Page 9 of Beautiful Torment (Empire of Kings #1)

I’ve never felt a riot of butterflies when I look at him, and since I rebuffed his drunken attempt to kiss me, there’s been an unmistakable shift in him.

Up until that point, he’d always been a loyal friend, and he respected our situation for what it was.

Our engagement was a mutually agreed-on farce that would come to a natural conclusion when he found a more suitable bride.

However, six years on, that still hasn’t happened.

“Abella.” My father stubs out his cigar and spares me a disinterested glance. “The time has come for you to fulfill your duty. You will wed Matteo in two weeks’ time.”

My knees nearly buckle as the weight of those words bears down on me. An instinctive refusal settles on my lips, but I can’t give voice to it. My father harbors no love for me. His only role in my life is to act as warden, and he’s an empty well as far as sympathy is concerned.

I glance at Matteo with the misguided hope he’ll say or do something. Surely, he couldn’t have agreed to this. We had an understanding, and for him to go back on his word is a betrayal. But worse than that is the inevitable failure he’s setting me up for.

“Papà, may I have a word with Matteo in private?” I force the request through gritted teeth.

“You may have as many as you like,” he grunts. “The deal is done.”

A lump lodges in my throat as I gesture for Matteo to follow me to the sitting room. His footsteps echo behind me, beating a heavy cadence across the tile floor. My father would expect me to offer him a drink or other refreshment, but the moment we’re alone, my hospitality goes out the window.

“What are you doing?” I hiss under my breath. “You know we can’t go through with this. We had a deal.”

“Abella.” His eyes move over my face as if he’s searching for something he knows he won’t find. “You have to trust me. This is for your protection.”

“My protection?” I stare at him incredulously. “You have a duty to maintain the treaty with the Stavros family.”

He drags a hand through his hair and sighs. “I’m aware.”

“Then you’re also aware that nothing has changed.” My voice rises, despite my efforts to keep my composure. “This isn’t going to work.”

“You know I’ve always had your best interest in mind. I wouldn’t have proposed this if I didn’t have a plan.”

“So what is it?” I demand, already knowing it’s a waste of my breath.

“All you need to know is that I have everything under control.”

“This concerns both our families.” I gesture toward my father’s office. “Have you forgotten the magnitude of this situation?”

His eyes burn a slow path over my body, distracting him from the conversation.

Whatever he’s thinking about is a world apart from the discussion I’m trying to have.

I’d have to be oblivious not to have noticed that Matteo has developed a problematic affection for me over the course of our years-long engagement.

The signs have been there every time I brought up the subject of ending this arrangement.

Over time, he’s stopped hiding it. I’d hoped it was a fleeting crush that would pass, but I never thought he’d actually force my hand, especially when he knows what’s at stake.

“You can’t wife me just to bed me,” I tell him. “I have nothing to offer you in the way of love or anything else, Matteo. You know I can’t give you what you need.”

“Who said anything about love?” His lips press into a grim line. “Do you think I have time to think about such trivialities? I need a wife, not a fairy tale.”

“It was never supposed to be me,” I protest. “This is why I told you we should have called it off a long time ago.”

He takes a step closer, and I straighten my spine.

“When are you going to let him go?” he asks. “It’s been six years, Abella.”

“This isn’t about Angelo.”

“It’s always about Angelo.” He releases a frustrated breath. “Do you really think there was ever any other option here? He’s not coming back, and even if he did, you can’t give him what he needs. He’s moved on, and you need to do the same.”

Grief wraps its icy claws around my heart and squeezes. Matteo has never been this blunt, and I don’t like this side of him.

“Thanks for the reminder,” I clip out. “But as I already told you, this has nothing to do with him.”

“So it’s just me, then.” Matteo shakes his head in disbelief. “Let me ask you—if we ended our engagement, who do you think your father would marry you off to?”

I swallow, not wanting to consider that.

“The highest bidder,” he supplies. “Do you think he’d have a single care for what you’d be subjected to?”

His observation pours salt into an open wound, but he doesn’t stop there.

“He has a list of other prospects in his office. They’ve all made offers for you, and Carlo Pagnotto is at the top.”

Bile rises in my throat. Everyone knows about Carlo Pagnotto’s reputation in this city. He’s one of the most vile men in the Cosa Nostra , and it’s no secret he threw his first wife off a bridge when he tired of her.

I want to tell Matteo my father wouldn’t give me away to someone like that, but I’d look like a fool if I tried. In my heart, I already know he would.

“I’ve always looked out for you.” Matteo tips my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I need you to trust that I’m protecting you now.”

A rogue tear falls down my cheek, and I swipe it away. Words fail me, but I can see that they wouldn’t matter even if I could produce them. With one look at my face, Matteo knows he’s won. My stalker may have had me in his arms last night, but it’s Matteo’s ring I’ll wear for the rest of my life.

“Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to,” Matteo says. “You’ll see.”