Page 64 of Savage Union
"My—my uncle," Caterina says, surprising me with her quick thinking. "On my mother's side."
It's a lie, but a convenient one. I make a mental note to find a suitable stand-in before the ceremony.
Father Alessandro nods, continuing down his list. "And have you discussed children? The Church views the openness to life as an essential aspect of the marital covenant."
I feel Caterina tense beside me, her breathing quickening slightly. The idea of children is clearly another reality of our impending marriage she's been avoiding.
"We will have children when the time is right," I state. The thought of Caterina carrying my child, of continuing the Rosso bloodline, sends an unexpected surge of possessiveness through me.
"And you're both entering this marriage with no prior entanglements? No previous marriages or commitments that would impede your ability to fully commit to one another?"
"None," I confirm.
"No," Caterina echoes, her voice oddly hollow.
The priest makes another note before looking up with a smile that's meant to be reassuring. "Now, this is a somewhat delicate topic, but I must ask about the physical aspect of your relationship."
I feel Caterina go completely still beside me.
"The Church teaches that intimate relations are reserved for marriage. Have you both been observing this teaching in your engagement period?"
The question hangs in the air between us. I know the expected answer—but before I can speak, Caterina surprises me yet again.
"We haven't been intimate," she says, her voice steady despite the flush creeping up her neck. "But I wouldn't mind if we were."
I turn to look at her, searching her face for the game she's playing, but her expression gives nothing away.
Father Alessandro clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "Well, I must encourage you to wait until after the sacrament has been performed. The anticipation will make your wedding night all the more?—"
"Father," I interrupt, my voice controlled despite the sudden heat coursing through my veins. "Would you excuse us for a moment?"
"Oh. Of course." He stands, looking relieved at the interruption. "I'll just... check on the preparations for Sunday's Mass. Take your time."
The moment the door closes behind him, I turn to Caterina. "What are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" Her expression is the picture of innocence, but there's a challenge in her eyes I know all too well.
"Don't play games with me, Caterina." I keep my voice low, though I doubt the priest would eavesdrop. "Why would you say that?"
"Say what? That I wouldn't mind if we were intimate?" She leans closer, her scent—vanilla and something uniquely her—clouding my senses. "Maybe it's true."
"Bullshit." The crude word feels strange in this setting, but necessary. "Three hours ago you were reminding me how much you hate the idea of marrying me."
"That was before you saved my life." Her gaze drops to my mouth for a fraction of a second before returning to my eyes. "I believe in repaying my debts."
Understanding dawns, sharp and unpleasant. "You think you owe me your body because I protected you?"
"Isn't that what you want?" The challenge in her voice is unmistakable now. "Access to my body? Isn't that part of this whole arrangement?"
I lean back, a cold fury replacing the heat from moments before. "If you think I want you out of obligation or gratitude, you understand nothing about me."
"Then enlighten me." She crosses her arms. "What do you want from me, Vito?"
The question is deceptively simple, the answer anything but. What do I want from her? Compliance, certainly. Respect, eventually. But there's more—something I'm reluctant to acknowledge even to myself.
"I want you willing," I find myself saying, the words emerging without my full permission. "Not grateful. Not obligated. Willing."
Her eyes widen slightly, genuine surprise replacing the calculated challenge of moments before. "That's... not what I expected you to say."
