Page 29 of Vow of Silence

“You keep your name,” Papa details. “As my only child, it’s important that you retain the Kuznetsov title.”

The one he threatened to strip from me just yesterday.

“We felt hyphenating the two names would be a little cumbersome,” Brigida says with a chuckle.

She isn’t half wrong.

“I also stipulated that while you will become an important voice at Benito’s table…” Papa hesitates, smirking at my husband-to-be—we’re not so stupid that we didn’t get the double innuendo. “He has no weight in issues that concernourbusiness. All family matters will remain behind closed doors and off-limits to Benito.”

My fiancé sighs on my right. I agree—it’s predictable but petty.

“Anything else?” I lift my glass.

“Neither party will inherit a single dime from the other’s legacy.”

I shrug a dismissive shoulder, lips downturned. I can see the reasoning behind that. It’s an odd request frommyfather, though, when he’s the first to throw others off the ladder for better purchase on the next rung.

“Our requests,” Gennaro starts, taking his wife’s hand, “were that you both decide on a new home where you can make fresh memories, free of the ghosts of your past.”

Nice. That, at least, seems like a logical move.

“We also detailed that any children born in the marriage will forfeit their right to the De Santis empire.”

Ignazio smiles wide at this news.

I glare at the jerk. He doesn’t deserve to get off on the idea of my children being treated like mongrel pests. So, what if their mother is a Kuznetsov? The kids would still be a product of a strong De Santis man.

“That seems a little harsh.” I can’t believe I defend the honor of my hypothetical children. “They can’t help who their mother is.”

“They can’t,” Brigida agrees. “But we’re strictly traditional in our family.”

Yeah, sure. And that’s why Gennaro took the helm, not Ignazio.

“In contrast to your father’s wishes,” Gennaro states, side-eyeing my old man. “I would appreciate it if you took an active role in Benito’s dealings within the family business.” He nods toward his eldest son. “I’m sure you are aware he is mute these days.” The statement pains the Don to make.

I look at the handsome man beside me, again awed by his strength to live with this, knowing that the person responsible hasn’t been dealt their dues. “I do know, yes.”

“He would have you believe otherwise,” Gennaro says with a hint of humor, “but he could use the strong voice from time to time.”

Benito rolls his pretty eyes, slumping back in the seat. It amuses me no end. My father would have me kept quiet and submissive behind locked doors, but here is our strongest adversary requesting I help his son. What a goddamn contradiction.

“Nastasya.” Brigida rises from her seat. “Let us leave the men to talk politics.” She offers me her hand.

It’s not the kind of gesture I have a right to refuse. I finish my drink and set the glass on the side table. Benito watches me carefully when I join his mother, his focused gaze following us from the room. It takes a full minute after I’m out of sight for the warmth his attention gives me to slide away.

“Girl to girl,” Brigida starts, leading us toward the back of the house. “Do you love my son?”

I choke on my tongue. “Pardon?” They organize us to marry because my father demands proof that they don’t want me dead, and she dares to ask if I have feelings for Benito.

“I know your history with him. Gennaro told me.” The matriarch stares straight ahead, our heels clacking down the polished floor towards her favorite spot—the patio. “You will find your husband confides many things between the bedsheets that he should otherwise keep to himself.” She smirks. “They tend to let down their guard after you relieve them of their… tension.”

Jesus, take the wheel. My future mother-in-law has dived into the deep end of sex talk already.

“You never let on.” All the time Benito and I snuck around, I never once had an inkling she knew.

“Oh, I didn’t know back then.” She guides me through the doors and towards an outdoor setting backlit with floodlamps in the surrounding garden. “Gennaro informed me after.” She takes a deep breath, waiting for me to take a seat before dropping, “Benito grew quite despondent when you broke it off, and I must admit, I was disgusted that you’d abandon him like that in his most vulnerable hour.”

I have to turn my head away and blink several times to believe what I just heard. “WhenIbroke it off?”

---