Page 2 of Bartered Innocence

I let out a shaky breath, my mouth drying with the question. Everyone knows ofthe book, a relic from traditionalists that tracks the women of the Famiglia deemed “worthy” of marriage. “Oh god. He’s looking for virgins?”

Ricky doesn’t say anything, watching me silently as I continue to think aloud.

“That means it’s someone important,” I say, letting go of him and shaking my head. I hate everything to do with the traditionalists, especially their stupid fucking book. It also terrifies me because it’s been years since whispers of an arranged marriage have had any truth to them. While I’ve heard their archaic database of purity is not as closely tracked anymore, it's certainly frowned upon if they find out you’ve slept with someone before your husband.

Ricky studies me nervously, but deep down we both know I won’t be chosen given our family’s low status, virgin or not. I cock my head to the side when I come to the realization it will always be a possibility, and it would help lessen the chances if I wasn’t in that goddamn book.

“Okay. That’s fine. It’s an easy fix, I’ll just becomenota virgin. You’ll tell Luca you didn’t know. And I mean why would you? You’re my brother. I wouldn’t tell you who I fucked.”

He flinches at the word, and I refrain from rolling my eyes. The man can shoot people, but I cuss and suddenly he’s uncomfortable.

“Dai,Ricardo. I’m twenty-one. I can say the word fuck.”

His cheek quirks again and he sighs. “I—Fuck. I think this was a mistake. Don’t lose your virginity, Isabelle. Luca would kill us both.”

“How would he know?”

Ricky pales, gripping my shoulders as his fingers dig in. “I swore an oath to the Famiglia. I love you and I wish I could protect you, but I owe my loyalty to them.” Translation: He won’t lie for me, and he doesn’t approve of me losing my virginity either.

We stare at each other, my jaw aching as I clench my teeth to remove the sting from the back of my eyes. Just once, I would have loved for him to have my side. My brother waits, and I know he’s expecting me to agree. His eyebrows dip and his fingers hold me tighter.

“Tell me you won’t do anything drastic.”

“I won't…”

He blows out a sigh of relief before I continue, “…tell you until after the fact.”

Ricky groans. “Isabelle, you don’t understand. The fact he ensured you are still in the book is an honor. We are nobodies.”

I push his hands off me and scoff. “Then it shouldn’t matter if I suddenly need to be removed, no?”

“Isabelle…” He rubs at his face. I know his defeated expression is trying to convince me that no one would believe I fucked a stranger beforehand, considering I work and then go straight home.“I’m telling you, don’t do anything dumb.”

That’s easy enough considering I don’t think losing my virginity to make myself ineligible to marry some pompous criminal is a dumb idea. A rushed one, perhaps. The only hiccup is not knowing the time constraints on Luca’s proposition, which means I’m left with no time to hesitate and limited options.

“Of course.” I give him a half-smile that does nothing to soothe him.

* * *

My heart is beating so loud that I’m afraid others can hear it. I’ve tried to keep my gaze on my towel, wiping down the counters as I work up the courage to ask António.

It would make sense if he’s the one who took my virginity. We spend a lot of time together, and things could have progressed naturally. There are times we’re left alone, and it’s plausible that temptation got to both of us. It feels silly to conjure an entire story or reason in my head, but there has to be no room for error. I feel his questioning look every now and then, causing my anxiety to spiral more. While I’m not blind to others' attraction to the man, I’ve never imagined myself with him.

Luca and his men are long gone and the normal dinner rush is slowly waning. António moves next to me as we clear out the remaining scraps. There’s been a lingering tension the entire night, and I know he’s noticed my odd behavior, no matter how much I tried to act otherwise.

“What did your brother want?”

The question is innocent, and I’m sure he’s worried it has something to do with the restaurant. Or perhaps, he’s offended that Ricky didn’t acknowledge him, but it gives me the perfect opportunity.

I let out a small laugh, hoping to keep my voice strong. “Just my brother being my brother. Protective and irrational.”

“Protective?”

“…of my virtue.” I try to control the blush working up my neck and cheeks.

António stiffens for a second and then nods. “He’s worried about the patrons? You don’t see them often.”

Glancing away, I shift on my feet and sigh. “No, not the patrons. I spend a lot of time with you.”

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