Page 39 of Bound in Debt
“The mysteries of genetics.” The hairs on the back of my neck lift and I look over her head, searching for the source of the unsettling feeling.
My fucking nephew.
“Speaking of, he’s coming over here right now,” I warn her, keeping my face relaxed. “Play it cool. Go along with the bullshit.”
“What’s in it for you?”
“You’re my ticket out of here. And I’m taking you with me.”
“No, you won’t,” she accuses under her breath. “You can’t stand me.”
Reaching for her hand, I lace my fingers with hers and look down into those mesmerizing eyes. “I promise. I won’t leave your side. You have no reason to trust me and I could fuck you over just as fast as Liam will. But I’m not looking for bad karma. I served my time, Victoria.”
“But—” I release her fingers just as Liam rounds her body to stand between us, making an awkward triangle. In his wrinkled green university sweatshirt, his hair mussed, he looks like he just rolled out of bed.
“Uncle Dante,” he greets flatly, visibly displeased to find me with his supposed fiancée. “How’s it going?”
“Things would be better if Miss Waldorf would work on her finger positioning,” I grumble, since Liam doesn’t know the first thing about musicianship and therefore can’t question my bullshit. “Aren’t you supposed to be in class?”
Liam’s brows snap together. “No. I came to take Victoria to breakfast.”
Talk about attempts to control a person—Liam is clearly trying to assess the situation and get Victoria to fall in line. Too bad my nephew already blew it. Victoria doesn’t seem like the sort of woman to forgive and forget.
The woman in question takes a deep breath as I glance down at her. “Make sure she isn’t late for my class. Refer to the syllabus, Miss Waldorf, if you’re unclear on my policy regarding tardiness.”
Then I take my leave and walk to the music building.
Victoria had better pick the right Moretti man if she wants to survive Angelo Lombardi.
Because I fight.
And Liam runs.
14
VICTORIA
I can barely eat, but I force myself to choke down my pancakes anyway.
Liam decided to make himself useful, taking me off campus to a small diner that serves the best blueberry pancakes in the world. I don’t want to be anywhere near school or Dante right now. His sharp dismissal made me feel small and insignificant, made it obvious that I’m nothing close to the kind of woman he’d choose to be with.
I’m young, dumb, and apparently not up to par.
I keep telling myself it was an act, that it wouldn’t matter even if it wasn’t. I shouldn’t care whether my professor wants to flip up my skirt.
It kind of makes getting married to Liam seem more reasonable. At least I know he wants to fuck me.
“Is something wrong with your breakfast?” Liam chimes in from across the table, shoving another forkful of waffles in his mouth as he eyes my barely-touched plate.
He knows.
Liam isn’t a total dumbass. He is fully aware that I’d rather jump out of a plane without a parachute than marry him.
“I’m not hungry,” I reply, shoving the plate away. The sticky-sweet smell of the syrup is starting to make my stomach churn.
“It’s not gonna be that bad, Vee. Once we’re married?—”
“Why don’t you cut the bullshit, Liam, and tell me exactly why you want to marry me?” I hold his gaze with a scowl. This is his chance to man up and tell me why he didn’t warn me about this mob shit. “I know it’s not because you love me.”
