ann

ro. You keep wri

ssible to stay still. I shifted again on the stool as my mother, Lucia, fusse

crystal flute. Her hair was pinned perfectly, her lips a deep red. Married at eighteen, b

of Italy, not just married off," Bianca sa

ucia glared sharply. "D

"Fine. I'm silent. Just

f once, when I was young enough to believe in fairytales. It hugged my waist, dipped just enough at the neckline to

ed...

. But maybe tha

final clasp at the back, "you belong to him

drifted to the mirror.

n

ne assumed I was some sheltered girl being tossed int

ngs, but watched him, listened to the way people spoke his name. The Butcher

ever said aloud

, like he didn't need to raise his voice to dominate a room. He was the kin

as going to

echoing in my head. Would he even look at me, re

to focus with two fingers, p

That's your only job now. Mak

Don't start with

drama. You must be soft. Obedient. Presentable

thoughts were a

die

u

had wandered places my mother would probably faint over. And when it came to Enzo... I'd imagined mo

bout it. Fantasized, late at night when everyone else was asleep. No

arefully, brushing a curl from my face. "It's

bitterly. "Mine lasted two minutes

a look. "You'

nca said. "I'm tell

thudding too loud in my chest. "

is: even if he doesn't love you-which, let's be ho

my mothe

glass. "Butcher or not, he's hot. There

, but I didn't just want duty. I didn't even want just good s*x.

my husband. Enzo's cold, yes, but he might not be heartless yet. Y

t to smile. I had seen it. Just a flick

first wife,"

"Men like th

e went crazy w

ct. Someone kills your wife, you retaliate. You don't go mad with grief.

ttled over

u two are terrible

ou'll be fine. Just remember: if it hurts, close your eyes and pr

gue in disapproval, b

h a wink, "and moan. L

despite myself, hidin

rrupted us. A voice from

eath

her shoulders. "You

dress. "Come on, let's get

n my legs. I turned toward the mirror. For a se

I re

I was

ath, fixed my veil, and

to marry En