I notice they’re opposite of Mila. She’s going to have a clear view of this circus until the night is over.
“Where did you two get to?” my father asks.
“We went for a walk around the garden. It’s very pretty,” Annalise answers as primly as she can with a smile on her face.
“If gardens are what you like, our Raphael will buy you the grandest garden in Vita once you’re both married.”
Her smile grows, and I have to school my features to keep my own smile in place.
“That would be lovely,” she replies.
Darting my eyes across the table, Mila surprises me with a smile of her own. It’s not unpleasant, but full of secrets—our secrets—and unspoken promises.
“A wedding? How lovely,” she coos. My mother tenses at Mila’s affront, while my father bristles.
Mila’s mother nudges her and curtly shakes her head when Mila looks her way.
The signal—don’t talk to the enemy. Little does she know, she’s had her lips on the enemy tonight, and there’s nothing she or anyone else can do to keep us apart.
“Alessandro, may I suggest you teach your daughter her place, and that it’s not talking to my son’s fiancée.”
Mila’s father, Alessandro Camarco, glares at my father. I’ve been coming to these dinners since I was thirteen, and I’ve never heard a word exchanged between the two men. Sure, there’s tension and muttered insults thrown at each other under their breaths, but never so bold in front of everyone.
“You may not, Stefano. My daughter may speak to whoever she pleases, even if they are below her.”
My father’s hand tightens around his whiskey glass and slams the liquid back in one large gulp.
“Now now, gentlemen, let’s not ruin the evening with unease. If Jamila has something to say, I’m sure she means well.”
I snort. I’m not surprised to see the mayor is already speaking up for her. If she’s to be his wife, he’s going to want her on his side as soon as possible.
Throughout dinner, Mila doesn’t open her mouth, and she tries hard not to look over at me as I attempt to have senseless conversations with Annalise.
I do my best to please my father by making Annalise happy. By the time my parents stand, preparing to leave, I’m ready to go as well, wanting this night to be over. I want to be home so I can call Mila and hear her say she understands again that this is nothing but an act.
“Tomorrow, Ms. Dupree will join us for lunch,” my father announces as the Dupree’s stand to bid us goodnight.
Her father is all too happy to accept the invitation on her behalf and shakes my father’s hand.
I lean in and place a quick kiss on Annalise’s cheek and back off, putting as much distance between us as I can without causing offence.
“Until tomorrow.”
One look at my father tells me he’s eating this shit up. It’s not until we’re in the car and on our way back to the house that he says, “See? It wasn’t so bad, was it? She’ll make you a fine wife.”
I’m not interested in entertaining him. I did what he wanted. I look down at my phone and send a text to Mila.
‘I love you.’
Chapter Nine
Jamila
Father Antonio stands beside me as we serve a soup lunch to the women staying at Vita’s refuge for women, a place I come to once a week and offer my help. The women didn’t take too kindly to me when I first started helping out six years ago, but now they welcome me with open arms.
“The streets are quiet. Your engagement and vow of peace is working,” Father Antonio tells me quietly. It’s not like him to mention business in front of anyone, and I’m not happy he’s decided to today.
“Ms. Camarco, congratulations on your engagement,” Rosita offers with a pleasant grin, holding her bowl out.
I pour a ladle full of soup into the waiting bowl and smile in return. I’ve received so many blessings and well wishes since I arrived, it’s making my ears hurt. But I accept every one of them graciously.
“Is there any news from the Marocchi side?” I ask under my breath when Rosita moves on and the women are all seated at the tables.
“Nothing so far, but I doubt it will last long. Raphael isn’t going to go down quietly.”
No, I don’t doubt he will, but this time I have the mayor and the people of Vita on my side. It’ll be a lot harder for him to make a