose you."

His lip pulls away from his teeth. "Your father chose for you."

"My father is dead. His choice has no authority."

"You think this man wanted the marriage? He followed an order."

Her shoulder brushes mine as she moves half a step closer. "Luca chose everything after the altar. I chose him today. I would never choose you."

Giuseppe looks at me. "You want gratitude for keeping a defective girl?"

I take one step toward him.

Giada raises her palm. I stop.

"I am not defective," she says. "You are cruel, and your alliance failed. Those are the relevant facts."

Giuseppe opens his mouth.

"I am finished," she says.

I turn to Mattia. "Take my wife to the kitchen. Stay outside the door."

Giada looks at me. "Will you kill him here?"

"No."

"Will you tell me what happens to him?"

"Every fact you ask for."

She walks out with Mattia. The door closes.

Giuseppe leans into the chair. "She controls you already."

"She gave you an answer. You tried to deny her the last sentence."

"What are you going to do?"

I crouch until our faces are level. "You will answer every question we ask about Tommaso, his businesses, and every person who supports him. When you have nothing left to give us, Dario will determine how long your death takes."

The blood drains from his face.

I stand and straighten my cuffs. "You were promised my wife. You leave this house with the certainty that she chose me. Your life is in my hands."

I open the door. Two soldiers enter and remove him. I wait until the front door closes before joining Giada in the kitchen.

Susan sets plain pasta on the island. Giada sits with her hands around her blue mug.

"Do you want the details?" I ask.