Page 14 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
I can still feel the ghost of his fingers on my waist, the heat of his body pressed against mine. It should scare me, but it doesn’t. He’s everything I was warned about, the church says men like him are temptation. I never thought temptation would look like someone I’d want.
But instead of fear around Massimo, I feel drawn to him.
Like a thread tying us together.
I lean my forehead against the cool glass of the car window, watching the streets of Blackstone Hollow blur past. This town has always been home, but now, it feels like forever home. I always thought I would leave and move to a different part of the city, not now.
The car stops by the front door, I walk in and the smell of a roast chicken and fresh herbs hit me. I hear my uncle humming in the kitchen as he cooks, something which always makes me smile.
I stand in the doorway watching him, and there is one conversation on my mind, and I should wait, but I can’t. The guilt of having this conversation might kill me.
Taking a deep breath, I step into the kitchen. “Uncle Dominic, it smells nice in here.”
He turns to me with a smile. “Sweetheart, I didn’t hear the car.” He gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Is everything okay?” he asks as his smile softens; is it that he observes I have something on my mind?
I swallow hard. “I need to talk to you.”
“Of course.” He sits on the chair in front of me, taking my hand in his, and giving it a soft pat.
I lick my lips, hesitating as the words get stuck in my throat. “It’s about the engagement.”
His expression doesn’t change, but he pats my hand a few more times, letting me know to continue with what’s on my mind.
“I don’t want to marry Liam.” I say the words quickly, rip the plaster off.
A beat of silence.
Then one word is all he asks. “Why?”
I force myself to meet his eyes, as I need my dad to know I mean the words I’m about to say. “Because my heart isn’t with him.”
His expression remains calm, as he does so well. “And where is your heart, Maria?”
I exhale slowly. This is it, I have to say it, yet I’m scared to say it out loud.
“With Massimo Messina.” The name hangs in the air and a crack in the perfect, obedient niece I have always been for him is there.
His expression does not falter, but something in his eyes darkens. “Maria…” His voice is careful. “Do you understand what you’re saying?”
All I can do is nod.
He leans back in his chair, fingers tapping against the wood table. “You’ve barely spoken to Massimo before now. What makes you think?—”
“I just know.” My voice is firmer than I intend it to be.
I can see the wheels turning in his mind. The calculations. The considerations. He isn’t just my uncle, he’s a priest. He sees everything through scriptures, but there’s no verse for this.
He doesn’t say anything, so I speak first as the waiting might break me. “I know this breaks what was promised with the O’Brien’s and it puts me and you in danger, my and dad ran away from that life, and you made the promise to them I wouldn’t be part of it. But this is what I want, and I truly believe when Massimo knows the truth, he will protect us from them.” I take in a deep breath. “You’ve always trusted me,” I whisper. “Please, trust me now.”
For the first time, my uncle looks uncertain, and it scares me more than anything. Again, silence between us.
I can hear the distant ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. The sizzling of the dinner being cooked.
His fingers still tap against the table, his brow frowning in thought. I can see the internal war playing out in his head. Duty or his niece?
Finally, he sighs, rubbing his temples before turning to me again. “Maria, this isn’t just about what you want.”
I swallow hard. “I know.”
