“I’m serious. He’s been through too much losing Maeve. He’s a shell of the man I signed the martial contract with. Lying about his heir…” I pinched my eyes shut in pain. “It would kill him.”
“After the way he disrespected me, and in turn you, he deserves it.”
“He’s at his wit’s end, Father. And what about when he said it wouldn’t end well if I bore a child that wasn’t his?” I countered.
A cruel smirk curved on Father’s lips. “After seeing what I’m capable of, he wouldn’t dare harm a hair on your head. He’ll be toeing the line for years out of fear I might hurt Maeve.”
“How can you be so cruel?”
Father rolled his eyes. “Look, I told you before there was only one way you’d be allowed to keep this baby. If you go against my bargain, your child will die.”
I knew he’d banked on his statement frightening me into submission. But the truth was I’d prepared for it.
As tears threatened to overspill my eyes, I jerked my chin up in defiance. “If that’s the sacrifice I have to make to ensure Rafe isn’t deceived, then I’ll do it.”
Father bent over to where his mouth rested over my ear. “You naive little cunt. Do you actually think you can play my game?”
“Maybe I’m my father’s daughter,” I countered.
“You can’t begin to imagine what I have in my arsenal. Or perhaps I should saywho.”
Jerking back, I stared in horror at him. “You’d actually threaten me with the twins–your own flesh and blood.”
“There’s someone else you love just as much as them.”
Vittoria.
My glance flicked across the dance floor to where she was dancing with Adamo.
“You have my word,” I whispered.
Although I tried tearing myself away from him, Father kept me firmly in place. “Not until the song ends,” he commanded.
Gritting my teeth, I fought the urge to scream. I tried imagining what would happen if I did. If I just threw my head back and screamed and screamed until my throat was raw.
It was almost worth the repercussions Father would take to imagine his reaction. To see him publicly humiliated by his daughter in front of his elaborate sham of a party.
But I didn’t.
I didn’t for Vittoria’s sake. And the twins.
Instead, I disassociated from myself. I thought about a brownstone in New York. My sketchpad. Immortalizing Leo in art.
I was so immersed in that fantasy that I didn’t even realize the song had ended. It was Father releasing me that brought me back to the present.
Without a word to him, I whirled around and began my escape. I didn’t run away. I merely walked steadily. I did nothing that would bring attention to my pain. I spoke to people. I smiled.
It was only at the edge of the tent and when the guests were safely behind me, that I began to run.
And to cry.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: LEO
After enduring all I could of being close to Drea, I escaped from the table. I had every intention of disappearing somewhere in the garden. Sure, it was a pussy move to hide out, but it was all I could do to keep from going insane.
I’d almost escaped when Harper appeared in front of me. She threw her arms around my neck and squeezed me tight. “I was hoping I’d see you.”
Jesus, could this night get any worse? Although I had been whoring myself out to her for her father’s help with my casino, I sure as hell hadn’t asked her to be my date to the wedding.