Page 69 of Shark Bait

“The marriage was all his idea,” Alessio says. “I simply want it to be official so I can protect you both. Or however many of you there are now.”

Troy frowns. “But you are making him marry me.”

“Correct,” Alessio says.

“I’m confused,” she says.

“You’re a witness,” Alessio tells her. “Although Miro says you saw nothing, we all know that’s not true. And even if it were true, I can’t allow you to breathe after you’ve witnessed him working for me. He knew that, so when the pickup chopper arrived, he called me and told me it was him plus one, and the other one was his wife.”

Troy gapes.

I clear my throat and nod at Troy. “It’s true.”

“I want you to become that wife,” Alessio says. “I want it now because I want to forget how my most trusted friend lied to me and brought a witness into my family, my house, to dine with my sister and my nephew.”

“What if she refuses, hm?” Valerina asks. “What are you going to do?”

“What I must,” Alessio answers without blinking.

“You touch her and it’ll be the last thing you do.” I lay my head on Alessio’s shoulder. “I mean it.”

Troy’s wiping her nose and eyes, crying harder again. “Oh man, how did this get so messed up?”

“It’s not your fault,” Valerina says.

“It’s none of our faults,” Alessio says. “But we are here nonetheless, so let us do what needs doing. Let’s get you two married, and I promise you nobody in the world, not even your government, your agencies, your court systems, can deliver the justice Shark will deliver on your behalf. But in order to do that, he needs my resources, and I can’t give him anything until you become his wife.”

Troy looks at me, and I lift my head. “It’s true. If the two of us, or however many of us there are now, decide to go rogue, it’ll be hard to avenge you. Maybe not even possible.”

“None of those are good enough reasons for her to marry,” Valerina says.

Alessio cuts his sister a look. “Expecting me to drop my vigilance about the safety of the people who are important to me is absurd.”

Valerina huffs. “Then you will do it on your own. I’m leaving the moment we get home.”

“You will stay in the house.”

“Make me!”

Alessio curses. Troy and I exchange looks, both of us remaining quiet, trusting that the Angelini siblings will sort out our problems. If Alessio folds, it will be for his baby sister, and Val is using every weapon she has at her disposal.

“Alessio,” Valerina starts again, calmer this time. “This woman’s been through so much, and forcing a marriage on her feels wrong. I can’t be a part of it.”

Alessio scrubs his jaw and glances at me. “And you, Brutus? Anything you want to add? Besides telling me you’ll kill me for this girl?”

I shrug. “Sorry.”

He sighs and swats at us dismissively. “Fine, no wedding. But if either of you comes crying to me when she rats you out, I’ll be in my villa in Monaco surrounded by an army of guards nobody can penetrate.”

“Can’t be this weekend,” Valerina says. “Tatiana is going there. Picking up the keys tomorrow.” She sighs. “Nobody is asking you to change your mind. Or for Miro to change his in regard to Troy becoming his wife. I’m only asking you to give them more time.”

Alessio is bitter because I lied about having a wife and brought in a witness, and he can tell I like Troy and that I found someone more important to me than his friendship. He’s dealing with it from the perspective of a jealous best friend. In a world where men are made fun of, labeled, and ostracized for having strong friendships, I appreciate his struggle.

“I can give them time, Valerina, but next time we disagree, you will speak with me in private.”

Once Alessio lets go of the demands, the proverbial pressure in the carriage releases, and we all relax our shoulders and exhale, relieved that’s now over and done with.

“I’m sixteen weeks pregnant,” Valerina says.

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