We are too intertwined with outsiders to break our own rules. We also have far too many enemies, secrets that if unveiled would destroy us.”
“So you’ve told me.”
“But you don’t want to accept that,” he said as he turned toward me. “The sect has been sparring with the Taglionis for two decades. I think the end is near.”
“The end?”
He nodded. While there was nothing terrifying about his voice or his stance, in his eyes I could see sheer resolve. He was determined to fight whatever was attempting to destroy the sect. I wasn’t certain whether to admire him or hate him even more.
“They’ve attempted to move in on our turf for years. What occurred with Capodanno Enterprises was their last effort. Both Christian and I knew they weren’t done. With Christian being in charge of the Council, my guess is they are running scared, prepared to do anything in order to get a foot in the door.”
“Including threatening my father.” That made sense why they seemed forced, pretending they were happy about the ceremony.
“Yes. My guess is that the Taglionis have something on your father, which is why he initially offered your hand in marriage for Franco.”
“Then why the change? Why didn’t he just drop me off on their doorstep?”
Sighing, he glanced toward the water, a wistful look in his eyes. “The Council and the Sacred Sect hold more power, even though new members must be appointed. Your father knew that the only way to keep you safe and not break his oath to the sect was to allow the ceremony with the Box to move forward.”
I closed my eyes, trying to rationalize everything he was saying. “Since we’re here, does that mean the Taglionis know that my father broke his vow?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Did you warn him? Did you?” I challenged, inching closer.
“He is being protected. That I promise you.”
“I don’t know whether to believe you or not.”
Matteo gave me a stern look. “I might dislike your father, Winter, but I won’t allow him to face whatever wrath Don Taglioni has in store. And they will not lay their hands on you.”
I turned away from him, folding my arms. “My parents found it easy to use me as a bargaining chip. Do you know how that makes me feel?”
“And Christian used me much like he did months ago. The good of the sect.”
“How can you stand to live this way? How can you tolerate being used, forced to play by these crazy rules?” As before, I felt the heat of his body surrounding me, the fire shared between us always lit, always hungry for fuel. I was lightheaded, struggling with my emotions and my desire. Matteo seemed so sincere, as if he really cared about me.
He wrapped his arms around me, refusing to let me go even as I struggled. “Listen to me,” he whispered, his lips brushing across my neck. “There are rules no matter what you do or how you live. Some can be beneficial, and they also keep the peace, sanctity of a relationship. I’ve never seen Christian happier than after he met his wife. I never thought it possible. He’s not the kind of man who accepts being forced into anything.”
“I’m not Stephanie and you’re not Christian, although you are very much alike. Controlling. Manipulative. I don’t know if I can follow the kind of rules you have in mind.”
“What do you think I’ll force you to do?”
I bit my lip as I thought about the question. “You’re going to control everything about me. My clothes. My friends. My perfume. I know what my mother has had to go through. She is nothing but a pretty fixture on my father’s arm.”
“While I will love having you on my arm, showing off my beautiful wife, I have no desire to select your clothing. However, I will enjoy buying you beautiful things and that is a husband’s prerogative. As I said, some rules can be enticing, even needed, much like discipline.”
Every word he was saying I wanted to refute but I couldn’t. I was slowly sinking into a realm that I had no way of recovering from. “I always saw my mother as being so weak, a frail woman who had no way of getting out of her relationship. Today, she told me she adored my father and had since she was a young girl, dreaming about him. I was shocked because I never saw that side of them.”
“Looks can be deceiving.”
“I know, but they were my parents