Page 18 of Enzo
“Why?” I interrupted, determined to put a stop to their bickering.
“Why what?” Mama questioned.
“Why demand to set the date so urgently and not let us properly prepare?”
Papà let out an exasperated breath.
“Why do Marchettis do anything? I’m convinced something is fundamentally wrong with them.” He rubbed his forehead as if the mere mention of the wedding gave him a headache. “We have a few options to delay or stop?—”
I sat up and straightened my shoulders. “No.”
“No?” Papà repeated, confused. “You don’t know what I was about to say, princess.”
I took a deep breath and exhaled before I choked out my next words. “I know you, Papà. You want to give me options to refuse, but I won’t.”
“But—”
I shook my head, ignoring the panic filling my chest, and instead projected a bravery and confidence I didn’t feel.
“I won’t let you start a war with them,” I stated, my tone final. “Amara’s sick. She’s the priority now; she needs us. A war with the Marchettis would throw a wrench in her treatment plans, and there is nothing more important than her health.”
Our gazes locked while the silence stretched, his conveying his need to save me from Enzo and mine determined not to let him interfere.
“Are you sure, Penelope?” Mama’s voice broke through our battle of wills. “You’re strong and I know you can do this, but I also want you to be happy.”
“I’m sure,” I murmured.
“I’m fucking not,” Papà grumbled. “That bastard doesn’t deserve my daughter. They’re probably hiding some sinister family scandal.”
“Those are just rumors,” Mama scolded him.
Curiosity got the best of me. “Rumors?”
Mama made a dismissive gesture, waving her hand. “It’s nothing.”
“The rumor is that Enrico’s first wife was certifiably crazy, and that it runs in the family.”
“Oh.”
“There’s no proof,” Mama insisted. “It’s not like you to pay attention to gossip, Luca.”
Papà pushed his hand through his hair and sighed. “Maybe not, but I’m desperate to protect her.”
Mama’s expression tightened. “And I’m not?”
Papà ignored her. It would seem the Marchettis were the only ones up to cracking their united front.
“We can make you disappear while?—”
“Luca!” Mama hissed. “We agreed.”
I cleared my throat, but the lump didn’t dissipate. “I won’t disappear, Papà. If there’s truth to these rumors and Enzo ispazzo, I can use it as grounds for divorce.”
Papà didn’t seem happy with that, but Mama eagerly nodded. “That’s good thinking, Pen.”
Papà’s shoulders slumped tiredly. “I wanted better for you, princess.”
I stood up and came around the table to hug him. “I know, but I’m not a little girl. I’m strong like my parents, and it’s not as if the concept of arranged marriages is foreign to me or anyof my friends.” I pulled away so I could meet his weary eyes. “Everything will be fine.”
