Page 8 of Tormented Diamonds
Fuck this. I was trying to spare her feelings, but enough is enough.
“That ‘someone’ will be my wife.”
She stills. “I’m sorry, yourwhat?”
“My wife,” I repeat, lifting my left hand and flashing my ring. “That’s why I’m dressed like this. You didn’t crash a party. You crashed my wedding.”
“I don’t understand,” she says, her eyes locked on my finger. “How can you be married?”
“Rather easily, it turns out. Two vows, two rings, one inappropriate kiss and?—”
Her gaze snaps to mine. “I’m aware of the process. I just meant…” She tugs on her ponytail, pausing in what I assume is an unscripted backtrack; at least, I hope so. This bumbling damsel-in-distress routine is as authentic as gas station sushi. After a few seconds of silence, she drops her hand and straightens her shoulders. “I don’t understand the timeline.”
I take a slow drink and consider what to tell her. I never planned on keeping my marriage a secret, but the events surrounding it form a slippery slope. Becca is an outsider. My choice to wed her is going to draw a lot of questions and even more controversy. If I’m going to survive a week as boss, I have to stand by it openly and unapologetically.
Withinreason…
Cathalina has never given me a reason to distrust her, but she’s still a Damiano. The alliance between our families is surface-level at best. While I don’t believe she’s a mouthpiece for her father, the last few days proved anyone can be capable of anything.
So I offer a watered-down explanation, using her own words as a springboard. “Like you said, I was pushed into taking the throne. But the crown doesn’t come for free. You know that as well as I do.”
Understanding flashes in her dark eyes. “Toscano gave you a condition.”
“There were many ‘conditions.’ Benny made sure he got the maximum bang for his buck.” I can see something else spinning behind that fixed gaze. She’s shoving pieces of a scattered puzzle in places I know is about to piss me off. “Say what’s on your mind, Cat,” I mutter, staring into my glass. “It’s already seeped through to your face.”
“It’s just that after Marcello tried to force a union between us, it’s hard to imagine you’d go through with another arranged marriage.”
I glance up. “I never said it was an arranged marriage. Toscano expedited the ceremony, but the proposal was all mine.”
“Oh, I didn’t know…” she stammers, her cheeks heating. “I mean, it’s only been six months since Victoria?—”
“I know how long it’s been,” I say sharply. “I was there, remember?”
“Of course. I didn’t mean to imply that…” She twists her fingers so hard they match her cheeks. “What happened while you were away is none of my business.”
“You’re right. It’s not,” Anton pipes up from his perch against the wall.
Cathalina’s lips slam together, andI bite down on my molars to force back a smile.
That fucker is so out of pocket sometimes.
“So, you’re happy?” she asks tepidly.
I arch an eyebrow. “About the situation? Of course not. About marrying the woman I consider my perfect equal? More than a man like me has any right to be.”
I wait for an invasive follow-up. Instead, she rises to her feet with a curt nod. “Right. Well, I suppose congratulations are in order. Please give your wife my apologies. My father said nothing about a wedding, or I wouldn’t have…” She trails off with a half-hearted shrug. “It doesn’t matter now. Thank you for seeing me, Gianni.”
Before I can answer, my phone buzzes. I slide it from the inside pocket of my suit jacket to see a text from Anton.
Wrap this up. I don’t like when Damianos fish for info.
No shit.This isn’t how I envisioned spending my evening, either, but half of being a boss is shoving pacifiers in people’s mouths until it’s time to swing the knife around to their back. However, I’ve babysat her long enough.
I tuck my phone back into my jacket. “Anton will see you out.”
Cathalina smiles tightly and takes two steps toward the door only to stop and glance back at me. “I trust you’ll keep me coming here between us. If my father found out I was eavesdropping…” She blanches, the unspoken threat making her shudder. “Let’s just say there’s a reason he and Marcello got along so well.”
Fuck.
