Page 5 of Unholy Union
“Have a seat,” he says after a few seconds. “We can get this out of the way.”
What “this” is, I have no clue. My heart beats at a slow, punchy pace that only increases the dread of the moment. I cross the room to take one of the chairs opposite his desk.
Papi’s office is like his sanctuary. The walls are a dark mahogany with tall, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on either side of the room. Textures like the aged wood of his desk and button-tufted leather chairs work in tandem to give the space a distinctly masculine feel. The smoky scent of cigars mixed with his spicy cologne only punctuate this.
He takes off his reading glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose, releasing a long, deep sigh. “Sabrina, my princess, this is not easy for me to say,” he begins in a solemn tone. “I’ve had many sleepless nights pondering if this was the right choice to make.”
My brows knit, my palms clammy in my lap. “Papi, please… just tell me what’s going on.”
Is it his health? Is he sick like Mami was? Has someone else in the family passed away like Leo? Are we in financial trouble?
The construction company is worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Though I’m not really involved with the company beyond being a non-executive board member, he’s always made it clear he’s wanted me to take a bigger role when I graduated.
My personal aspirations and interests, be damned.
Could it be the company is in trouble?
My mind runs the gamut of trying to figure out what it could possibly be…
He sighs again. “I’ve always told you, you would make some man very happy someday. Well, princess, that day… has finally come. I have made arrangements for you to be wed.”
“You… what?” I stammer, blinking fast out of the shock slamming into me. “You… I don’t understand…”
“You are aware of how these things sometimes happen in our world, Sabrina. Families sometimes come to these decisions out of our best interests.”
“Our best interests? What aboutmybest interests?!”
“Tone,” he warns sternly, and I automatically clamp my mouth shut. “The matter is very complex. There were few options left. I’m only growing older, and Leo is no longer with us. We need a means of cultivating power if the Corsini name is to remain on top. This is the way to achieve that.Andavoid further bloodshed.”
My eyes snap shut. “Who is he? Who is it, Papi? Who have you given me away to?”
Oh god… please don’t let it be Matteo…
He scrubs at his face some more, like it pains him even to think about it. “You’ve been promised to Cato Valente. The wedding will be next week. Your engagement dinner is tomorrow night.”
I’d be less shocked if he told me I was really some alien from the planet Mars. Or my birth parents gave me up for adoption. Or any other possible piece of news than this.
A marriage to Cato Valente? The same Cato Valente who’s the son of Papi’s greatest rival? The same Valente family responsible for Leo’s death?
None of it makes any sense.
My head immediately throbs, a wave of dizziness washing over me.
“He killed Leo,” I croak out finally. I blink back the tears watering my eyes, trying so hard to hold them back. “Papi, their family took Leo from us.”
“Do you think I need a reminder of what happened, Sabrina?” he snaps irritably. His teeth grind together as he pushes his chair back and rises toward the large window overlooking the estate. “Part of this lifestyle is recognizing that you keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Leo was a tragic loss that caused us unimaginable pain. But it’s time to make moves that will benefit our family and stop the bloodshed. You’re the one capable of ending this war. This marriage will ensure a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
I’ve stopped fighting the tears. They slip freely down my cheeks, the horror frozen on my face. I shake my head and cry out, “How could you do this to me? How could you do this to Leo?”
“Enough!” he snarls. “The decision has already been made. It is not up for discussion. This was merely a father letting his princess know of her fate. Now go clean up your face and get with Nella about tomorrow night’s event. She’ll be able to help you prepare.”
Our talk—if you can even call it that—is over.
I know because Papi pushes his reading glasses back onto his face and resettles at his desk to tap away at his laptopkeyboard. He spares me no further glance or means of address. I’m summarily dismissed.
Still shocked to my core, barely able to even form a thought, I stumble out of the chair and leave the room as quickly as I can.
I’d pinch myself in hopes this is some horrible nightmare, but I know better.
