Page 64 of The One
Mariella
“What?” Mateo’s voice sounds like I’ve slapped him. “He wants you to spy on me?”
My heart sinks. This is going to end badly, I can just tell. But I have to tell him the truth, most of it, anyway. I could never repeat some of the things Father said to me.
“Flirt with him,” he had ordered.
If I hadn’t been so scared, I would’ve laughed.
How would I even know how to do that? He’s kept me away from men my whole life. They feel like a foreign species to me, and flirting might as well be a language I’ve never learned.
But that wasn’t the most jarring thing he said.
“Whatever you do, do not spread your legs for him.” Heat rushes to my face all over again at the memory. I’ve never felt more humiliated.
You’d think Father said those crude words because he’s worried about my marriage prospects if I lose my virginity, but that’s not the real reason.
No, judging by what came next, his only worry was that if I gave myself to Mateo, it would guarantee he’d lose interest in me.
“Men like Mateo De Marco enjoy the chase,” he said. “Once they’ve had their fun, they move on to the next challenge.”
That hurt!
I still doubt that Mateo sees me as anything more than Antonio Accardi’s daughter. Father just believes his own version of reality.
But then, Mateo is here, isn’t he?
It was he who picked me up, despite Gustavo already waiting for me.
What does that mean?
I shake my head, trying to rid myself of my father’s words.
“I told Father I don’t see you often and that I’m not privy to anything important. But he insisted I keep my eyes and ears open.” I mimic air quotes as I repeat his words. “He said there’s always something to learn by listening to the guards or watching who shows up at Carloso.”
Mateo’s expression darkens, fury clouding his features.
“Please, you have to believe me. I would never betray you orla famiglia.” My voice wobbles. “Father must be worried about not becoming consigliere after what happened recently. He’s a control freak who—”
“Don’t make excuses for him,” he interrupts, his jaw clenching tight. “He doesn’t deserve your kindness.”
Merda.He’s angry now, fuming actually.
“Tell me, Mariella, did Antonio place you in Tiero’s house on purpose when he was looking for someone for Ella?”
My heart races, every muscle in my body tensing at the question.
Oh god, now I’m really worried about my father’s future and how he’ll come after me if he doesn’t make consigliere because of what I admitted. But Mateo must have already worked it out.
“Go on, Mariella.”
I force myself to meet his eyes.
“He wanted me to befriend Ella. He hoped I could influence her, and in turn, have her sway the Don on certain matters.” My lips twist into a bitter smile. “It shows how little he knows me. I’m not the kind of person who can influence anyone, especially not someone as confident as Ella. But defying my father, there’s always a price to pay.”
Mateo’s gaze sharpens, but he says nothing.
“I went because I had no choice. I served Ella the best I could. We did become friends, in a way, but that was because I genuinely liked her, not because of anything my father wanted. He got mad when I didn’t give him the information he was expecting.”
