16. Caterina
Emilio hurt me in a way I never thought he would.
He told my father about my clubgoing, and my father said he was disappointed in me. That was the worst feeling in the entire world. I’ve always had my dad’s love. That was my one constant, and now, it’s gone. Emilio took that from me. He’s taken so much from me.
Why can’t he just love me? Why is it so hard for him?
I spend the next day ignoring him, which is easy because he doesn’t even come check on me. He never wanted this marriage, and he’s proving it with his actions. He’s not even fighting for me. At least when we’d bicker, he was fighting with me. This coldness is the exact opposite of our fiery tempers clashing. This coldness leaves me feeling … empty.
I have to see my dad and explain. I have to get him to forgive me. My dad has always loved me, and I hope he forgives me right away.
When I go downstairs, Emilio is nowhere to be seen. The petty part of me wants to just leave, but I don’t want to worry him. Despite how mad I am at him, I get why he’s afraid. He doesn’t want me to get hurt. I never should have gone to that club. I just wanted Emilio to notice me again.
I leave him a note, letting him know I’m going to my dad’s house.
When I reach my dad’s house, I’m nervous as I knock. What if he doesn’t want to see me?
Fortunately, he answers the door. “Caterina.” Normally, my dad is happy to see me, but right now, he sounds sullen and like he’d rather be talking to anyone other than me.
“Daddy, please let me explain.”
After a beat, he motions me inside. We take our seats on the couch. “What do you have to explain?” he asks. “That you’ve been lying to me for a long time?”
I sigh. “I have. I won’t sugarcoat it. But, Daddy, I just wanted to have some fun. Please. You have to understand that. I’m in my early twenties now. I wanted to experience more of life. But I never did anything you would be ashamed of. I never slept with any of the men. I just flirted. That was it.” There is no need to tell my dad I shared kisses with random men. That would only give him a heart attack.
He lets out a slow breath and nods. “I did see you as a little girl for a lot longer than I should have. And for that, I’m sorry. I just wish you hadn’t lied to me. If you’d wanted to go out dancing, I could have sent a guard with you to make sure you were ok.”
“You would have?”
“I love you, pumpkin. I’d do anything for you.”
Tears spill from my eyes before I can even process what’s happening.
“Oh, honey.” He pulls me into his arms and rubs my back. “You don’t need to cry.”
“I’m just so lonely, Daddy. Emilio hates me.”
“How could he hate you? You’re perfect as you are.”
The sound that escapes me is both a laugh and a sob. “He’s not as forgiving as you are.”
“It’ll all work out. I have faith. You should, too. Just never lie to me again, please.”
I give him a kiss on the cheek. “I promise. No more lies.”
At least I still have my dad on my side.
After spending an hour at my dad’s house, I finally head back home.
I took the subway over to my dad’s place, so I have to walk a few blocks before I reach the subway entrance. There aren’t a lot of people in this part of the city because it’s wealthier and quieter. I’m heading for the entrance when someone grabs my arm, and something hard presses against my back.
“Don’t scream,” a deep voice says. I freeze. “That’s a gun to your back. If you run, I’ll shoot you. Now, come with me.”
“Who are you?” I don’t dare turn around.
“Dante Romano.”
His words send a chill down my back.
“I need some leverage,” he says. “And you’re out here unprotected without your husband or a guard. Easy pickings. I guess Emilio didn’t care too much about keeping you safe. You’re coming with me.”
“What are you doing?” I ask as he leads me away from the subway entrance.
“I need to make sure the family your married into finally takes me seriously. They need to know I want to be left alone. I’ll give you back to them if Rocco himself promises he’ll stop coming after me.”
“Rocco doesn’t care for me. Emilio doesn’t even care for me, and he’s my husband. Why would my brother-in-law, who barely knows me, give up the chase for me?”
Dante forces me to get into a car. “Guess we’ll just have to see, won’t we?” He slams the door shut, then walks around and gets in the driver’s seat.
The moment he starts the car, I lunge for the wheel and try pulling it, but Dante points his gun at my head. I freeze again.
“Don’t be stupid, Caterina,” he says. “I don’t want to hurt you. I have no desire to. Trust me. You really are just a means to an end. It’s nothing personal.” He drives one handed as he takes me to wherever he’s taking me.
His words sting. I’m just a means to an end. Nothing more. I’m nothing special.
I’m married into a family that doesn’t care about me. Emilio sure doesn’t. Rocco won’t fight for me. Why would he? I’m not his wife.
All I am is collateral damage.
And it makes me feel even more alone. Which is a frightening feeling.