o's

nter Edoardo's house. The old man is waiting for us at the entrance with a satisfied smile. He is

reets with a bow, which Antonio

he says, turning to me w

at I really want to do is shoot him in the forehead for forcin

g room of the house. "My wife is already bringing t

," Antonio interjects. "We want this to b

aughs wit

o's getting married! She's not just some

n the snort th

rdo, you're selling her," I snap, ann

gives me a warning look. I tak

hout losing his stupid smile, and using a cutting tone when using the nickname I'm known by in the d

one in this room has scruples, but at least on our side, there are li

ffer," his second-in-command intervenes.

," I reply with arrogance, making it c

laughs i

e's the best piece we have; she's the jewel in our crown. Bes

king about? She's a bambin

woman to have good offspring are numbered; we have to

room and the b*st*rd was ri

ke it, placing a kiss on the back

anna Romano," h

gaze again, trying

s finalize the details," the old man

instruction, and I start to get desperate

something small and q

when he's the one doi

"but not small. I want my daughter

di

nd I give him a dirty look, b

o lock myself in a cage to fight so I

se. I want to be do

sps when sh

rjects, "but a wedding can

u'll have

s with his eyes, I suppose for having the

th," he

nd that's my

at Antonio, but I'm sure he won't overrul

ns." I look at him with narrowed eyes; I know he's about to say something stupid. "They w

ts uncomforta

ined sheets as if this were a

that she saved h

d*mn report that proves i

at we falsified it, or that the bambina ra

ur sadistic guests seeing her blood. They don't need to

ame. We're discussing her intimacy, her body, as if it were an obj

oing that, Edoard

n our traditions. What could one expect when

swear to God I will walk out," Antonio w

I scoff. "Dare to say anything against her, an

hard; he knows neit

dn't mean to offend you." He

discuss." Antonio gives me a sign,

ack box. The girl's breathing next to me becomes erratic, and I have to

ng, sweaty hand, and place it on her finger.

ith pride. "A woman who is docile, obedient, trained t

ldr

nd never will be. This is just a pact, a facade. I will never touch this girl,