Page 59 of Something Borrowed

“What the fuck is fucking wrong with you?” he screams into the phone.

“So, no congratulations then?”

“You fucking idiot you’ve started a war. Her father is going full force with the threats. He’s demanding she come home and that a divorce be filed.”

“Interesting. I haven’t heard from him.”

“Because you never answer your phone you fucking selfish asshole.”

“You would expect the guy to want to talk to his new son-in-law.”

“I’m going to kill you.” He blurts out.

“Ye, ye, listen. Can you give her father a message for me?”

“Fuck off, you inconsiderate prick. I’m not your errand boy. But if you don’t give his daughter back to him, I will come down there myself and rip her from your hands to return her to where she belongs.”

“She belongs with me.” I snarl.

“She belongs with her father. Our families are enemies.”

I slam the phone down, agitated and pacing faster.

“Who was that?” her voice makes me pause.

“My brother.”

“What did he say?”

“He’s still angry. your father has been threatening my family.”

Verity sighs. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of us.” She says, walking towards me and wrapping her arms around my waist.

“No one is going to get hurt, sweet thing.”

“You can’t promise me that. You do not know what my father is capable of.”

I know what her father is capable of. If you know our world you understand how dark it can get.

Still in my hand my phone rings again.

“Masaccio—” I complain, but when I look down at the screen, I see it’s not him. An unknown number. Someone not in my contact list.

I answer, pressing the phone against my ear.

“Who is this?”

“Where the fuck is my daughter, Rufino Vece?”

“Good evening, Luca A’Vara. It’s nice to speak to you. I understand you’ve been speaking to my brothers.”

“Where the fuck is Verity?”

“My wife? She’s home with me. Where she belongs.”

“She’s not your fucking wife. There is no way in hell that marriage is legit.”

“It’s legitimate. I can have a framed copy of the marriage certificate sent over to you if you like.”

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