Page 12 of When She Loves
I know I’lldefinitelylike having them in my mouth.
It’s like I said to Nero, Cleo is a bombshell. It’s been a while since I wanted to fuck someone as badly as I want to fuck my future wife. But I’m not about to say that to my sisters.
“This is a business arrangement. Cleo is as good as any other woman as far as I’m concerned.”
Fabi’s face falls. “Rafe…she’s going to be tied to you for life.”
She says it with pity, and if I had to guess, it’s not me she’s pitying.
There’s a light knock on the door, one I immediately recognize as our mother’s. “Come in,” I call out.
Mamma shuffles in, dressed in a light-blue outfit, and when she notices Fabi and Elena, her steps falter. “Am I interrupting anything?” she asks softly.
I spin my pen again. “Not at all.”
She meets my gaze, but as usual, she only holds it for a second before she looks away. It used to bother me how after all these years, she still can’t look at me. It’s like she sees the shadow of my father inside my eyes. But I’ve made peace with it.
“Maybe you can help us talk some sense into him,” Elena snaps.
“Regarding what?”
“This parody of a wedding! Mamma, do you really think this is a good idea?” Elena implores. “Rafe changes the woman he’s marrying days before the ceremony, and we’re all acting like it’s no big deal?”
I groan. “Trust me, no one is acting like it’s no big deal.” Since I made the announcement, my phone has been ringing nonstop with calls from the family. I swear, I forgot some of these relatives even existed. Aunt Eliza went as far as to show up here in person, all to say I’m bringing shame to the entire family by marrying someone with a reputation like Cleo’s. Uncle Philip had to drag her away when he saw the look in my eyes.
“It does seem a bit rushed,” Fabi says, trying to be more diplomatic than Elena. “Why not wait a bit?”
“The wedding has already been planned,” I say. “Caterers scheduled, church and venue booked.”
“So what?” Elena demands. “It’s not like anyone would argue about the extra work they’d have to do if you wanted to reschedule.”
“I delivered on my part of the deal with Cleo’s father, and now it’s time he delivers on his. After what happened with Gemma, I’m not taking any more chances. I want this squared away as quickly as possible.”
I also feel an incessantneedto see my ring on Cleo’s finger, but I’m not going to waste a second trying to figure out why that is.
Elena scoffs. “Deliver this, deliver that. She’s not a FedEx package, Rafe. She’s a human being. I get we’re all about arranged marriages around here, but to force her to marry you on two days’ notice? It’s ridiculous!”
My anger spikes. “I already said I am notforcingher into this. How many times do I have to repeat myself for you to get it?”
Elena grits her teeth.
“Mamma?” Fabi asks. “You haven’t said anything. What do you think?”
Mamma wraps her arms around herself. She doesn’t like being put on the spot. “I think you should trust your brother’s judgment. He is our don, and he knows what he’s doing.”
Elena groans, her cheeks turning a deep red. “You always take his side. I don’t understand why you never question him. Aren’t you at all concerned about this?”
Mamma shoots me a pleading look, asking me to save her from answering.
I clench my jaw and turn to my sisters. “I suggest the two of you save your concern for all those starving kids you’ve been trying to save by working at the UN. They appreciate your bleeding hearts far more than I do.”
Hurt flashes in Fabi’s eyes, and for a moment, there’s a vague tightening inside my chest, an echo of a feeling I used to experience before I taught myself to feel very little.
Elena comes to her rescue, the way she always does. “Charming,” she bites out. “I can see that you already can’t wait to send us back to Geneva.”
I don’t refute that statement, even though my sisters are dear to me. They’re my flesh and blood. I protect them and I care for them, but we’re not close like some siblings are. I’ve always sensed their resentment, especially Elena’s. We all know one day I’ll have to summon them back home and make them marry. And when that happens, they’ll have to leave the life they’ve built in Geneva behind.
I straighten out my jacket and round the desk. “I’m leaving. My fiancée is waiting for me.” There’s no need for me to entertain any more of this female disapproval, especially when everything’s already been set in motion.
