Page 21 of Tainted Ties

He didn’t comment on my sarcasm. “Last night, I reviewed the contract and the only thing we have going for us is our safety. If the Mancini family sheds blood of the Bianchi family, the contract is broken.”

This wasn’t the news I hoped for. If that were true, then the contract would stand. Roman wouldn’t jeopardize his position in having me.

“I’ve been up all night badgering our father to fix this while trying to figure out a way for you to get out of this myself and it’s bad, Aurora.” My stomach dropped as Enzo continued, “If you do anything to jeopardize this unlawful agreement, blood will be shed.” Meaning the people I cared most about would suffer.

After a moment of silence, I spoke with distaste. “I leave for the courthouse soon.”

My heart pounded furiously as I pondered over the fact that I would be sharing vows with someone I wanted to stick a knife into.

“As a Bianchi, I can’t attend,” he sighed. “Don’t do anything that would add fuel to the fire. They’d rather kill you than be disrespected in any way.” A trickle of cold fear slid down my neck. If I defied Roman, who knew what else he’d do to me.

“I won’t make this easy for him and I sure as hell don’t care if our father is poor for the rest of his miserable life either. I’ll talk to you later, Enzo.” I hung up before he could respond and rang Irina.

“Hey, wh—”

I cut her off and got straight to the point; time was of the essence. “I’m taking a temporary leave of absence from work. Can you hold it down by yourself?”

“What are you talking about?” she asked incredulously.

I squeezed my eyes shut. “I’ll explain later.”

“I haven’t heard from you since youlandedin Italy.” Her sigh was audible. “What’s happening?”

“I’m in a bad situation,” I whispered. “I’m handling it though. Trust me, okay?”

There was a momentary pause. “Please be safe. I mean it.”

“Always. Love you, Rina,” I said, emotion thick in my throat.

“Love you. Call me when you can.”

I took a few deep breaths to gather my thoughts. If I played my cards right, I could save myself, even if that meant I had to tie myself to the devil for a short while.

* * *

The corridor was vacant as I waited for Roman to finish his call, the muffled sounds of his voice coming from the door opposite me.

After my conversation with Irina, Gianna dropped off three boxes in my room. The first box contained a white cocktail dress, the second a pair of white heels, and the third a jewelry box encasing diamond earrings, necklace, and bracelet.

The contents were luxurious and though I hadn’t expected anything from Roman, I knew he did it to keep up appearances. He wouldn’t want anyone to think his bride was less thanfashionable.

“You look… appropriate.”

I turned to find my future husband leaning against a wall with his long legs crossed at the ankles, hands deep in his pockets.

He was dressed in black from head to toe. The fabric clung to him, emphasizing his muscular arms and large thighs. The top buttons of his shirt were undone, reminding me of our meeting in the basement.

How long had he been standing there?

“You really know how to make a girl fall for you,” I pinched out with a tight smile.

The way his gaze trailed down my body leisurely—as if he didn’t care if I was aware of it—made my stomach clench from the repulsing warmth spreading everywhere his eyes landed. “Maybe not with my words.” His voice came out thick, wrapping around me in a heated embrace.

I was uncomfortably aware of how my body reacted to him and Ihatedit. I clasped my phone tighter, allowing the cool metal to bite into my skin.

“Words nor actions,” I ridiculed. “The only way someone could bear the likes of you is by force. Unfortunately, you chose me to be that someone.”

Roman slowly strode toward me, eating up the space between us in seconds.

---