Page 183 of Forced Vows

But underbosses don't tease. So, what is that weird look on his face?

"No. The how is pretty easy to figure out. You have your minions and a devil's bargain with my uncle. The why is what I am trying to understand. I don't live here."

"You do now."

"No. I don't. I would have remembered agreeing to moving in with you. And there was never a discussion about that." I would remember.

No matter how intensely I studied for my final exams.

"Sev discussed it with your uncle."

My fiancé has to know those words are like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

Make that an already enraged bull.

My temper erupts like a cracked gas line jarred one too many times.

And I scream.

Not recognizable words. Just a sound. A long, furious shriek that hurts my throat. And I don't care.

He winces like maybe I hurt his ears.

Good.

He's not leaning against the jamb like he doesn't have another care in the world now.

Double good.

In fact, he looks worried.

Triple good.

Miceli puts his hand up. "Calm down mi dolce fiore. You knew you were going to move in with me eventually."

"Are you kidding me with this?! You already moved up the wedding date. At least then you had the intelligence to talk to me about it, even if you didn't listen the first time I said no."

"I won't make that mistake again. "

What mistake is he talking about?

Talking to me about what he's planning to do or not ignoring me when I say no?

I don't bother to ask. I'm so freaking angry right now, I can barely get words past the tightness in my throat "I don't want to move in here."

"You already have."

"No."

He takes a step toward me, and I take a step back. He puts both hands up in a stopping gesture or maybe a look I'm not dangerous gesture, but we both know that's a lie.

"It is too high risk for you to remain at the mansion. Both for you and your cousins."

I don't ask why my cousins because I understand collateral damage better than anybody.

"It's a volatile environment in la famiglia right now. Some high ranking men in the Cosa Nostra don't want Sev to be the next godfather. I'm his right hand and you're leverage against me in the wrong hands."

"Which you could have tried explaining before you moved all my clothes in here." I can only be leverage if I matter to him, right?

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