Chapter 29
Twenty-Nine
REGINA
Joseph Ravera is as complicated as his brothers, the dark, impossibly handsome looks betraying a heart filled with contempt. There is no brotherly enthusiasm, merely cool indifference, and I pity them for that.
As we head into the living room, my mind switches to the sight before me, and it takes all of my effort not to drop my jaw in astonishment.
Like the smaller living room we visited earlier, this one is impressive but on a much grander scale.
There are several lit trees dotted around the huge space and not one fireplace but two at either end, groaning under the weight of red lit garlands of poinsettias on their mantels.
Huge tapestries hang proudly on gilded white walls, and several chandeliers twinkle overhead.
The room is warm and welcoming courtesy of the fires burning brightly, and the couches dotted around the room are more formal, low-slung tables to the side of them, huge ornate rugs at intervals around the room, laid on a porcelain floor.
I am overwhelmed with this house and never really believed people lived like this. I can only imagine how successful you must be to afford such a fine standard of living.
Nico’s parents are already here and stand when we enter the room, along with his brother Julius and the last one I haven’t met yet.
He watches me with all the cunning of a predator, and something like apprehension prickles through me as his gaze connects with mine.
In fact, seeing them all here together is an experience unlike any other.
Nico is surrounded by a dark aura, and his brothers are no exception.
His father is the scariest one of all, and I can only imagine how his mother must feel.
It’s a little intense, and as we head into the room, her warm smile is most welcome.
She beckons me to join her on the couch by the fire, and as I settle in between her and her husband; I edge more toward her than him. Nico sits opposite with two of his brothers on either side and the other one, Julius, sits in an easy chair, a glass of what appears to be whiskey in his hand.
“Nico, fetch Regina a drink.”
His mom says kindly, and he nods, heading toward a drinks cabinet on the far side of the room. I notice his brother Joseph head over to join him, and they speak in a low murmur as their father stares at his other brothers in silence.
It’s awkward as fuck, and as the flames dance in the fireplace, I cough nervously. “You are so lucky to have a large family who wants to spend time together.”
I catch the amusement in Simeon’s eyes as Sophia says softly, “We are blessed with our family, Regina. Tell us about yours.”
“Do I have to?” I groan and say quickly, “My parents are currently skiing in the Alps. Swiss, that is. They travel most of the year and always have.”
“That must be hard for you all.”
Sophia sounds sympathetic, and I shrug. “It’s no different. When I was growing up, they were never around. I was packed off to boarding school and joined them on the holidays wherever they happened to be.”
“What does your father do for a living?” She sounds interested.
“He doesn’t work; he merely follows Mom around.”
“Interesting.”
Sophia is probably the only one who thinks so, judging by the bored expressions on the faces of Nico’s brothers.
“Mom lives off her inheritance—she always has.”
“Inheritance?”
Nico’s father speaks for the first time, and I turn to him and smile.
“My grandparents were extremely rich, courtesy of my grandfather being high up in the stock exchange. He earned a lot of money in a short space of time and invested it wisely. He died fairly young of a heart attack, and my grandmother took the opportunity to marry again. His best friend, actually.”
He raises his eyes, and Sophia says, slightly shocked. “It happens, I guess.”
Simeon leans forward. “So your parents merely spend the money your mother inherited rather than use it to invest in your future.”
“You could say that.” I shrug. “They travel a lot and spend a lot. I was merely an inconvenience, and boarding school was a godsend to them. Consequently, the money is running out, and I’m guessing there won’t be much left by the time they die.”
Nico heads back and hands me a glass of champagne and is holding a glass similar to the others of whiskey.
Silence once again prevails, and it strikes me how weird this is.
There is no conversation, no exchanging of funny stories or questions about their lives.
As always, I attempt to fill in the awkward silence and say loudly, “Nico took me to the homeless shelter. I must say I was very impressed with his generosity. He sure is a credit to you both.”
His brothers appear to find that statement amusing, and Sophia says quietly, “We are incredibly proud of our sons.”
