Page 134 of The Devil Can Be Kind

It had been exactly those words on Marco’s recorder all those months ago and the look of contempt now clouding my father’s eyes was further proof of that very fact.

“You’ve been fed a load of bullshit and are brainwashed. It’s pathetic.” Leon argued, but I was no longer listening as he continued spuing bile.

White hot fury simmered beneath my skin, boiling me in rage. Not just with the irritating droning of my cousin, but anger with myself for falling back in step as the pathetic and meek Mannino I was raised to be.

I wasn’t that person anymore and it was time they realized it.

Without thinking and guided only by violence, my hand drifted from my lap and over to the man beside me, knowing what I would find tucked in the waistband of his trousers, I snaked my hand under Marco’s jacket until I touched the cool steel.

He didn’t move to stop me.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one reaching my limit with this conversation.

“You’ve only turned your back on us because he got you on yours. You’re nothing but a?—”

I slammed the handgun down on the table in front of me. The bang echoed around the room, cutting Leon off.

I let it rest against the table beside my hand. Clearly locked. Clearly loaded. The warning was unmistakable.

My father’s eyes flashed with indignation, but I didn’t care.

“I think it’s time you shut up, Leon.” I spat.

Unfortunately, my idiotic bastard of a cousin never did like following orders.

“You don’t get to—” he began again.

“Speak to her again and I will cut your fucking tongue out.” Marco’s menacing voice interrupted.

Leon’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he gulped, and I bit back a smile at his palpable fear.

“Enough of all this,” My father complained, gesturing with his hand dismissively and not paying any mind to the increasing tension in the room. “This marriage contract was signed three months ago. It still applies.”

“Adalyn hasn’t been a Mannino for over six months.” Marco shook his head derisively. “And to pre-empt your next move, she’s already engaged to someone else. Alegitimatecontract is already signed and in effect.”

My father’s face blanched with that information, as did mine. I had no idea what Marco was talking about.

“To who?” My father demanded, and I too, wanted to know.

Had he finally decided to marry me off?

My heart raced as the seconds ebbed away.

“Me.”

My father spluttered loudly, but I hardly even noticed.

Marco turned his head slightly. The hard onyx of his irises softened as they met mine, showing me just for a second the emotions that hid under the surface. Emotions that few alive ever got to see.

“Disgraceful. You must have a father’s consent for such things, and you certainly do not have mine!” My father argued, immediately enraged.

“That’s where you are wrong again,” Marco replied, turning his full attention back to the older man. “You know, it’s funny really…what you can do when you have no respect for tradition.”

My father seemed stunned by the comment, unsure how to respond. He decided to change tack instead.

“That may be true, La Torre, but you forget that by failing to hand her over you will create yet another enemy. Ricardo will kill you and your entire family if he doesn’t get what he wants.”

The name—hisname—sent a chill racing down my spine and I flinched. Marco’s grip on my thigh tightened in response.

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