Page 118 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
Despite everything.
Despite having to survive this morning where reality is like a prison around us.
“Coffee?” he asks in a voice so afflicted that even Cleo notices.
She looks between the two of us, her brows pinching together. “Did I get you in trouble, Ras?”
Ras’s expression flattens, his mask once again in place.
If only Cleo knew the trouble we’re both in now.
She finishes her espresso. “Is Papà mad at you about what happened with Ludovico? I’ll tell him there was nothing you could do. You were watching Gemma.”
“Don’t worry about me,” he tells her, going over to make me an espresso even though I never answered his question. “We’re all just glad you’re okay.”
When he hands me the espresso, our fingers brush.
Sparks. Electricity. Goosebumps.
I sip on the bitter drink and look out the window.
It’s snowing again.
* * *
We get home an hour later. The car ride is tense. I catch Ras looking at me, and there’s something wounded in his expression.
I remember how he tried to convince me to leave, and how I shut him down over and over again. I might have hurt him, but it’s for the best. I can’t risk getting him sucked into this mess.
“Mamma?” I call out as I take off my jacket, surprised she’s not here to greet us. She’s been blowing up my phone with messages all morning.
The door to Papà’s office swings open, and he comes out clutching his cellphone in his hand, looking like he just hung up on someone.
The expression on his face makes my stomach drop.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen him this furious.
“Where’s Mamma?”
Cleo takes a step forward. “Have you heard—”
“Pietra left an hour ago to go see Ludovico’s mother. Ludovico is dead.”
There’s a twinge of relief inside my chest.Good riddance.It’s a horrible thought, but after last night, it’s clear he wouldn’t have made Cleo a worthy husband.
I wonder if Papà even bothered thinking about what a poor match those two would have made. Probably not, since everything Papà does is in his own best interest.
It’s hard to believe that wasn’t painfully obvious to me until recently.
Cleo is damaged goods as far as everyone is concerned. Papà knows he can’t lie about her being a virgin. Cleo would never go along with that lie. He decided to give her to Ludovico so that the man would keep breaking his back for him.
At least he’d get something out of it.
“Ras, leave us. I need to speak to my daughters.” Papà’s tone brokers no argument, but Ras doesn’t move from his place behind us.
I glance at him over my shoulder and give him a barely there nod. He clenches his jaw, and then he hesitantly walks in the direction of the kitchen.
Cleo and I follow Papà into his office. The air vibrates with tension, and the house is deathly quiet. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn Papà has sent the servants away. He’s done that before when he was so angry he couldn’t stand the thought of seeing anyone in his space.
