Page 36 of Mafia Bride
He sighs again.
“If you don’t disobey me or cause trouble for me, you go to school.”
He already said he wouldn’t demand sex, so rather than bring it up again to clarify, I assume obedience includes anything but that.
“Fine,” I say. “Deal.”
“This is all, then?”
“No.” I take a sip of coffee to prevent myself from saying thank you.
We hold each other’s gaze in a psychological game of chicken. I will not yield. I cannot yield.
Eventually, Santino nods, and taps his phone. “Make your summer reading list and deliver it to Armando.” He hands me the phone. Zio’s full name glows at the top with a green circle under it. “He’ll get you the books.”
“Thank you,” I manage, with a control I never knew I had. I don’t grit my teeth. I don’t spit at him. I don’t claw his eyeballs out, even though that’s all I want to do.
He gets up. We’re done here.
I’m about to tap the green circle to start the call, but I don’t. He might be done but I’m not.
“Why?” I’m whining. I sound weak and I don’t care. “Why me?”
“You’re not going to want that information once you have it. You’ll have to wait until I think you’re ready to know.”
He reaches over my shoulder and taps the green circle to connect me to my Z’s. I put the phone to my ear. It’s ringing. In the house where I grew up, the phone is ringing, and the feeling of connection overwhelms me. I never want them to pick up. I just want to hear a sound in that house from where I am.
Santino kisses the top of my head before he leaves.
I might be crazy, and after these last several days I very well might be, but that kiss on my head felt almost protective. Tender. I have to remind myself it’s a stinking lie.
Fuck Santino DiLustro for the rest of my fucking life. He’s made me happy with a soulless ring, and I want my zia. Maybe once she picks up, the spell will be broken and she’ll tell me this is all a bad dream. I want Zia to tut-tut at me and tell me I’ve been sleeping too long, and that it’s time to come downstairs.
Or, better yet, tell me they’ve found another way to settle the debt, and I’m free to go. They are coming to get me. One more minute and they’ll leave, they were just waiting to hear I was okay.
Hopes and wishes are the sole cause of disappointment.
“Violetta?” Zia Madeline answers the phone like I’m calling from the dead. Her voice is exactly how I feel. “Is that you?”
“Zia.” Immediately, my face runs hot and a lump forms in my throat. “It’s me.”
“Oh, my sweet Violetta. I was worried we wouldn’t hear from you for a long time. I am so happy to hear your voice! How are you?”
“I’m...fine.” I can’t help it. Her voice ruins me, and I’m nothing but tears and hot breath.
I feel Santino’s presence in the house. I swore I’d never cry again, especially not in front of him, but now I won’t even do it when he’s in another room, because he can walk in any second and see me fall apart.
Zia hollers for Zio. Behind me is the kitchen, and behind the counter is a hidden pantry. I can get some privacy.
I slide into the pantry and shut the door quietly behind me.
“I miss you so much, Zia.” I crouch in the darkness. “I want to come home.”
“I know, my baby. I know.” Her voice soothes the burning ache in my gut and now I’m crying. “Is he taking care of you?”
“I’m fine. He hasn’t hurt me or anything.” I manage to tell a technical truth. I neglect to tell her about his constant threats upon my arrival.
“Of course not. He’d cause a war if he did.”
