Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“You are young and recently married. I am old and I know how these things go. Whatever they think is happening will burn bright and hot until they get sick of each other, and then what? At least with your brother Saul, the two of them could’ve built a relationship on a reasonable foundation. Instead, she chose this.”
“I understand how you feel, Don Rossi, but like I said, this changes nothing.”
Dad takes a deep breath and levels a stare at Renzo. “You’re right. Our alliance moves forward.” Then his gaze moves to me. “To the outside world, I’ll bless this idiotic, disgusting little union. I’ll smile and shake my head and laugh about the absurdity of young love. But you are no longer my daughter.”
I grimace like he struck me. “Dad—” I start, but he interrupts.
“Don’t call me that anymore. You will address me as Don Rinaldo from here on out. Preferably, I won’t ever see you again. You broke my trust, Allegra, and that’s the worst thing you could’ve done.”
I nod once, looking down at the floor again.
“Your daughter is one of the most loyal and caring people I’ve ever met,” Gian says which makes me look up in surprise. I expected him to speak as little as possible during this.
Dad snarls in response. “I don’t give a fuck what you think.”
“She cares about you and your family more than she should. You don’t deserve a daughter like her. No father should ever treat their own blood like this.”
“And no daughter should ever go against her father the way she did. Not once, but twice. Don Rossi, please remove these two from my sight. They make me sick.” Dad sits back in his chair, arms crossed, the color in his face returning to normal.
“Come on, Gian.” Renzo turns to go.
Gian gets to his feet. I stand with him. But before we can leave, I turn to my father in one last fit of desperation. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I wanted to do the right thing for you, and I hoped you’d understand. Gian’s still a Rossi, and I’m still going to do what’s right for the Famiglia, and—”
“You don’t have to worry about that anymore. You no longer carry the Rinaldo name. Leave now.”
His words are gunshots. I turn away, feeling hollow and dizzy. Gian’s still holding my hand, and he helps me walk to the office door. I want to turn around and argue with Dad, but I know there’s nothing I can say. He’s a stubborn bastard, just like me, and he’s not going to change his mind. Not right now. Maybe not ever.
Dad’s men lead Renzo toward the front door, but I spot Sophia standing outside of the music room. She looks stricken, her hands over her mouth, and I pull away from Gian and hurry over to her. I go for a hug, but she steps away, flinching as if I’m a disease.
“I can’t,” she whispers. “I’m sorry.”
“Soph.” Tears fall freely now. “Please.”
“If I’m seen with you—” She steps away, shaking her head. “We can talk later, okay?”
I’m devastated. I don’t know what to say. I knew Dad would be angry—I even had a feeling he might say some pretty awful stuff, which is totally what he did—but I never thought Sophia would look at me like I’m toxic.
“I understand.” I take a step back, my hands shaking. “I was just trying to do what’s right.”
Her face falls. “Right for who? No, don’t answer, we both know already. Just go with your husband, okay? We can talk later.”
Right for who. The words burn into my brain as I turn away and hurry over to Gian. He’s giving me a hard look, but when he tries to take my hand, I pull away.
I don’t want to touch him right now.
Chapter 18
Allegra
Ibarely notice when the car pulls up out front of an old Tudor-style house set back from the street and surrounded by a tall black fence. Gian gets out and I follow him, moving woodenly, frowning at the neighborhood. “We’re only a few blocks away from my house,” I say to his back as he pushes through a gate and heads toward the front door.
The car pulls away. I stand there, confused, and Gian glances over his shoulder. “We are? I hadn’t noticed. Come on. You did say you wanted to be close to your family.”
“I mean, like, somewhere in the region. I didn’t mean around the freaking corner.” I hurry after him as he unlocks the front door with an old-looking key and we step into the entryway.
It’s completely empty. The hardwood floors need to be refinished and the walls are covered in some of the worst puke-green floral wallpaper I’ve ever seen, but the bones are gorgeous. The original wood details are stunning: exposed beams cross the space and brass light fixtures in the shape of lions hang in the corners. A stained-glass window casts colors across the main staircase.