Page 119 of Urgent Vows
"In other words, don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
I smile. "Exactly." Severu could have meted out a much harsher punishment for my sister's lies and betrayal.
He's not the most compassionate man.
He is hard and ruthless, but he is showing her mercy and even the stipulations are an extension of that. They will give my sister the chance to grow strong. Togrow upbefore she herself marries one day. If that is her future.
Once again, I get the impression that Severu's mercy is directed at me and not my sister though.
Chapter 39
CATALINA
Severu calls for my sister's bodyguard after dinner.
Carlotta and I hug, and she tells me she loves me again.
"I love you, too. I don't trust you though. Learn to be a person both your sister and your don can trust."
She nods. "You're a much better match for him than I ever was. I don't know why Papà didn't arrange the marriage between you two to begin with."
"Because he didn't think I was worthy." I'd determined weeks ago that I wasn't pretending with my family anymore.
Carlotta doesn't try to argue. She just nods again. "He was wrong. He never saw you for who you are, but we all knew how good, how strong, you are."
Byallshe means herself, Zia Lora and Zio Giovi. Thinking of him hurts, and it probably always will. I will never grieve Francesco's death but there will always be a wound in my heart for Giovi's.
I tell Carlotta goodbye as she steps into the elevator with her bodyguard.
The doors close and Severu sweeps me up into his arms.
"It's been a while since you let your caveman tendencies out. What's going on?" I ask breathlessly, expecting him to carry me to our bedroom.
But he goes toward the other wing. "I have something to show you."
He pushes open the door to Miceli's office, but his brother isn't here. Severu sets me on my feet.
"Why are we in Miceli's office?" I ask.
"We moved my brother's office downstairs."
"When?"
"A few weeks ago."
So, he and his men were talking in my brother-in-law's office the morning of Francesco's funeral. That explains why they were on that floor, but not why Miceli moved his office.
"Why?"
"Because I wanted this room for you."
Stunned, I stare up at him. "I don't understand."
"You need your own space."
It's something I want, but I haven't said anything. Not even to Aria. But Severu realized it anyway. My ruthless husband who takes such good care of me.
"That look." He shakes his head and then his mouth descends on mine.
