Page 21 of Where Dark Hearts Devour
I stagger back a step and stare at him. Then I do something completely out of character.
I laugh.
His eyes narrow.
When I speak, my voice is low and thick with bitterness. “You think I have a choice?”
I don’t know what has possessed me to be so brutally honest with the one person closer to my fiancé than perhaps anyone else in the world, but instead of feeling terrified—which would be the most logical emotion right now—I feel ... liberated.
His forehead softens, and a corner of his mouth twitches into a smile that he erases with a swipe of his thumb. “And there I was, thinking you were going to be just like the rest of them.”
My heart pounds against my rib cage.What isthatsupposed to mean?
“Did you get home all right?”
The change in topic almost gives me whiplash. “Yes. I did, thanks.”
Several seconds pass, and he doesn’t move. The heat of his glare is close to unbearable. His jacket bunches where his hands are shoved deep into his pockets, and a glimmer of steel shines through a fold. He’s armed, but it doesn’t turn my stomach as much as it should.
“When did you and my brother meet?”
I straighten my shoulders. “Today. In the church, after the service.”
His eyes widen a fraction. “You only met him today?”
“Just seconds before he introduced me to you, in fact.”
His jaw works from side to side. The pause drags out uncomfortably, until I have to look away. But when he leans into my space and whispers hoarsely, I can’t mistake his words.
“So you met me first.”
I turn my head to see himstaringat me, his eyes almost black. My lips part as a raw thrill skitters down my spine.
Sera bursts into the space between us. “Ugh, I’m sorry about that, Tril.” Oblivious to the tension she just cut like a knife, she coasts her gaze across the buffet table. “Where’s all the food?”
Cristiano clears his throat. “Apologies. It appears my family has eaten most of it.”
Sera jumps as if she’s only just noticed he’s there, then she backs up into me. “Oh gosh, I wasn’t implying anything. It’s food, isn’t it? I mean, that’s what it’s there for.”
Ignoring her, his attention rests on me like a heavy weight. “Congratulations, Miss Castellano. I wish you and my brother all the happiness in the world.”
My heart pounds as he walks away. I can’t believe what I just said. I basically admitted I’m only marrying his brother because it’s what others want, not my own choice. Worse, he didn’t give me any clue my secret was safe with him. If I was anxious before, I’m positively incapacitated with nerves now.
“Jeez, it’s eat or be eaten in this place. Do you think Papa will let us grab a pizza on the way home?” Sera says as Cristiano disappears into the crowd.
I push my plate toward her. “Have mine. I’m not hungry.”
She looks up eagerly. “Are you sure? The bride-to-be has to eat.”
“I’m sure Allegra would prefer that I don’t between now and the wedding.” And I don’t think that will be a problem given that all I need to do is close my eyes and picture the scene from the church to put me off food forever.
Sera shovels a forkful of pasta salad into her mouth and shrugs in agreement.
While she eats, I scan the room. Not much has changed. The Scandinavian Barbie dolls are still seated in one corner, black suits line the walls and fill half the floor, and my small family hovers near the glass doors that open onto the garden terrace. I feel a surprising urge to join them. I want them to form a protective circle around me and reassure me that, marriage or no marriage, they’ll be there for me.
My gaze catches on Papa. The lines on his brow are deep, and though his hands are pushed casually into his pockets, his arms are rigid. He’s no more at ease than I am. I feel the weight of our situation settle in my stomach. Our family’s future rests on my shoulders. I have to do everything in my power to make this work.
Straightening my spine, I ignore the curious eyes of other mourners as I return—if only temporarily—to the fold.
