a tight knot and my chest felt like it was in a vise, but I had to do this.
“Ari?” Nora called, her head appearing around the door. “Are you almost… Oh my, you look beautiful.” There was a tightness to her words that had me inhaling a shaky breath.
“He’ll be here soon.”
Emotion slammed into me like a tsunami, and I reached out for the dresser to steady myself.
“Hey,” Nora rushed to my side. “Everything’s going to be okay. It’s just dinner. Luis said—”
“Just give me a second”. Eyes screwed shut, I took three deep, cleansing breaths. I could do this.
I had to do this.
What other choice did I have?
If I didn’t play my part—if I didn’t paste on a smile and pretend to at least tolerate Scott—I might never get to see Nicco again.
“Okay.” My eyes flickered open, my fingers curling around the edge of the dresser. “I’m ready.”
It felt like preparing for battle, only my words were a weapon and my heart was the battlefield.
“Luis will be there the entire time.”
“I know.” I brushed a curl from my face and forced a weak smile.
Luis was to act as our chaperone. It was all part of my father’s latest arrangement with Mike Fascini. Scott would court me—take me out for dinner, to business parties, family events—but our relationship would remain innocent until our wedding night.
Wedding night.
I still couldn’t believe they wanted me to marry him.
My father said it was to protect me, but his words meant little considering he’d handed me over to my rapist as if I was a prized cow.
I followed Nora into the living area. Luis was waiting, his expression grim.
“Your father wishes to speak with you.” He held out his cell phone and I let out a heavy sigh. Taking it, I pressed it to my ear and waited.
“Figlia mia?”
“Father.”
“Mio tesoro, please... there are things you do not understand. Things I am trying to protect you from. This arrangement is the safest option for you right now.”
“Very well,” I clipped out. “Was there something else? Or are you just calling to wish me a nice evening with my fiancé?”
He sucked in a harsh breath, cussing under his breath. “Everything I do, I do for you. One day, you will realize that.”
“I will never forgive you for this,” I seethed. “For handing me over to the man who...” I swallowed the words. Saying them gave them credence. It gave Scott power. And I refused to allow that. I refused to let him taint the memories I had of Nicco loving me.
He could have my company, my time, and even my hand in marriage, but he couldn’t have my heart.
Never my heart.
“Arianne, please try to understand—”
“Then tell me the truth. Tell me what this is all about...”
“I can’t, not yet.” He let out a frustrated breath.
“Then goodbye, Father.” I hung up and held out the cell to Luis. He took it, failing to hide his disapproval. But I knew it wasn’t aimed at me, rather at the man I no longer called Papá.
“I’ll be right there,” Luis said, “every step of the way.”
I gave him a sharp nod and waited for him to open the door. Scott might have held a certain amount of power over my life now, but I refused to give him my obedience. I would find pleasure in the small opportunities for dissension.
Starting with meeting him downstairs at his car.
But as Luis pulled open the door, I froze, hatred boiling my blood.
“Arianne, so early.” He smirked, and I pressed my lips together, swallowing the hundred things I really wanted to say to him.
“We thought it would be less—”
“Yeah, yeah, you can save the excuses.” He dismissed Luis, stepping closer. “Flowers, for the lady.” Scott winked, handing me the bouquet of roses. I stared at them as if he was offering me his heart, carved from his chest, bloody and still beating in his fingers.
“Thank you,” I almost choked over the words. Reluctantly taking the flowers from his hands, I doubled back only to find Nora standing there, tears and anger in her eyes.
“Burn them for all I care,” I thrust them at her and she snickered.
“Ari...” Concern glittered in her eyes.
“I’ll be okay. I promise.”
Steeling myself, I spun around and made my way out of the apartment, not bothering to stop for Scott. He stumbled after me, his dark chuckle making my spine stiffen.
“The harder you push, the sweeter it’ll be when you finally give in.” He grabbed my arm, lacing it with his.