Page 2 of Twisted Vows

If anything, it settles deeper, a small stone lodged under my ribs.

My safety net is gone. And it will be up to me not to get—heels click behind me, stopping the thought.

Of course, she would show up now.

I straighten and slowly walk inside the house. Donatella Bianchi is dressed in a sleek black dress that matches the severity of her expression. Silver hair pulled back tight, not a strand out of place. Her eyes zero in on me, and I know she saw the tear I let slip.

“Already falling apart?” Her voice is icy, a blade slicing through the air.

I wipe my face with the back of my hand. “Just got something in my eye.”

“Tears won’t save you from what’s coming, Ari. You need a spine, not sentiment.” She plucks leaves from the flower arrangement, dominating the table in the middle of the foyer. Every movement is sharp and controlled.

“I know, Ma.”

There’s a crack forming deep inside, and I wonder when it will break open. My usual sharp retorts have disappeared, and all that’s left is a well of unfamiliar sadness.

“The party to celebrate André is tonight, and you will not embarrass the family, Arianna.”

I study the woman who’s always been more knife than mother. “Given that I had a lobotomy last Tuesday, I think it’s safe to say I’ll be the most well-behaved woman at the party.”

“You are not amusing.”

“Add it to the list of my failures,” I retort sharply. “It has to be at least two pages by now.”

“Why must you be so difficult?” she sighs, disdain thick in her voice.

“I learned from the best.”

Her mouth pinches tightly as a housekeeper appears, taking the leaves my mother holds out. Does she know the years of cold disapproval have made me exactly who I am?

Fighting the desire to snap back and give her the satisfaction of knowing how much she gets to me, I dig my nails into my palm.

“The man who has agreed to marry you will be there. Don’t do anything to change his mind.”

“Act like a puppet?” I snort. “Smile, nod, and keep my mouth shut?”

“Exactly,” she snaps, her composure unwavering. “None of us asked for this, Ari. We do what we must for the family.” Her tone is icy. “You will behave, or there will be consequences.”

“Consequences?” I arch an eyebrow. “Like what, another arranged marriage? Or maybe you’ll send me off to a convent this time?”

“Don’t test me,” she warns, her gaze hardening. “You may think you’re invincible, but you’re not. The Cosa Nostra has rules, and you will follow them.”

It’s the same speech I’ve heard a thousand times, but today, it feels heavier, like it might finally crush me. “Understood.”

She glares as though hoping to discover a crack in my armor. But I’ll never give her the satisfaction.

I keep it locked tight. She’s taught me well.

“Good.” She heads for the door, her heels clicking like a metronome, keeping time. “Don’t forget it.”

“No chance of that,” I mutter quietly as she disappears from sight.

I know there’s more to life than being a pawn in the family’s game...and if I’m lucky, I’ll discover it before it’s too late.

***

Many hours later, my uncle’s estate looms before, with pillars and chandeliers casting their usual golden glow.

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