Page 110 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
I tap my fingertips against the armrest. “He’s been following me, but his tails aren’t very good. I’ve lost them every time. I don’t know if he’s singling me out, or if he’s doing the same to others.”
“It’s not just you,” Damiano says. “He’s more paranoid than he’s ever been. Be careful.”
“You know you don’t need to tell me that.”
“How is she?”
I drag my palm over my jaw. “She’s doing well. Much better than before.”
“Honestly?”
“Yes.”
He exhales. “I’m glad to hear it. When I spoke to her on her birthday, she did sound better. I need to talk to her about something, but Vale tells me I shouldn’t breach the topic until I’m confident she’ll take it well.”
“What topic?”
“The Grassis promised their support under the condition that she weds their eldest son.”
My jaw clenches so hard I think I might shatter my teeth. “And you agreed?”
“I agreed to consider it,” he says uneasily. “They are one of the oldest Casalesi families, and a closely knit tie with them would mean unfettered access to their militia. That manpower is valuable.” He sighs. “I should have prepared her for this possibility, but we spent so long isolated on Ibiza that it was easier to pretend it would never come to this. In truth, I wasn’t sure it ever would. I spent far too much time trying to decide if I should challenge Sal.”
Liar.Deep inside, he knew De Rossi may have bided his time, but from the moment I met him, I knew one day he’d fight for what Sal took from him and his family.
It must be easier for him to pretend that the decision could have gone either way. How else could he justify allowing Martina to live in fantasy land?
That girl has no idea she’s going to be traded away for an alliance. The question is, how will she react when she finds out?
She loves her brother, and she wants him to succeed. She might talk herself into making the sacrifice for his sake. That’s exactly the kind of person she is.
My free hand tightens into a fist. “When will you tell her?”
“Not right away. I want to wait until I can see her in person.”
“And if she says no?”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”
I run my tongue over the inside of my bottom lip. “I’ll let you know if I find any useful recordings.”
“Good. Let’s stay in close contact on this.”
I hang up and throw my phone across the desk.
Fuck him.
The whole practice is barbaric. Trading away young girls to men usually much older than them in what amounts to a business transaction.
And I’m no damn better, because the truth is, if De Rossi offered her to me, I’d already be driving her to the fucking chapel.
I spend another hour scrolling through tapes. When a knock sounds, I’ve managed to nearly forget about the marriage proposal, but as soon as Martina peeks inside the room, my anger spikes right back.
The eldest Grassi kid is a nobody. The only thing he has going for him is his fucking last name. What is he going to do with her? He won’t be able to handle her. Martina might obey her brother, but that doesn’t mean she’ll fold to anyone else’s whims.
I should fucking know.
She steps into the room, giving me a full view of her silky black dress. It molds to her body and reaches to her mid-thigh. “Dinner is ready,” she says, giving me a bright smile.
