Page 8 of His Little Spitfire

Eliza twitches, her frown growing. Camellia does the same, but for the opposite reasoning. Both siblings have a rocky relationship with their brother. Rocco wouldn’t mind abandoning Camellia here, but Eliza… the jewel of their family…

My teeth grind at the thought of him trying to take her away.

I tell myself it’s because I don’t want a war to break out. However, the stirring happening inside my chest tells me it’s something else.

“He won’t get the chance,” Eliza interrupts. “I’ll be on the other side of the country if you just let me take my sister and–”

“No.” Santino all but barks the word. He’s made it clear. Camellia is his. He goes as far as pulling the woman onto his lap, making a scene as he buries his nose into the crook of her neck to make her grow pink. “She’s staying right here where I can make sure she’s safe. You, on the other hand, can go–”

“The papers,” I interrupt, my knee bouncing as I watch Camellia move her hands to her face, covering her bashful smile. “When are they coming?”

He tears his eyes away from Eliza and sends a frown in my direction. “I’ve sent Tommy to get what we need. Tonight, you two can take care of the signatures.” His brows narrow. “She needs to sign them. No forging signatures. Camellia’s request.”

Great. She has to be willing.

I can hear Eliza grinding her teeth. She’s so against this, I know I’m going to have to convince her to go into this a little more compliant. However, I don’t think spanking her will do the trick. I’ll have to persuade her some other way.

A way that doesn’t include violence. This will be new for both of us.

4

Eliza

It takes Urzo going to the bathroom to finally make my next attempt at an escape.

Not from the estate, but from his watchful gaze. There’s a weight beneath his eyes, and I’m tired of feeling like I’m going to fold every time he looks my way.

Now I’m just a spectacle to everyone else in this place.

I lose count of how many men move throughout the halls. Some lift their brows at me, some send a look of disgust because of who I am.

Can’t help that I’m tied to a family with a last name I’d jump at the opportunity to abandon in a heartbeat.

They hate Rocco as much as I do. He’s hardly my brother. Maybe a few years ago, I would’ve expected him to come save both Camellia and myself. The guy he is now… He’d rather marry me off to some guy instead of doing anything himself. Yeah, no thanks.

Though, can’t say this is much different from a fate than what Rocco would’ve brought me. Between marrying some dude with an eye patch, or marrying Urzo, I can’t tell which I’d want to do less.

Touring the home by my lonesome, I notice the guns on the passing members of the family. I’m less interested in acquiring one and more concerned with the possibility of one of these men retaliating against me.

One good thing about Urzo becoming my shadow, I felt oddly safe. The Bertelli family needs this marriage. Santino thinks so. Well, what if one of his grunts holds a grudge too deep and takes out the problem altogether?

Rocco can’t marry me off and join forces with another family if I’m dead. Santino knows that much. My sister is the only thing keeping me alive.

Hugging myself, I keep my face straight to avoid letting any weaknesses slip.

If any of them realize that there are a few cracks in my brave attitude, they won’t hesitate to take advantage.

A sudden hand on my arm sends that thought flying as I gasp. Hand too small to be Urzo, I jerk around with the full intention of fighting.

I’ve punched Santino Bertelli, I’ll punch anyone else.

Turns out, the one behind me is no one other than an older lady.

She’s out of breath, her brows pinched together. Despite my days of being here, it’s the first time I’ve seen her. Could she be part of the kitchen staff?

“Finally.” She straightens up and sighs as her aged eyes take me in. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to catch you alone?”

This lady is going to be who kills me, huh? Someone must’ve known I’d never have the heart to knock out an elder. Especially not with such a gentle expression on her face. Gives me a black widow, or a praying mantis kind of vibe. Soft on the outside, dangerous on the inside.

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