Page 29 of Vicious Heir

“His new habit,” Donatella says gently, watching him struggle. “Don’t help.”

I steady myself. The Marino Famiglia needs strength right now. What’s happening to my father is beyond our control. Only God can intervene now. It’s better if I move on.

Only I can’t help but remember what he used to be.

“I’m getting married,” I tell him, speaking just loud enough to be heard over the television. “Her name’s Lucille. She’s pretty. I think you’d like her.”

Nothing. Only a grumble as he works on getting the watch strapped again. His fingers aren’t dexterous enough, but he keeps on trying.

“I’m leaving now. I wish you could be there, Papa. I’ll see you later tonight though.”

As I stand, he looks over. For a moment, his eyes are sharp. It’s one of those rare, brief glimpses of the man he used to be. His lips press together and he leans forward, and I swear he recognizes me. His mouth opens, and I desperately want him to give me something. Advice, a warning, even just an acknowledgment that he knows who I am and still loves me.

But he only grunts and shakes his head. “Fucking watch,” he says and goes back to work.

Donatella smiles sadly as I turn and walk away.

Leaving my future behind.

Lucy

“You willnotmess this up.” Grandmother stares at me, back held straight, chin tilted up. “You will walk down the aisle. You will say the vows. You will even kiss that man. Afterwards, you will smile and act as though you’re happy about all this. Do you understand me?”

I look at myself in the mirror. A beautiful white wedding dress drapes from my body. Kennedy picked it out and had it custom-made for me. When she said she was doing it, I figured she’d choose something inappropriate. That would be typical Kennedy.

Instead, this is classic. It’s sleek and simple. Almost conservative. I can tell Grandmother approves. My hair’s up in a twisted pattern with a few wispy strands left down, giving me an innocent look. I even have a veil. It’s as traditional as it gets. Right in line with my family’s standards.

“I understand,” I say and focus on my grandmother’s face, looming over my shoulder. She looks almost as dour as I feel.

“This is important.” Her voice is clipped and hard. If I thought I might get some kind of maternal advice, I was sorely mistaken. She was married for over forty years, right up until Grandfather died when I was fifteen. She knows what it means to be a wife.

While I have absolutely zero clue.

But that’s not the sort of woman she is.

“I know how much it means to the family.” I stare at her in the mirror. “I won’t let you down.”

She seems slightly surprised. Her lips press harder. But she eventually gives me a curt nod. “Good. Be downstairs in five minutes.” She turns away but hesitates. “You look adequate. Kennedy did a nice job.” Then she stalks out of the room.

Adequate. That’s the best I’ll get from that woman.

I sigh as my shoulders slump. I feel tears welling in my throat. Why am I about to cry? I knew this was coming, but now that the moment is here, it’s like the reality is hitting me all over again.

If I had a choice, I wouldn’t go anywhere near that church. Maybe I have some kind of strange, hypersexual connection with Adriano, but that’s not a real foundation for a relationship, let alone for a marriage. If only I could stand up to my grandmother, I’d rip off this dress, throw on a pair of sweats, andrun.

But everyone knows I’m a pathetic mess.

“You look amazing, you know.” Kennedy walks over. She drapes an arm around my shoulders. She’s in a navy-blue dress. My only bridesmaid, per my request, and I guess Grandmother was in a good mood when that got approved.

“I don’t feel amazing.”

“I know this sucks.” She leans her head on my shoulder. “But you’re strong, you know that?”

“I’m just about the least strong person in the world.”

“Completely untrue. You survived Helena. You got through all that ugly ridicule when your family’s financial situation leaked. You’ll get through this too.”

“Is that really something to brag about? I keep onsurvivingall the bad stuff? Anyone can keep breathing.”

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