Page 24 of Urgent Vows
Her eyes widen and she seems to realize what she has done. "I am sorry, Severu. I don't mean to be disrespectful. Of course your man should get me whatever kind of clothing you think best."
I don't like the lack of emotion in her tone, or the way she seems to stare through me rather than look at me. However, I have to set a precedent here. I cannot allow her disrespect to go unanswered.
I cannot show weakness.
My mouth set in a severe line, I acknowledge her apology with an inclination of my head. Then I snap my fingers at Aldo and he immediately starts texting on his phone.
CATALINA
Every time I let myself forget that I'm the consolation bride and start to think I somehow matter to my new husband, he says or does something to remind me of my place.
In the mafia there is a hierarchy for everything, but I always find myself at the bottom.
Don't forget your place.
Women in our world hear that phrase repeatedly before we are old enough to attend school. My father has certainly said it often enough to me, but my mother did too before her death. Zia Lora says it too. It's an attempt to protect me, but the words are something I will never say to my own children.
They'll hear it anyway. From Severu. From Aria. But not from me.
I'm so tired.
Turning my head away from Severu's penetrating gaze, I let my eyes close.I do not know how long I lay there in silence. At some point, I hear the doctor take his leave. I hear two sets of footsteps, one the hushed thuds of rubber soled shoes. The nurse. She is gone too.
Severu says something to Aldo about a box.They talk in low tones together and I don't try to hear what they are saying.
I'm doing my best to manage my pain. The pills Severu gave me earlier have long since worn off. The poking, prodding and shifting necessary for my examination has only made everything hurt more.
I hear the rustle of movement near me.
"I have pain relievers for Mrs. De Luca." It's the nurse.
Apparently, she noticed how my husband refuses to let anyone near enough to touch me now that the exam and X-rays are finished. Unlike the doctor, she speaks to Severu rather than to me, the patient.
So, I ignore her and do not bother to open my eyes.
"Catalina, I know you are not sleeping." Fingertips lightly touch my face and turn it toward the sound of Severu's voice.
I open my eyes and look at him. "I wasn't trying to pretend I was."
"Here are pills for you to take. They will help with the pain."
If he knows I wasn't sleeping, he knows I heard the nurse say they are painkillers. I frown, but don't call him out on stating the obvious. I'm not sure what's wrong with me right now that I would even be tempted to do that.
It's like the patience I usually extend to the world is all used up.
I see the small paper pill cup in his hand and the glass of water with a straw in his other one. Unlike other hospitals, it really is a glass, not a plastic cup, or the water bottle they give you when you're in overnight.
I reach for the pills, and he gives them to me. I toss them to the back of my throat and then reach for the water, but he holds onto it and brings the straw directly to my mouth.
I drink and swallow the pills.
"Drink more water," he instructs when I try to turn my head away again.
I refuse the offered straw. "I'm not thirsty."
"Drink."
"You are really bossy." And I'm not going to apologize for saying that either.
