Page 167 of Carnal

Hesitating, I glance around the foyer again. All the men are there. Danger emits from them. I want to be able to trust them, but I don't want to make a bad mistake.

"Come on," Bridget says, grabbing my hand.

She and Arianna seem safe.

I cave, letting her lead me to the grand staircase. It's also overwhelming. I'm so weak, I can barely get my feet to move. I take five steps up.

Tristano asserts, "Bridget, let her go on the elevator."

Not wanting to be helpless or show my weakness, I spin, straightening my shoulders. I glare at him. "I'm fine."

Hurt floods his dark orbs. I instantly feel guilty, but I'm unsure why. He lowers his voice. "You're weak. What did he do to you?"

More tears drip down my face.

How do I even answer that question?

Why would I answer him anyway?

Why did he kidnap me from the Abruzzos again?

I keep my thoughts to myself and force myself to climb another step.

Arianna asks, "Do you want to take the elevator? It's just around the corner."

"No, I'm fine," I say, gritting my teeth and somehow finding some energy. But it's true. I'm so weak. I feel like I could pass out at any moment. I grip the railing, pulling myself up.

Bridget and Arianna stay close by me. We go down several hallways. It seems to take forever until we get to a huge suite.

I question, "Where are we?"

Bridget answers, "Your home, sweetheart."

"Home?" I inquire, gazing at the surroundings, yet nothing feels familiar.

"Yeah, your home," Bridget replies.

It just doesn't feel like home. Full of doubt, I mutter, "This is where I lived?"

She glances at Arianna, responding, "Not quite."

"I don't understand. You just told me this is home. Is it not where I lived before I was with Biagio?"

She puts her hands in the air. "I just meant that you're a part of our family."

"I'm related to you?"

"No, not yet. But you agreed to marry my brother," Arianna interjects.

My heart almost stops. I gape at them, shaking my head. "I was supposed to marry Biagio."

Arianna picks up my hand with the ring on it. Her eyes glisten, and she states, "This was my mamma's."

Goose bumps pop out on my skin. I still have no recollection of what she's talking about. I blurt out, "That's impossible. Biagio gave this to me. He told me the story about how he proposed and everything."

Her face hardens. "He's a liar. That was my mamma's. Tristano gave it to you, and you accepted."

More tears slip down my cheeks. I put my hands over my face, admitting, "I'm so confused."

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