Page 243 of The One
She nods, but I can see the lingering hurt in her eyes.
“Maybe. But the outcome is the same.”
She takes a bite of her cake, chewing thoughtfully.
“I will meet Andrea. There’s no stopping me, Mari. This is my chance to make my own choices, and I’m not going to squander it.
“God knows who will try to arrange my marriage next. I refuse to let someone else decide my future for me again. I won’t be married off like a business transaction.”
I exhale, my heart twisting for her. “Mammawouldn’t allow that. Not now that we’re free of Father.”
“I don’t think so either, but if certain parties pressure her, what then?” She tilts her head, watching me carefully. “Or worse, what if someone approaches your husband with a proposal for me?”
I freeze, the idea creeping me out. “He wouldn’t agree to it, Isa. Not without your consent.”
Her voice softens, but there’s steel beneath it.
“Let’s be real, Mari. As Mateo’s sisters-in-law, me and the girls are valuable. A well-placed marriage could strengthen alliances, just like with Father. A man could woo us, charm us, make us feel safe and get our consent, only to reveal his true colors when it’s too late to escape.”
She takes a deep breath, her eyes dark with determination.
“I don’t want a life likemamma’s. I want out. And the only way to do that is to marry a regular man, someone completely removed from our world.”
I’m not sure what to say. Part of me wants to argue, to tell her she’s being paranoid. But I can’t. Because she’s right.
I reach for her hand, squeezing it.
“I’ll support you no matter what.” I swallow hard, my own fears bubbling to the surface.
“If Mateo and I had a choice, we’d pick the quiet, predictable life too. I love him, Isa. So much. I want to grow old with him and have lots of babies.”
My voice drops to a whisper, tears stinging my eyes. “But I don’t think we’ll get that chance. With everything happening around us, all these attacks… it’s only a matter of time before one succeeds.”
Isa squeezes my hand in return, her grip firm, reassuring. She doesn’t say anything… she doesn’t have to. The unspoken understanding between us says enough.
We both know what this world does to love.
And I fear the day it might take mine away.
Chapter Ninety-Two
Mateo
“Maximo, you devil,” I greet my cousin as he exits the armored SUV, pulling him into a tight hug and slapping his back.
“Teo,” he responds just as eagerly, stepping back to give me a once-over. His sharp gaze narrows before he smirks. “You look like shit.”
“Gee, thanks, man. Tell it like it is, will you?”
“You know I always will.”
Shaking my head with a chuckle, I turn to Aldo Marino, his family’s consigliere, and clasp his hand in a firm shake. “Aldo. Good to see you again.”
“Mateo. My condolences.” His nod is respectful, his eyes knowing.
Max and I walk side by side into the house.
“I hate that my visit is under these circumstances,” he says, his voice sincere. “When I got your call, I barely believed it. I’m just glad we can also celebrate something happy.” His grin returns, bright and mischievous. “Rom filled me in on the way from the airport. You got married.” He claps me on the back, shaking his head. “Unbelievable. Mateo De Marco, a married man.”
