Page 105 of Cruelest Contract
“I didn’t know you had a new boss,” I say to him. Last I heard, Matthias was a lone wolf enforcer, beholden to no one.
If he’s now working for Vittorio Messina, which appears to be the case, this piece of news is unsettling. Why the fuck would the Grimaldi heir consent to being Vittorio Messina’s attack dog? Matthias could have gone home anytime and assumed his status as head of the family.
His stare doesn’t become any friendlier. “It’s been a hell of a month for surprises, hasn’t it, Julian?”
“Your sister would have invited you to the wedding,” I remind him. “She told you so herself. If only you’d bothered to keep in touch with her.”
The comment makes a noticeable impact. Matthias breaks eye contact, choosing to glare out the window instead.
I feel no guilt about being on his bad side but he’s technically my brother-in-law so I need to extend an olive branch.
“Cecilia is my wife now,” I say. “And that makes us family so let’s act like it for her sake.”
He slowly turns his head and regards me in icy silence. Either he’s considering the wisdom of this suggestion or he’s plotting the best way to crush my skull.
Either way, Vittorio appears to be enjoying this little family squabble.
“Are you a fan of New York, Julian?” he asks suddenly.
“A little too crowded for my taste,” I admit.
He nods. “We have that in common. I’ve seen my family, which is what I came here for. There’s no reason to stay. I’m willing to be generous. I’ll forget about your father’s indiscretion. And we can discuss some business opportunities at my villa in Sicily. You’ll come with us, Matthias.”
“Sicily?” Matthias growls. “What the hell am I gonna do in Sicily?”
His boss ignores the question. “Be sure you pack enough to stay for a week.”
“Fuck,” mutters Matthias and sneers in my direction as if this is all my fault.
Vittorio eyes me with clear amusement. He wants to see if I’ll dance when he snaps his fingers. I’d like to wave goodbye and tell him to piss off back to Palermo where he belongs.
I need to get back to Cecilia. I’ve already cut our honeymoon short and given her a reason to doubt how much she means to me.
But I’m here representing the interests of the family. And the family’s interests are best served by flying to Sicily and cementing an alliance with Vittorio Messina.
There will be plenty of time to spend with my wife. What I’m doing now is for our future. This is really the best move I can make to keep her safe. I’ll make it up to her.
“When do we leave?” I ask.
22
CECILIA
Luna is so gentle as she takes an apple slice from my palm. Then she patiently waits for me to reach into my pocket for another one.
Earlier, Enzo shooed me away from the knife block in the kitchen and insisted on cutting the apples up himself. Far be it from me to argue with the ranch’s high-strung chef.
“Sweet girl,” I murmur and run my palm over Luna’s sleek neck as she crunches on another apple slice.
“She’s the most mellow horse we’ve got,” Miguel agrees. He carefully sets down the saddle he was carrying and moves closer to watch me give the horse another apple slice.
“It’s been quiet around here,” I say. “Lately I never see more than one or two of the cowboys around and the stable is nearly empty.”
A smile appears beneath Miguel’s dark mustache and his eyes twinkle with good humor. “Summers are busy, ma’am. The herd is all spread out and a bunch of the boys are at the north camp. I’m going back there today. Before you know it, it’ll be time to round the whole herd up for branding.”
Luna lightly nudges my hand and I withdraw another apple slice for her.
“I guess I have a lot to learn,” I say. “Please tell me if I’m ever in anyone’s way.”
