He puts his finger beneath my chin and lifts my face up towards his.
“I didn’t hear you.” His voice is mesmerizing.
“You are really special to me.” I repeat, staring right into his eyes, drowning in them, being pulled so deep into him I don’t know if I will ever be able to make my way out again.
He leans forward and presses his lips against mine.
His tongue slips into my mouth as we kiss.
I can’t help it. No matter what I do to stop it from happening my heart is making its own choices about him.
And now I accept the truth.
I’m, stupidly, falling for him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Tuomo
“Another meeting?” I pace in agitation up and down my living room. “We just had a meeting.”
Rufino is on the other side of the phone and he’s telling me I have to be at my father’s mansion just after breakfast.
“This meeting is important, Tuomo. What the fuck is going on with you? Why can’t you just do as you’re told and not argue about everything?” Rufino sounds exhausted. I run my fingers through my hair and stop pacing.
“Are you ok?” I ask, wondering why he doesn’t sound like himself.
“Oh - you fucking care, do you? Just be at the house at eleven.”
“Fine. I’ll be there. I was just—” He hung up on me. Fucking asshole always hangs up on me. I wouldn’t be bothered if I saw none of my brothers again - or my father. Especially my father.
Being a part of this family infuriates me.
I want freedom from them. I want them to leave me alone so that I can live my life - with Nerissa.
But, like the dutiful son I have to be, I head over to my father’s place at eleven.
Walking into the living room I can tell that something is off. My brothers, Masaccio, Rufino, and Celso are all seated already, and my father is standing behind his chair with his hands resting on the back of it. They are all looking at me. Everyone is silent, and their eyes are so locked onto my that I can feel the heat of their stares. No one looks comfortable, and that makes me very uncomfortable as well.
“What’s going on?” I ask, walking closer. “Has something happened? Where’s Dalila?” My heart pains when I realize she’s not here and I assume that something must have happened to her.
No one answers me. They just keep looking at me with their stupid, silent faces. “Where the fuck is Dalila?” I repeat.
“Sit down, Tuomo.” My father’s deep voice commands.
My heart is beating too fast now. Deep concern for my sister’s well-being is flooding my senses and causing anxiety to boil through me.
I watch them as I take a seat, the furthest one away from their circle of staring faces. I sit on the edge of the seat with my elbows resting on my knees as I lean forward. Waiting. Full of anticipation.
My father takes a deep breath.
“Your sister is at home. She’s fine. This isn’t about her.”
I press my hand against my chest, relief washing through me, but the tension remains. If it’s not about her, what is it about?
Pressing my lips together I force myself to match their silence. Whatever game they are playing - I can do the same.
My father turns towards me. His steel-gray eyes are dark, like a thunder cloud is brewing just beneath the surface of his gaze.