Page 19 of Mafia Mistress

“It’s because he hates me.”

“No, he doesn’t. You made him very angry last night, angrier than I’ve seen him in a long time. He was very worked up.”

“Must be my special charm at work.”

“It’s weird. He is usually very polite with women.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

“No, I mean it. He charms them. Puts them at ease. Women love my father.”

Of course they did. He was a gorgeous and powerful Italian man, and no doubt a beast in the bedroom. I remembered Katarzyna and her model-like perfection despite being in her late 20s or early 30s. Were all his girlfriends so beautiful?

“Your expression is strange,” Giulio asked, his eyes trailing over my face. “What are you thinking about?”

I was tipsy but not drunk enough to confess my troubling thoughts regarding his father. I went with a partial truth instead. “I’ve barely thought of escaping today.”

“That is good. We’ll make a Calabrian out of you yet.”

No, they wouldn’t. I’d rather die than be a mafia wife. “I like you, Giulio.” I shook my head sadly. “I don’t want to, but I do.”

“It will make it easier, Frankie. I’ll be a good husband to you. And some day, this will all be ours.”

“No offense, but I honestly hope you are wrong.” I finished my grappa and swayed on my feet. “Whoa.”

Giulio grinned. “I think it is time to go back.”

“Do we have to? I hate being cooped up inside. It was so nice to be out with the plants and trees today.”

“I’m afraid it is almost dinner time. My father will be expecting us.”

“Your father.” I made a dismissive sound in my throat. “He’s already put me in the dungeon. What will he do next if he disapproves? String me up on the rack? Strap me to a dunking bench?”

Giulio was unamused, his mouth flat and serious. “You do not want to ever find out, bella. Come on. You need food to soak up all this grappa.”

He took my arm and began leading me out of the tasting room. We said goodbye to Vincenzo and strolled along the dirt path to the castle. “I have decided that I love grappa,” I declared as I clung to Giulio’s arm. “And the estate isn’t so bad.”

“I am happy to hear it.” He was humoring me.

“I will honestly miss it when I go back to Toronto.”

“You’ve got to put an end to those thoughts. Unfortunately for both of us, Frankie, you are here to stay.”

My stomach turned over. I ran behind a fig tree and threw up.

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