His father merely nods, staring at Nico with an intensity that is a little uncomfortable, and, luckily, a woman appears dressed as a maid and says with a slight hesitation, “Dinner is served.”
I am so happy for the interruption, and as we head out of the room, I hope to God conversation picks up because if it doesn’t, I’m liable to drown my sorrows in my bodyweight of champagne.
Another room, another jaw-dropping spectacle of wealth on an obscene scale. Sophia’s love of tapestries is evident here as a giant hanging on one wall dominates the space. It’s not the only one, and there is a virtual gallery of them in what is an enormous room.
The atmosphere is intimate, dark and subdued, much like this family if I’m honest. The table itself is stretched to seat about thirty people and is draped in a white cloth and set for a banquet.
Flowers and festive foliage are everywhere, and I’m so impressed that once again I wish I had my phone to record every detail.
Luckily, I am sitting beside Nico and am grateful when he clasps my hand under the table, which is the only signal of reassurance I get.
As the family take their seats, I study the place setting, loving the silver cutlery nestling against the most exquisite china.
As a series of waiters pour wine into our glasses, I smile at Sophia. “I adore these tapestries. Are they your work?”
“I wish.” She grins. “Some of them are, so don’t look at them too closely.”
“I couldn’t tell from here.”
She nods. “You flatter me, Regina.”
“So–” I raise my glass to her. “I just want to say thank you for inviting me into your home. You must be wondering what’s happening here, but well, it appears that fairy tales do happen, and I met my Prince Charming.”
For some reason his brothers share an amused grin, and Nico says quickly, “Welcome, Regina.”
His father adds in a deep voice, “Regina. Perhaps you were a little premature in saying yes to my son.”
It’s as if he dropped a grenade in the room as silence prevails after his words.
I’m a little uncomfortable as he carries on. “You see, he has been a little economical with the truth.”
The atmosphere darkens, and I swear my heart is the only one that has stopped beating right now as he says, “Nico is my eldest son. He has responsibilities far above those of his brothers.”
I say nothing and wait for him to mess up my dream, and he gives it his best shot.
“As his wife, you would be expected to step up a gear, and I am not sure if you are up to the job.”
He waves the waiters away, who head into the room, and the air stills as every eye is trained on me.
“My wife is an accomplished hostess. She makes polite conversation and runs a successful home. Nico’s wife will be expected to rise to the same challenge. You have a business; are you prepared to give that up for my son?”
All eyes are trained on me, and I fidget on my seat, the wine glistening in the glass as the air turns toxic.
“I will, um, think about it.” My voice is quiet and shakes a little, and he fixes me with a dark glare.
“Will you follow orders, bend to his will and accept that your life will now be controlled by him and what he wants?”
My heart races as I bite my bottom lip because what the hell is happening?
Nico answers for me with a surly whisper, “You say I’m your successor, father, that doesn’t mean I must follow the same rules.”
His father raises his eyes as Nico growls, “I love Regina’s spirit, her independence and desire to be free. She is by my side because she wants to be and not because I am making her.”
Okay, Nico can lie like a pro, but to be honest, he’s not exactly wrong. I am here willingly, even outside of the deal we made.
“It turns out I’m the lucky one because I am marrying through my choice and not because of what’s expected of me. I would say that makes me stronger, Father, wouldn’t you agree?”
The brothers appear almost amused as they sip their wine, relishing the power play being acted out now, but I am not. I feel like a fool if I’m honest because it’s obvious his father sees through our charade and is calling it out.
Sophia is miserable; I see it in her eyes, and Nico is tense beside me, poised for a fight, and as Christmases go, this one isn’t really that festive.
God knows why, but I stand and glare around at the actors in my drama and hiss, “For your information, I love your son.”
I rest my hand on his shoulder and stare out every single one of them, reserving my iciest glare for his father, whose eyes light with interest.
Now the floor is mine, I’m second guessing my decision as I prepare to make a speech that will probably see me flung out through those revolving doors once again into the icy chill of winter.