Page 31 of Wretched Choices

Clara, I know too, but she isn’t sitting. She is taking care that everything is going smoothly.

Cece is the only one on my side. She is the only one who knows my past, so when I called her and explained the situation I’d got myself in, she was understanding.

I make sure she sits beside me. And so, while I try to hear what Salvatore and Gabriel are talking about, I’m also listening to her. She is very curious about the people around her. As a lawyer, she has learned how to read people and their body language.

“You know how fucked up this is, right?” she says, looking around the room.

“What is? Me marrying out of nowhere, or all these people with different expressions on their faces.” Since we sat at the table an hour ago, I noticed there are people who are happy for our little sham of a marriage, and there are people who are indifferent, like they would rather be somewhere else. I also noticed a few with hatred in their eyes. If looks could kill, I would be dead by now. And from the look of the man that sits at the farend of the room, Salvatore would be too. The man hasn’t taken his eyes off him, like he’s taking notes on everything he is doing. I wonder if Salvatore has seen him.

“Well, both. But more than that, this room stinks of testosterone and dark energy. Like, very, very dark. Like something bad is going to happen,” she says.

I chuckle. “Ah, don’t exaggerate. Nothing bad is going to happen. At least, not tonight. I’m sure Salvatore made sure everything is under control. He wanted this marriage. He’d better make sure that there will be nothing bad happening.”

“Well, let’s hope so.”

I tune Cece out the moment I hear Salvatore say something about sending pictures. Gabriel says, “Ruggeri has them. Exclusive video of your ceremony.”

Did he kiss me like that for the video to send to my father? Asshole. Of course he did. Disappointment crawls inside me, but I turn to them, wanting to participate in their exchange. I can’t blame him. This was the purpose of our marriage.

“We have been receiving phone calls constantly from the moment those pictures were sent,” says Gabriel.

“Did you answer?” I ask, unconcerned when they both look at me with annoyance.

“No, I’ll leave that to you, Salvatore,” Gabriel says and looks at him, exchanging the look only they understand. The same way I sometimes do with Cece.

“I’ll let him stew for a couple of hours.” Salvatore smirks. “Let's finish our dinner before the pieces fall like dominoes.”

I look between them, realizing that I have no idea what they’re talking about and that I have no clue what Salvatore has planned.

He told me important things involving me and my role, about Federico, and why he needs an alliance with my father. Other than that, I don’t know his enemies. Especially if there are any inthis room. And I know somearein this room because I can feel their eyes on us, like they are plotting our demise.

Someone taps their fork against their glass, and all attention turns to the man in question. The older man is sitting at the table next to ours. He looks like he may be in his sixties, with a look of hate or even disgust, concealing it as all eyes turn to him.

He doesn’t want people to see his hatred, but I did. I saw it. He never took his eyes off Salvatore.

After the chatter stops, he speaks.

“As you all know, I used to be Salvatore’s father's right-hand man. I was there from the day he was born. I watched him grow and become the man he is today. I was like his second father.” He gives Salvatore a menacing look, a hidden meaning behind his words. “I just wish your father was here today so he could see you committing to continue his name, his legacy.” Salvatore stiffens beside me, and without thinking, I put my hand on his thigh, giving it a little squeeze. With a smirk, the man raises his glass. “Congratulations, to Salvatore and to the future, to continuing your father’s legacy.” He drinks from his glass, but no one except him drinks until Salvatore drinks first. After that, the chatter in the room comes back and everyone continues doing what they did before. Everyone except Salvatore and Gabriel, who are staring at the man who said he was like his father. The tension between them makes me shiver.

As soon as Salvatore gives his attention to me, I ask. “What’s going on?”

His jaw ticks. “Nothing for you to worry about tonight.” I narrow my eyes at him and open my mouth to argue when he adds, “We should retire to our room.”

Why do I have a feeling that what that man said has affected him? And I know he won’t share it with me. Acknowledging my defeat, I nod.

I don’t know these people anyway, and the tension is something I can do without.

“Can you make sure my friend is taken care of? She will need a ride home.” I look at Cece, who is in deep conversation with a woman next to her.

“Sure.” He leans over and whispers to Gabriel.

I hug my friend before I take Salvatore’s hand, letting him lead me toward the exit.

I expected our exit to be followed with cheers and whistling, people yelling ‘bed her’ and all that Italians do on the wedding night, but I was wrong. I exhale a breath of relief that I don’t need to handle that.

When the elevator door opens, Salvatore’s hand finds the naked skin on the small of my back, ushering me inside. Like he’s sensing my thoughts, he says. “The first thing I did when I took over from my father is erased the bloody sheets. That is a personal thing, and no woman should be judged on the blood on the sheets. As for the man, if he thinks he has something to prove by his actions in bed, then he is not fit to be in the family.”

I look at him in awe; I didn’t expect that from him. But if he what I found on him, then I shouldn’t be surprised.

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