Page 33 of Marry Me Not
But Alessio was right. Backing out of the wedding now would give Mother exactly the kind of ammo she needed. With Dad gone, the equation around the alliance had completely changed.
I looked up at Alessio. He was studying me with furrowed brows.
“It’s your birthright,” he said. “If you want it, you’re going to have to take it.”
Our empire wasn’t ruled by laws. It was ruled by conquerors. If I wanted this kingdom of dirty money and ruthless men to be mine, I had to claim it.
Even if it meant bringing Fabiana closer when every rational part of me knew I should keep her far away.
Now I just had to convince the fiancée I’d spent months trying to drive off to agree to marry me.
I dragged my palms down my face.
Fuck.
CHAPTER 12
FABIANA
The call came latein the evening of the third day following Gino’s death. I was already in bed in my pajamas, drinking a cup of mint tea and flipping through a pottery magazine that had come in the mail today. The house was quiet. Cleo had gone to sleep early, and Rafe was working in his office downstairs. He’d been so busy that I’d barely seen him the last few days.
I glanced at the screen and stilled when I saw the caller’s name.
I’d been expecting it. Cosimo and I had things to discuss—namely when he planned to break the news to Rafe that we weren’t getting married. By now, he must’ve realized I was going to let him do the honors.
I picked up. “Hello.”
“Fabiana.” Cosimo’s voice was rougher than usual, as if strained by overuse.
I didn’t know how to sort through the feelings that hearing his voice stirred. He was still an ass, but he’d just lost his father, and I felt sorry for him. My anger had cooled in the aftermath ofGino’s death, though it hadn’t gone away entirely. I wasn’t sure it ever would after the way he’d treated me.
The silence stretched for a beat too long.
“I’m sorry about your dad,” I said. “It’s terrible what happened. I didn’t know him well, but we spoke a little at the engagement party, and I could tell he loved you a lot.”
“Thank you. That’s kind of you to say.” He sounded tired. Like he hadn’t slept in days. Was there anyone taking care of him?
I caught myself. Nope. None of my business.
I placed the half-empty mug on the nightstand. “How are you handling things?”
“There’s a lot to sort out now that he’s gone. I’m trying to stay on top of everything.”
“I can imagine.” I fingered the duvet. His answer didn’t touch on how he was actually feeling, but then again, why would it? We weren’t friends. Soon enough, we wouldn’t be anything to each other at all.
I cleared my throat. There was no point delaying the conversation any longer. “I haven’t said anything to Rafe yet about our engagement. As soon as he came home from his trip, he told me about Gino. It felt like the wrong time to bring it up. I figured there’s no reason you can’t call it off yourself now that you’re don.”
“I’m not don. In our family, when a don dies, there’s a period of mourning. Once the mourning period is over, the don is voted on and officially sworn in.”
I nodded slowly. “I see. So you’re still underboss.” Which had to mean he was in command by default. Right? That must be what Rafe had meant when he said Cosimo was now in charge. “Do you know when you’ll talk to my brother? About calling the engagement off?”
Silence.
“Cosimo? You still there?”
“I’m not calling it off.”
Something cold dropped through me. I sat up against the pillows. “What are you talking about?”
