Page 34 of Obsession & Oath

“If you ever dream of becoming the Grasso di Ferro’s don?—”

“You are mistaken,” I interrupt with a severity I didn’t realize I truly felt. “I never dreamed of this.”

For a moment, my heart clenches at the sight of my mother’s sorrow. Evident, as it always has been, in her downturned her lips and the furrow of her brow. The familiarity of the look on her face does little to ease my fraying conscience.

Still, I force myself to turn my back on her.

The corridor grows cooler as I descend toward the castle’s basement, the polished grandeur of the upper floors giving way to stone walls and dim light, a walk I must have done at least two dozen times by now.

The unrestrained desire I felt before has evolved into something more honed, more purposeful, carved by misplaced anger toward Rina and my mother. Toward Rocco and Leon. Toward Carmen herself and this entire situation.

I’m not a man who has ever denied himself anything.

As I take the cell door keys from the lock box, I take comfort in the fact that this, at least, hasn’t changed.

When I enter the hallway to the cells, it’s around the usual time for my evening visits.

Last week, I might have broken the silence with a rant about my unwanted house guest or a question I’d been mulling over all day about Carmen’s apparent equestrian skill set.

Today, I approach the bars, keys dangling between my fingers, and wait for her to acknowledge me.

Her steps are quiet as she approaches. Her slim arms are held across her chest as her eyes narrow on the object in my hand. She examines it closely as if trying to determine its authenticity.

Finally, she pulls away.

“What is this?”

I loop the keys carelessly around my finger. “It would be easier if I came in and showed you.”

Chapter10

Carmen

My heart is practically beating through my ribs.

Not once when I propositioned Dante this morning did I ever think he was going to take me up on it.

Now he’s standing here, calling my bluff.

As if my body isn’t already screaming at me to accept his offer, to let him do whatever he wants to me. Even if he wasn’t holding the key to my freedom in both his metaphorical and physical hands.

“What’s the problem, princess?” Dante smirks at my clear distress. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

I swallow hard. “I didn’t really think you’d be interested. Are your mother’s bachelorettes not entertaining enough for you?”

This wipes the smile from his face. “We need rules.”

“Rules?”

“Should you accept, of course,” Dante pulls away from the bars. “I’m still expected to announce an engagement before we return to Brooklyn, so this won’t be an exclusive…situation.”

I bite back the bile that rises in my throat at the thought. “You recall I have a fiancé of my own waiting for me back home.”

Dante’s eyes darken at that. The thin line of his lips becomes weighted with distaste.

Not that I can blame him when the reminder is just as unwelcome for me. I don’t think it’s anything personal; there’s a reason my father has been trying to keep the arrangement quiet. Even if it’s expected, the age difference is still unsettling.

“And you need to preserve your virginity for Prince Charming?” Dante’s voice is chilling.

---