His Stolen Bride - MINK Page 0,21
with jams, fruits and cookies to sample. I’ve done enough sampling to last me a week, but still she continues to try to feed me more. Even though I know I shouldn’t, I can’t resist and take another bite. I’m starting to think my dead husband and my new husband are night and day.
“There. You eat that, and I’ll be back to make you lunch.” Talia turns and leaves.
“Everyone is being so nice to you,” Gianna says.
It’s something I’ve also noticed. When I was Giuseppe’s wife, no one paid me any mind. They’d barely glanced at me. Now, I can’t walk into a room without someone checking on me. I only just married Santino last night, and now everyone is “Mrs. Baldoni” and “how are you?” and “Can I get you anything?” It’s nice, but it’s hard to go unnoticed now. Sneaking around won’t be so easy if everyone is always watching. Is Santino trying to be nice or making sure I don’t run away?
“They are very attentive. Yes.” I take another bite.
Gianna shakes her head. “You’re being weird.”
I swallow as my sister stares at me. Fake. That’s what I’m being. I know it. It’s not something I’m used to being with her. But smiling and making everyone think I’m okay feels like the best option right now. Inside, though, I’m all over the place, and it’s making my head hurt.
“Are you getting a migraine?” It’s creepy how well she can read me sometimes.
“Mrs. Davinci,” I hear one of the men lingering in the kitchen entryway say. I turn to see who I’m guessing has to be Appolonia. Cato’s wife. Leo told me a little about her. Her wedding to Cato Davinci had been fast and unexpected. More so because Cato had turned down so many brides. My sister being one of them.
“Mauro. It’s good to see you.”
“Good to see you, too.” She gives the man a warm smile before her eyes meet mine.
“You must be Bella.” Her whole face lights up with a smile. “I’ve come to meet my new sister.” She walks over to me and wraps me in a tight hug. “Are you giving Santino a hard time? I hope you are. We have to keep these men on their toes.”
I let out a small laugh. Her smile is warm and welcoming, making me like her instantly.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I tell her as she releases me. “This is my sister Gianna.” Appolonia offers Gianna her hand. She studies her face for a moment, not letting her hand go before her eyes travel down my sister back up to her face. My breath stills for a moment. She can’t know.
“I didn't want to marry Cato,” my sister blurts out. Appolonia throws her head back and laughs.
“I know the feeling. I tried to run from him a few times. He always seemed to catch me. That’s the thing about these men, when they see something they want they can be relentless.” Her eyes come back to me. “Tell me. How is Santino treating you? I never thought I’d see the day he’d get married.”
“That’s the thing about this life, you don’t really get a choice when it comes to that. Often enough it’s what’s convenient or best for your family.” I use her own words. I’m not trying to be mean. The reminder that Santino married me to grow his empire doesn’t sit well.
Jealousy. That’s what it is. Her husband had chosen her. Not because he had to but because he wanted her. He loves her. Something I know I’ll never have. I shouldn't be having these thoughts. I shouldn't care. Gianna is safe, and that’s what matters. That’s why I’m doing all of this. That’s what I try to convince myself, anyway.
“This is true.”
“Not for you though,” I keep harping. “Is that true?”
“Yes and no. Things were complicated for Cato and me in the beginning. I’d already had my mind made up about who he was.” She smirks as if she’s remembering something funny. “To tell you the truth, I wanted to kill him.” In that moment, I know without a doubt that she and I are going to be great friends. “Then he grew on me, and I saw past the hard exterior. These men might be ruthless in some sense, but they are the same when it comes to loving you.”
“I think your Cato might be cut from a different cloth. We all know how a lot of these men are.” I’d been happy