Page 56 of Scarlet Angel

“Have you watchedBridgerton?” I stifle a laugh.

“Do I not look the type?”

A girlish giggle escapes, and I clamp it down.

“I live on an English estate. I love a show with spice.”

My fingers cover my grin. I can’t imagine this man watching a romance.

“Lina,” he explains, grinning. “She’s fond of the telly.”

His shoulders lift, a nonchalant shrug, and as his shoulders fall, so does the mood in the room.

“In our world, we don’t have a marriage market. It’s not really given a name. But that’s what it feels like. Only it’s not so much about choice; it’s rather strategic. And there’s this idea that you always want to climb higher, the next level in the organizational hierarchy, so you want to be matched higher and higher.” I hold my hand up, visualizing a tiered cake with only the tip top being delightfully rich.

“How’s that work out for everyone?” He slouches in the chair and kicks one leg back over the other one on the ottoman.

“Horribly.”

He chuckles and I grin. It’s not a cheerful topic, but it’s a relief to talk with someone who will not counter with all the benefits of such an archaic system.

“Your English. It’s as good as Willow’s. Mild accent. Is that part of the social climb?”

“Oddly enough, no. At least, not how you mean. Uncle Alessio requires everyone to speak English on his property. He considers Titan Shipping to be a family-run operation, and speaking English is important for interacting with clients around the world.”

“If it was all about his business, I’d think Russian.”

“They don’t expect us to speak Russian. For a long time, Russians were competitors. It’s relatively recent that they’ve become clients, and only for my uncle. Many clients don’t speak Italian. English is an intermediary. Plus, given we’re a coastal family, many of the Lupi Grigi own businesses that cater to tourists. English is an asset.”

“Do you meet the clients?”

“Yes. Uncle Alessio likes to introduce family to clients when they visit. The meetings are always brief, but it’s the image he sells.”

“He’s a smart man. It surprised me that they didn’t pick him to be capo.”

“Massimo has the time. Uncle Alessio doesn’t. And Massimo also had the desire.”

“Your uncle didn’t want to reign?” He’s rightfully skeptical.

“I’m not close to my uncle. I can’t tell you exactly what he’s thinking. But from what I’ve observed, I’d say he’s been steadily working to separate himself from the Lupi Grigi.”

“Which is why he was open to his daughter marrying outside the family?”

“Marrying her to Leandro would’ve been cruel.” Leandro was almost as horrible as Vincent. Almost.

I glance up to find Nick’s gaze on me, studying me like an art exhibit. I can’t blame him for thinking I’m an odd one. Our world is bizarre. And I killed my husband. Can’t quite forget that eccentricity.

“Alessio Gagliano arranged a cruel marriage for you.”

“That he did.”Bastard. “And that’s why I’m working with the authorities to bring him down.”

“But he didn’t do that to his own daughter.”

“Don’t grant him grace. Willow made an alternative path for herself. Her father didn’t lift a finger to make that happen. All my uncle did was agree, and the choice played into his desires. Hierarchy, remember? Syndicate over Massimo and his demented brother.”

“Even after what happened. The accident. You think it’s better she married Leo?”

“A marriage to Leandro would have been a death sentence, too.”

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