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"No,dolcezza.I only mean to remind you that there are more ways than one for a woman to be pierced by her lover."

Ezio and Gazelle did their best to hold back their smiles upon seeing Sarica blush at the innuendo in their eldest brother's words.

Massimo, in the meantime, was ready to call it a night when their grandmother asked to speak with him in private.

"Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to be good?" Massimo teased as he walked her to one of the private balconies circling the ballroom.

"Because you take after me."

"Conscienceless?"

"Intuitive."

A crooked smile touched Massimo's lips as he stepped back from his grandmother. "Since it is not your style to waste time on flattering any of your grandsons—-what you're about tocommandme to do must be something incredibly important."

Since Potenziana saw no point beating around the bush, she simply met her grandson's gaze and said her piece.

"I have found a bride for you."

A muscle started ticking in Massimo's jaw. He had known this day would come sooner or later, but wasn't this a little too soon?

"Her parents and I expect both of you to be married in a fortnight."

"Am I allowed to know who she is before our wedding?"

"You already know her,"La Stregaanswered with a shrug. "Ynez—-"

Massimo blinked.Seriously?

"She has an older sister,sì?Ysabel—-"

Massimo stared at his grandmother in disbelief. "Are you fucking—-"

"Language, per favore!"

"You can't be serious!"

"I am, very."

"Isn't this is a little too much, even for you,Nonna?"

"Are you saying you will not obey me on this?"

A moment passed...and then Massimo was inclining his head in mocking assent. "Certo che no, Nonna." Of course not."It will be as you wish, as always."

"If it means anything—-Ynez will get over losing you." But Potenziana could not say the same for Ysabel...if this marriage did not work out.

Massimo politely excused himself soon after, but the older woman stayed in the balcony, needing to be alone with her thoughts.

The two sisters were as different as day and night, and truth be told...

Buon Dio, I have indeed turned into a meddling old woman.

She would never have chosen the older girl for Massimo...if she had not accidentally found out about Ysabel's feelings for him.

Now it is your turn, bambina.

Potenziana could only hope Ysabel would succeed in stealing her grandson's heart...or it was the girl's own heart that Massimo would end up breaking instead.

The End