Page 33

I swallowed hard and averted my eyes as I passed him. Still, I could feel his magnetism, smell the faint trace of his cologne, and just those reminders brought back the memories of my head buried in his hot neck, the full weight of his firm, muscular body as he ground his cock deep inside, his soft moans and kisses that made me melt. But he was so much more than sex; he made me feel special, and I was happy.We were happy. My finger went to touch the engagement ring, and I realized I had removed it. My focus went to Rocco ahead of me. He was talking with his lawyers, but his head turned. His eyes flicked down to my fingers, still touching the empty space. It was too late to hide it. His expression turned sullen.
I lowered my head, my throat burned and closed. Grandmother touched my arm and I quickly followed her to the dining room.
“Only speak if you’re asked to,” Mrs. Belfiore told me. She was remarkably calm, and I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t yelling at Rocco and his lawyer like Grandfather was.
“Rocco can’t miss his grandfather’s funeral,” I murmured in annoyance.
“He made a choice, but don’t you worry. Your grandfather will settle this quickly. We have the law on our side.”
Her words were frustratingly ambiguous and instead of relaxing me, they soured my stomach, and I became morenauseous.I am just a pawn. I have no value except to be a pawn for every male I know…I rushed out of the room to the bathroom, and made it to the toilet before vomiting. After cleaning my mouth, I ran a towel under the tap and pressed it to my lips, hoping the sickness would pass. It wasn’t only nerves; I was also worried about my grandfather’s usual finality in his decisions, like the judge he’d been before retiring. He must have promised the Sterlings. And it was clear he didn’t like Rocco. However, it wasn’t only his personal beef with the Marinis. He believed, like Grandmother, Rocco would leave me one day. If he did, I’d end up with a man probably worse than Percy Sterling. None of my choices were secure, and the only thing I could do was remain strong.
I straightened my clothes and smoothed my hair before returning to the dining room. They were all seated at the table now, and Brenda was leading a discussion.
“…Rocco had the wedding planned, and it was on schedule. The death of his grandfather is a sudden tragedy that caused the delay.”
“A delay for the funeral, but Rocco asked for months,” Mr. Belfiore said in a sharp tone.
“And he expected us to let him live with our granddaughter in sin while he considered other options. We never agreed or would ever allow that for Adelina. His hesitation left us no other choice but to find a more suitable suitor. It’s well within our rights to make new plans.” He sent a hostile glare toward Rocco, who sat calmly across from him.
“Good, you’re back, Adelina. How do you feel about the changes?”
My cheeks warmed as all eyes went to me now seated by my grandmother. She touched my hand, and I knew what she wanted.
I lifted my head. “I…I agree with my grandparents.” My voice was even, but my pulse accelerated, rushing blood to my shredded heart that clogged my throat. It made it unbearable to breathe through the pain. I knew Rocco, and hearing me say I would leave him, hurt him deeply, and I never wanted to hurt him. Heck, it was a lie. And oh how I wish I could take it back. But what could I do? My family held all the cards, and wouldn’t take anything from me but full cooperation for all they’d done for me. Rocco may care, but the proud man I knew him to be wouldn’t allow himself to be backed into a corner. I gave him an out. Rocco could dissolve our arranged marriage contract and move on with his life.
“Too bad because I’m not backing down, so let’s all wait for the person I sent for to join us.” Rocco announced. He sounded confident and strong, but then he turned and our eyes connected. The pain reflecting back ached my heart, and I was sure out of everything that happened today, what I said hurt him the most.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my fingers digging into the chair to keep myself from rushing over to soothe his pain.
“Who?” Reginald huffed. “My home’s not a clubhouse.”
Chime.The doorbell rang.
Everyone held our breath around the table, except for Gunnar, who seemed to find it all entertaining. A few minutes later a man walked in, and my grandfather loudly gasped.
“Monte Renshaw? What the heck are you doing here?” The shock in his tone was hard to miss.
“Hello, Reg. Apparently, us Judges do house calls now,” he said with a nervous laugh.
Rocco rose and shook his hand, and Judge Renshaw asked him, “Are you sure about this?”
“I am,” he said confidently.
My grandfather rushed over to other men in suits that I soon recognized as his team of lawyers he used before when Rocco first came for our arranged marriage.
I touched my grandmother’s hand. “What’s going on?”
“That’s Judge Montgomery Renshaw. You’re getting married,” she said calmly.
My jaw dropped and my pulse sped up. “What? Right now? B-but how’s this happening?”
“I called Rocco last night,” she whispered, then walked over to stand by my grandfather.
All I could do was gape at her.She called Rocco?
“I’m not leaving this house without Adelina. If marrying her is the only way I can do that, then we will get married,” Rocco announced.
I touched my fluttering stomach, my heart swelled.Rocco’s marrying me?Was this possible?