Page 51 of Third Degree

Julian and Tatum joined us, their presence bringing an added warmth to the moment. Elio embraced them both, and with a playful wink, Tatum whispered in my ear, “You guys look perfect together.” It seemed that my secret wasn’t much of a secret at all.

Maeve walked over to me on the dance floor while Elio was spinning me around.

“Hey, your phone has been blowing up at the table. It’s your dad calling.” She held the phone up, and I saw my dad’s name blinking on my phone. “I wasn’t being nosy, I swear. It just kept going.” She shrugged in apology.

My heart immediately lurched in my chest. I could feel the build-up of my anxiety, and I tried to take my centering breaths.

“No, it’s okay, thank you.” I looked over at Elio. “I’m sorry. I should take this.”

Something I couldn’t quite read flashed over his face, and he didn’t say anything but also didn’t let me go.

“Earth to Elio.” I stood there waiting and finally got his attention. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost from his past. “You good?”

“Sorry.” His face softened. “Go take the call.”

I rubbed his hand fondly before offering a sympathetic smile. Then I walked outside the big reception ballroom that we were in and settled in the long hallway before calling my father back.

“Papa.” He often checked up on me, and I wasn’t always sure if it was well-intentioned, but it was hard for me to think it wasn’t. I’d just heard from my mother earlier this week, though, and it was surprising to hear from them back-to-back.

“I have good news, sweet girl.” He sounded pleasant, almost… nice?

“Okay?” I half questioned because I had no idea where this was going to go.

“It is time for you to come home. I will have Tomas come back and help you pack up because, in one month’s time, we will be hosting your wedding at the house in Chicago.”

“What?!” I screamed through the hallway, thankful that the ambient noise of the reception in the other room covered up my shriek.

“We have found you a nice, eligible—”

“I heard you the first fucking time. What about the deal?”

“That is the best news, sweetness. The deal is considered complete, so you can come home early.”

“I can’t…” I trailed off, thinking about Elio.

We never got the chance to plan for our future. Yet again, it was being cut off by these outside forces that constantly controlled my life. Controlled us.

“You will. There is no choice here. This is a nice, eligible man. He will connect a lot of ties for the family.”

“But Papa—”

“You are single, no? You never found anyone to marry? You are old now in our world, so we must take this deal while we have it.”

“Papa—” I started.

“It’s not a question. Finish up what you need to do there. This deal will happen, and the wedding will take place in one month’s time.”

“And nothing I can say or do will stop this?” I hated how desperate I sounded while begging.

“No,” he snapped. “This is how it has always worked in our family. You were lucky. You got to live in a world that most of us never could dream of. Take those things you have learned and bring them back here.”

“Who is it?” I asked, wanting to at least know the name of the suitor who was going to be my husband in a month.

“That is part of the allure and surprise, sweetness. Until his name is signed on the dotted line, you won’t know, and honestly, it doesn’t matter. It is who it is and that is it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised, though.”

He laughed somewhat maniacally. I knew there was nothing in this world that was going to make this surprisingly pleasant for me. Nothing.

“See you in a month’s time,” he added before quickly hanging up the phone.

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