Page 107 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
Rafaele frowns. “How so?”
“I don’t believe for a second that he’s okay with this. He’s Papà’s only son. The position of don is his.”
Rafaele stares at me for a long while and then says, “The whole thing was your brother’s idea.”
I laugh. It’s a shock response, a thing to do when I can’t formulate words. My pulse gets louder and louder in my ears, and Rafaele just keeps staring, cataloging my reactions.
I want to hit him.
I want to punch him right in the face for being such as filthy fucking liar. “Bullshit.”
“Vince was pulled into our negotiations when Stefano and I couldn’t agree on the terms of our deal. Stefano thought his son might have some creative ideas, and he did. He said he didn’t want to become don because he wants to continue running his own things abroad. He asked me what I thought about becoming your father’s successor. I wasn’t sold at first. I thought he wasn’t being honest with me. But then I went to visit him in Switzerland and saw what he’s built there. It’s impressive.” Rafaele takes a sip of his drink. “He convinced me he really meant what he said. We had to work out how to get your family to accept me, and that’s when it became obvious I’d have to marry my way in. Vince thought you were the best option. I wasn’t sure it was going to work out, because you didn’t seem too agreeable or interested during our initial meeting. But then the war with the Riccis began, and your papa said you were on board. When I saw you months later, it appeared you’d changed your tune. You seemed committed, just like Vince said you would be. Your brother’s not a pawn, Gemma. He orchestrated all of it.”
The wineglass in my hand shakes.
I put it on the table and press my spine into the leather seat. I don’t want to believe him. My brother wouldn’t do that to me.
My brother wouldn’t use me like that.
But then I remember the things he said in Ibiza, and I suddenly see them in a different light.
“I could never live with Papà breathing down my neck.”
“He’s lucky to have you, Gem. Very lucky. He raised three selfish kids, and one selfless daughter.”
“I’m not going to convince you of anything. I don’t agree with Vale. You should marry Rafaele.”
Acid floods my mouth. Back then, I was touched that Vince had looked into Rafaele on my behalf. I thought he was watching out for me. Instead, he’d probably done all that research to make sure his masterplan wouldn’t fail. This is why he’s been ignoring my calls. He’s probably scared of what I have to say.
“Gemma.”
I blink. Rafaele looks at me and then glances down at the emerald ring on my hand. “I can’t give you love. But I can give you respect and honesty. And I can promise that I’ll treat your family the way I treat my own.”
I nod numbly.
There is no way out of this marriage. Not when Papà, Vince, and Rafaele are all working together. There’s nothing I can do. Nothing anyone can do.
My fate is sealed.
Nero interrupts us. “Rafe, you’ve got a call. I think you should take it.”
Rafaele takes the phone from Nero. “Excuse me.” He walks away with his consigliere, and the two of them disappear behind a hidden door off to the side.
Ras is beside me as soon as they’re gone, his thigh bumping against mine. “Are you all right?”
I swallow. My throat is bone dry. “No.”
“What’s going on?”
“Papà didn’t lie to me about Vince.” It takes effort to get the words out of my mouth. “He really is giving up his position. He doesn’t want to be don. He wants it to be Rafaele.”
Despair wraps around me. I’ve always tried to do the right thing, so what did I do to deserve this? A father who lies to me and hits me. A brother who manipulates me and uses me for his own gain. They’ve laid an elaborate trap and forced me into a corner. There’s no way out.
Ras is saying something, but a movement across the dance floor catches my attention. I jump to my feet. “Is that Ludovico?” My eyes widen when the crowd parts. “Oh God, he’s all over Cleo.”
Ras stands, his eyes narrowing on the scene playing out on the other side of the VIP area. Ludovico is tugging Cleo into him, trying to grind up on her from behind while my sister tries to shove him away. She breaks his hold, whirls around, and shouts something right into his face.
My stomach drops. He’s drunk, and I think Cleo’s in trouble.
