Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Liana
The late afternoon stretches into eternity as I pace my bedroom like a caged animal.
I’m not even locked in but I still feel like I am.
Pita hasn't come back yet and I'm afraid to leave and go find her.
Four steps to the window and a small pause to watch unfamiliar guards patrol the grounds through the small crack in the curtains.
Seven steps to the bookshelf, my fingers trailing over spines I've already memorized.
Eight steps to the door and I press my ear against it, straining to hear anything beyond the suffocating silence of my bedroom.
I am a princess in a tower, except there's no dragon to slay. There’s just a wedding I don't want and a groom I've never met.
The only knight I might want to save me is the same one who keeps me locked away.
I peek out through the window curtains again and count six new guards I've never seen before. They move differently than Frankie's men. Why are they still here? Whatever's happening, it must be serious.
I reach for one of my romance novels, the one Frankie bought me that day at the mall, and open it carefully.
Usually, these books are my escape, my secret way out of whatever prison I'm in.
But today, the words do nothing. They are meaningless black marks that refuse to transport me anywhere.
Bastards. How can I lose myself in fictional passion when my own life has become more complicated than any plot twist a romance author could ever invent?
I toss the book aside and press my palm against my datura tattoo.
It's still a little tender, which I don’t mind.
It’s a physical reminder of my rebellion…
and my night with Frankie. Did I really think one night of passion would change anything between us?
That giving myself to Frankie would somehow free me from this arranged marriage?
'You really are a naive, little girl.'
Pita finally makes an appearance, bringing food on a tray.
My stomach growls at the sight of it but I can’t stomach eating it at the moment.
I want to know where she’s been? Has she heard anything else?
What else is going on? Her usual warm chatter is absent as she sets down the food and moves to leave.
"Wait," I call, catching her sleeve before she can escape. "What's happening downstairs? Is Frankie okay?"
"Of course. He’s just in meetings, mija. Important business. Nothing for you to worry about."
"Is Santiago still here? Will I have to meet him today after-all?"
I catch a flicker of something in her gaze…relief maybe?
"Not today,” she replies with a smile. Frankie has…arranged for the meeting to happen another time instead."
Now it’s my turn to feel relief that quickly turns to disappointment.
"But the wedding is still happening?" I hate how small my voice sounds.
Pita's face softens slightly.
"Sí, mija. Of course it is."
She leaves again, the door closing firmly behind her.
Hours pass as I watch the sunlight crawl across the sky through my bedroom window. I’m not even bound to this room anymore, yet I still can’t bring myself to leave. Evening falls and the estate grows quieter.
I've just changed into a loose t-shirt when the door opens without warning. I freeze as I watch Frankie slip inside and close it silently behind him. My heart leaps at the sight of him, then sinks just as quickly. He looks exhausted with dark circles under his eyes.
"Are you okay?" I ask, taking a step toward him before stopping myself.
He runs a hand through his hair, messing it up in a way that makes my fingers itch to smooth it back down.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come up sooner. It's been a…complicated day. I didn’t mean to be so short with you earlier."
"Santiago wants to meet me, doesn't he? To inspect his son's bride," I say so suddenly, it takes Frankie by surprise.
Frankie's jaw tightens as he stares at me.
"Yes. At some point he would like to meet you. I managed to convince him you were too tired from our trip today."
"Why would he listen to you?"
The question that's been gnawing at me all day finally spills out.
"You're just a guard. Why would the head of the cartel take orders from you?"
"I've worked for the family a long time," he replies smoothly. It’s the same words Pita used earlier. "Santiago respects my judgment on certain matters. It wasn’t an order."
"Like me? Am I one of those 'certain matters'?"
I’m fully aware I’m acting like a brat right now but I can’t help it. He moves to the window, pushing the curtain aside slightly to look out at the night sky.
"Yes, Datura. You're my responsibility."
The words twist in my chest making me want to scream and pound on his chest. Just his ‘responsibility’. Just a ‘job’. Does he even realize how much those words sting?
"And then what?" I press, needing to hear him say it. "After the wedding, what happens to…this?" I gesture vaguely between us, not even sure what 'this' is anymore.
Before he can answer, his phone buzzes in his pocket. He pulls it out, glances at the screen, and curses under his breath.
"What is it now?" I ask, alarm spiking through me. Why is the universe trying to sabotage me this way?
"I’m not sure exactly," Frankie says, his voice tight as he types something back. "But your cousin has been busy. He's sent Antonio, Alexander, and Felix to Arizona."
A smile spreads across my face and I can’t hide the excitement I feel. I’m going to see my family. Maybe not everyone, but it’s something. He scowls when he sees my smile.
"Apparently, they're here to open an Italian restaurant." His laugh is short and bitter. "I’m not stupid though. They're here to monitor your situation."
My heart races. Why is he telling me this?
"Monitor me? You mean…help bring me back to Italy?"
"I mean make sure you're safe and being treated well," Frankie corrects, his eyes meeting mine. "And to report back to Andre about the wedding preparations."
My stomach drops.
"But not to stop it," I say, the brief hope dying as quickly as it flared. "Not to take me home."
"No," Frankie confirms. "That would start a war between families. Even Andre Manitellie isn't ready for that…yet."
The 'yet' hangs in the air between us.
"How do you know all this?" I ask. "How are you getting information about Andre's plans?"
Frankie tucks his phone away, his expression neutral.
"I have my ways. You will see your cousins tomorrow."
"Will you be there?" I ask, as excitement at seeing some family blooms inside me.
“No…Rio’s brother will take you.”
I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. This will be the first time I leave the estate without Frankie by my side. He looks worried and I want to ask why but then another question invades my mind.
"What's he like?" I ask. "Rio, I mean. Is he…nice?"
‘God that sounds ridiculous. Is the cartel son nice…really, Liana?’
Frankie's expression is unreadable and I almost think he won’t answer me.
"He's complicated."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I can give you right now."
He steps closer, close enough that I can smell his cologne and feel the heat radiating from his body.
"I have to leave now, Datura."
I shake my head okay. I know he can’t stay with me in my room so of course he has to leave, but why do his words sound so final.
His hand rubs against my side where my tattoo is covered by only the thin fabric of my t-shirt.
Before I can think better of it, I lift up on my tip toes and pull his head down towards mine.
His lips touch mine briefly and heat blazes through my body before he pulls away.
He looks down at me as his hand cups my cheek.
He doesn’t say anything but I can see it in his eyes. The question.
“I won’t ever regret our night together,” I whisper.
A small smirk plays across his lips.
“I’ll remember those words, Datura.”
His thumb brushes across my lower lip and then he's kissing me hard. It’s desperate, like he’s drowning, the way his mouth claims mine with a hunger that steals my breath away.
His arms wrap around me to pull me flush against him and I respond instantly, clutching at his shoulders.
This kiss feels different from the others. It tastes like goodbye.
All too soon, he stops our kiss, resting his forehead against mine as we both struggle to breathe. He doesn’t say anything else as he pulls away from me and turns to leave. I watch him slip out the door, feeling alone all over again.
In less than one week, I'll meet and marry my future husband. And Frankie…he will stand by and watch it happen, because that's his job. Because that's what's expected of us both.
Keep me safe or keep me a prisoner. At this point, I'm no longer sure there's a difference.