Page 152 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
Today, I thought about the first time I kissed you in the kitchen back in the castello.When I snapped out of it and realized what I’d done, I was horrified, but for the wrong reasons. I was afraid I’d hurt you, yes, but I was also worried you’d reveal what happened to your brother and damage my relationship with him.
I was wrong about many things, including Damiano. We’ve had a chance to speak more these past few days, and he’s made it clear that he’d never put his political aims above you. It’s made me respect him more. It’s also showed me that I projected my own insecurities onto you. I came up with all these external reasons why we could never work, but the real reason has always lived inside of me.
I didn’t think I was good enough for you. I thought that once you knew my history and who I really was, you wouldn’t want me anymore. And when you said you still did…I didn’t believe it. I was sure it was a fluke, and that one day, you’d wake up and come to your senses.
I’m sorry.
That’s why I pushed you away.
I let my fear guide me.
I promise you, I’ll never let fear guide me again.
Giorgio
I pull my bottom lip over my teeth. Vale was right when she analyzed him earlier. He’s starting to get it. He’s seeing his mistakes.
But is it enough? Does he truly understand everything he’s done wrong?
Well, there’s no point in leaving the last letter unread.
Dear Martina,
The days that have passed have given me clarity. I so angry when your brother announced you’d accepted Grassi’s proposal. Furious at Damiano, at that fucker Matteo, at you, at myself. I was so lost in that desperate anger that I didn’t consider you may’ve had your own reasons for agreeing to that marriage. My instinct was to assume you were doing it out of spite. I am a vengeful person, and I forget that you are not at all like me in that regard.
Now, I think I understand your motivations better. You love your brother, and you knew the marriage would help his cause. I think you wanted to make a sacrifice for him. A gesture of your love and commitment.
I’m sorry for taking that opportunity away from you, but I’m not sorry for breaking off your engagement. Matteo would never be good enough for you. He would have dimmed your light, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. Not when I’ve seen how bright you can shine.
I love you, Martina. To call you my wife would be my life’s greatest honor. But I shouldn’t have tried to ensnare you by making a deal with your brother. I’m so sorry. You are not an item I can negotiate for, and I promise I’ll never treat you again as such.
So I’m doing now what I should have done all along.
Marry me, piccolina. I’m asking you, only you.
Giorgio
The letter falls out of my hands just as Vale bursts into the room. “Mari! Dem just called!”
I rise off the couch, my heart in my throat. “What did he say?”
“Sal’s dead. Dem and Ras are okay,” she says, her eyes watering, but I can’t tell if it’s from sadness or relief.
I take a step forward. “And Giorgio?”
When she scrunches up her features, the floor falls from beneath me.
No. Please don’t say he’s—
“He’s hurt.”
A weakness unlike any I’ve ever felt before washes over me, and I crumble to the ground. Through my blurred vision, I see Vale run to me.
“Mari!” Her palms wrap around my shoulders. “He’ll be okay. He’s getting medical assistance now.”
“What happened?” I can barely hear her over the sound of blood rushing inside my ears. I can’t lose him.
“Polo was there. They fought. Giorgio…killed him.”
