Page 18 of Vicious Union

However, I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of knowing that.

“I can’t wait for you two to get married,” Francesco says. “My daughter, growing up before my eyes.” He hugs her closer.

Caterina laughs awkwardly. “I’ve been growing up for a while now, Dad.”

“I know. But it’s still hard to see.”

“Your daughter is a lot more grown than you might realize, Mr. Russo.” I can’t help myself.

Caterina throws a glare at me before smiling at her dad.

“I don’t doubt it,” Francesco says, not even understanding my meaning. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds to talk. I have some people I want to catch up with.” He walks across the yard, leaving Caterina and me alone.

She smiles after her dad, but once he’s gone, her smile slips, and she goes back to glaring at me. “I can’t believe you said that,” she hisses.

“Why? It’s true, is it not? You’re growing up. Maybe your father should recognize that. Like how you sneak out to the club and flirt with men who aren’t your future husband.”

She scoffs. “You’re impossible. And hypocritical. I was just having fun. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. Stop punishing me for being a grown woman.”

“Fine. I’ll stop, but you have to promise to stop seeing other men. We’re getting married in a few weeks. You can’t do that anymore.”

“Fine. I won’t flirt with other men. But you can’t stop me from going out to dance. I’m going to live my life, Emilio, whether you want me to or not. You can join me if you want. It would make everything a whole lot easier if you did.”

“I’m not going to do that. You’re not going to embarrass me. You’re going to become the wife I want.”

She frowns up at me. “Why are you so freaking stubborn?”

Before I can respond, Gabriella rushes over. “Oh my god. Caterina. We finally meet.” She throws her arms around Caterina before she can even get a word in.

Caterina looks stunned before smiling and hugging Gabriella back. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Once they pull apart, she says, “It’s nice to know not everyone in Emilio’s family is a hardass.”

Gabriella laughs. “Yeah, that’s Emilio for you. Resident hardass. He takes after our older brother, Rocco, who’s also a resident hardass.”

“And me?” Massimo asks, joining the conversation with Ophelia. “Am I a hardass, too? Because I’ll have you know I do indeed have a nice, hard ass.”

Ophelia makes a sound in the back of her throat and gently pats Massimo on the chest. “My husband is just being silly.”

He winks at down at her. “When am I not?” He extends his hand out to Caterina. “Massimo. Nice to meet you. This is my wife, Ophelia.”

Caterina smiles at them in greeting. “I’m already feeling welcomed. Thank you so much. It’s been hard, you know, since Emilio hasn’t been the most welcoming.”

“Not surprising,” Massimo says. “Emilio was always the sternest out of the four of us.”

“I’m the kindest,” Gabriella adds, shrugging like what she just said was no big deal.

I have to push down my desire to not snap at my sister. She’s just as full of herself sometimes as Caterina is.

“I can be kind,” I say, feeling the need to defend myself.

Gabriella and Massimo look at me before bursting out into laughter. It’s not shocking when Caterina quickly joins them.

“What’s so funny?” Lara asks, walking over with Rocco.

“We were just making fun of Emilio,” Gabriella says.

“Your favorite pastime,” Lara responds before turning to Caterina. “Lara. Rocco’s my husband. We can’t wait for you to join the family.”

Caterina shakes her hand. “I can’t wait either. With how nice you guys seem, I want to be a part of your family already.” She pauses. “Well, except for Emilio, that is. Do you have any other brothers for me to marry.”