Page 117 of Monster in Disguise

"Andyou really think Sisi will go with it?" I frown and start pacing. Marcello had suddenly gotten a call from Benedicto, who invited himself over.

"I had a brief talk with her and I explained that we need to monitor the Guerras to see if they had anything to do with the nun's murder. She wasn't too against it and said she would be on her best behavior."

"Did you also warn her about their son?"

"I told her to be kind to him," Marcello says and moves over to put on his tie.

"I'm still worried. I don't want Claudia around when they get here."

"Agreed. We'll see if Mrs. Evans can stay for a while longer."

"Signor Lastra, Signor Guerra and his family are here," Amelia knocks to announce.

Marcello gives a tight nod and offers me his arm.

In the drawing room, we greet the guests, and I watch awkwardly as we try to engage in conversation. The topics are very mundane, but I can't help but feel out of my element. The only thing I can think of is the finger I'd found in the soup and the threats... to have these people in my house is a little unsettling, to say the least.

Marcello doesn't seem too enthusiastic about this either, as he listens to Benedicto talk with half an ear.

A short while later, and after some more tedious discourse, Sisi comes down.

"Good afternoon," she says, and Marcello proceeds with the introductions.

"My son, Rafaelo, is a little shy. But I hope you can get along," Cosima chimes in, giving her son a pat on the back. The poor boy seems to shrink away at the contact, focusing his attention on Sisi instead.

"P-p-pleas... pleased t-t-to m... m-meet you," he extends his hand, and Sisi shakes it with a kind smile.

"Lastra, why don't we let the women and the children do their thing and we can discuss some business," Benedicto interjects, rising to his feet.

Marcello reluctantly nods, but he doesn't seem too happy about the notion. He gives me a brief, sad smile before leaving.

"Assisi, what a lovely name you have," Cosima starts, her voice a grating, saccharine tone. She looks Sisi up and down, a little frown marring her features. She quickly schools her expression and continues with pleasantries.

"Thank you," Sisi replies, her pose and manners without reproach. Still, this is not the Sisi I know.

"Now, tell me, what are your thoughts on marriage?" Cosima probes further.

"M-M-mother," her son interrupts, "S... stop."

"Nonsense, Raf," she waves her hand and turns again to Sisi.

"I haven't thought about it since I was supposed to take my vows before I left Sacre Coeur," she replies cordially, even though I see she's not pleased with this line of interrogation.

"There's enough time for that, dear," Cosima glibly remarks. "Why don't you two go over there and get to know each other better." She fakes a smile as she points to the other couch at the end of the room.

"But—" I'm about to intervene, not liking this. Cosima, though, speaks again.

"Don't worry, Catalina, they will still be within our sight. Nothing improper will happen." She tries to joke, but I'm not amused. Mostly because I don't trust anyone in their family.

I reluctantly agree and Sisi and Rafaelo take a seat in a farther corner.

"Now we can also talk uninterrupted, no?" She smiles knowingly, as if this was what she intended from the very beginning.

"Right," I say, wariness in my tone.

"I have to ask. I've been curious ever since I met you. Why did you marry Marcello? Couldn't you have found yourself someone else? I mean," she studies me. "You're a pretty girl. I'm sure you could have found someone else to disregard," she pauses, as if she's looking for the right words. "Whatever they needed to disregard." She smiles awkwardly. Yeah, that is definitely the best euphemism I've heard so far.

"I wanted to marry him," I answer with as much confidence as possible. Truth be told, I don't know if there were any other options. But the moment Enzo had mentioned Marcello, I'd jumped at the chance. I don't know why I'd wanted him so much, but I think he left a deep impression on me when I'd seen him at Sacre Coeur.

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