Page 25 of Obsession & Oath

“But it is yours, right?” I predict a little harshly. “Even though you’ve been in America almost as long as I have?”

She purses her lips. “I’ve stayed in touch, visited, kept up appearances. You, however, greeted Maria De Luca as MariaFerrerojust now. Your mother will pay for that tomorrow, you know.”

I cringe slightly at that. “Teething problems.”

“These are old families, Dante. Don’t think for one second they won’t take advantage of you while you’re scrambling to keep up.”

And she’s right. Of course, she is. Suddenly, it makes a lot more sense why my mother wants me to marry a local. I need someone at my side who can fill the gap created by nine years of absence.

“You intend to secure an engagement with me.” It’s a fact. I state it like one.

Rina tilts her head, endlessly long hair cascading beautifully over her shoulder, teasing smile on her lips. “Don’t sound so displeased by it. As I recall, you didn’t seem to mind my company that night at the club.”

“We were teenagers.”

“Mmmm,” her eyes become hooded. “Now we’re all grown up. I can only imagine how much more experienced we both are.”

I should flirt back, offering a demonstration or something equally shameless. It’s not like she’s not very, very beautiful, and it’s very clear how she wants this night to end.

And yet.

And yet, and yet, and yet.

I knock back the rest of my drink, hoping to buy myself some time. The alcohol burns down my throat. I want it to burn away my hesitation.

But it just leaves a lingering note of caramel in my mouth.

With a final, displeased swallow, I lean away from her. “I’ll certainly take your intentions under consideration.”

* * *

It’s late.

It’s very late.

When I got into the back of the car, this seemed like a good idea, but the journey considerably sobered me up.

Now, I’m hesitating by the door. Which is stupid.

So I push it open and stagger through.

Okay, so maybe I'm not as sober as I thought.

“Dante?”

And oh, her voice is like fresh air. Her accent sounds like home, like Brooklyn, and late nights in bars surrounded by friends and lovers and possibilities. She sounds like freedom from responsibilities, and yet she’s my responsibility now. All mine.

“Miss me, princess?”

Carmen holds onto the bars of her cell as she peers through. Surprise is evident in her lovely, soft features despite the fact her brows are furrowed in a scowl.

She really is so lovely.

“I thought you were at the ball tonight?” She responds to my question with one of her own. She does that a lot, actually now that I think about it.

“I could hardly break my visitation streak, could I?” I grin back. “I take your sanity very seriously.”

She narrows her caramel eyes at me. “If you cared for my sanity, you wouldn’t come at all.Dickhead.”

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