cide if it wanted to cry. It tapped the roof of the

spine straight, her knees tight together, her finger

on the seat, his legs spread slightly as if the world already belon

't look

ould smell the sharpness of his cologne-clean, masculine, ri

es pa

blurred together with the soft fog on the glass. They were le

ou to cry," h

y the sound of his voice.

tears on things

le, one that didn't reac

t you?" she asked, finally

oved to her slowl

something the weak do. You'

ensed. "You d

said simply. "Every minute you

ver her chest. "What h

hout hesitation. "But not enoug

eath c

said "I do." Not for love. Not for fa

ave a choic

," he replied. "You just

ooked

distance-tall gates, stone walls, glowing windo

't belon

would be he

re

t gate. Armed guards stepped aside after

ates from the outside," Vincenzo said, hi

didn't

wet stone. The house loomed ahead. It was beautiful, in a w

r door. Lucia didn't move at first. Her hand reached f

, misting her skin as she stood

ater, his umbrella shielding t

ch me," sh

n't,"

ouching me-even

lightly raised. "You're not ready

ned before sh

red above them. Marble floors stretched ahead like polish

e, Mr. and M

idn't r

o her. "I'll take

inked. "

hout turning. "You'll hav

ack disappear up

t. As if he'd done this before. As if this

m at the end. When the door opened, Lucia ste

s bea

ked like it had never been slept in. Eve

whispered to herself. "It'

left with

hands rested in her lap again. The sil

at her we

felt he

ed her. She stood quickly,

r opene

a guard. Or m

it

?" she b

p but neat, his clothes casual. Clea

uc

sked, backing up a step. "You-Yo

, closing the door behind him. "

posed to be in danger. You were th

u to," he said,

oze. "

to involve you. I made a deal with Vincenzo. I agreed to h

ine the whole time? While I stood there

ce you to marry him. I th

ed away, e

uld have

ix it without drag

into fists. "We

creaked b

tur

ning against the frame, a

enough,

s darted be

r brother. "You knew she'd say yes if she thought you w

shoulder

ouldn't want your sister overhearing t

rward. "Tell me

s, the cold back in

o, who hesitated... then

nzo s

sm