Page 142 of Sins of the Orchid

“That’s right, this is the first time you are seeing Santi since you’ve been back.” My dad’s voice sounded behind me. “You didn’t forget Adriano’s brother, right?”

Dad chuckled like there was a joke in there somewhere. I didn’t bother correcting him. I’ve been seeing Santi every time I turned around but had yet to speak to him directly or alone. If it was up to me, I’d never be alone with him again.

I swallowed hard and my stomach dipped. There was no forgetting him. Ever! I dreamt about him every single night, touched myself thinking about him, hated him, and loved him. Though I wasn’t sure why I bothered loving him. He didn’t deserve it.

I swallowed hard. “No.”

I tipped my head, praying my expression portrayed none of the turmoil currently brimming inside me.

“Good,” Dad broke our staring silence. My fists clenched, my phone digging into my palm. I turned around and met my dad’s gaze. He watched both Santi and I with a grim expression. “Because the news I’m about to share will bring you closer.”

“What’s this about?” I asked, as I let out a shaky breath.

“You are older now,” he started, and I frowned. Twenty-one was hardly older. “I am very proud of you and both Mr. Russo”—my eyebrows scrunched as my eyes darted to Santi—“Santi’s father,” Dad corrected, and I returned my eyes to him. “We agreed to a contract arrangement to have you and Adriano married.”

I blinked my eyes, watching my dad like he’d lost his mind.

“A contract arrangement?” I repeated, my voice sounding distant to my own eyes.

“A marriage contract,” he explained. “You and Adriano are perfect for each other.”

Slowly, I glanced at Adriano to see if this made any sense to him. His eyes met mine, a light shake of his head warning me.

“I don’t get it,” I muttered, then shook my head. “What are you saying, Dad?”

“You and Adriano will be married,” he announced. “It is only fitting that our two families would be brought back together by your marriage. You brought peace to us, and this will protect you.”

One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. Three heartbeats.

Then hot anger shot through my veins like a broken dam.

“No.”

“Amore—” Surprise flashed in Dad’s eyes at my firm refusal, but I ignored it and turned to my best friend.

I stood straighter, pushing my shoulders back. “No,” I repeated.

The scent of cigars hung in the air. A clock ticked. Tension was building and would erupt at any moment. I have learned the cost of disobedience. It cost my mother her life. But this I couldn’t do. I held my breath, waiting for the volcano to erupt. Though it remained to be seen whether it was mine or Dad’s.

“You should at least hear Dad out.” Luigi tried to mediate.

I didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, I met Adriano’s gaze.

“You knew?” I rasped, the adrenaline pumping through my veins and feeding my fury.

“Yes.” He was my best friend. He should have called me and given me fair warning. I would have done that for him. I slid a glance at Santi, but he still had the same indifferent look in his eyes. Oh my God, how could this be happening? How long has he known?

An eerie silence filled the room while a single word screamed in my head.No! I loved Adriano but not in that way. He was my best friend. Did he feel like that for me? This was wrong.

All wrong.

“No” I whispered, locking eyes with Dad. “I’ll do anything, but I won’t bend on this. I’m sorry, Dad.”

Dad scratched his chin. Luigi watched me with concern in his eyes, Adriano seemed dumbfounded at my firm refusal while Santi seemed completely apathetic. Why would Santi allow this, knowing what happened between us?

“Amore, be reasonable.” My eyes widened at Dad’s unreasonable request. He was the one not being reasonable. “You and Adriano clicked. You have been close for a long time,” Dad explained. “Friendship is a good basis for a marriage. It turns into more.” I blew out a frustrated breath. This was ludicrous. “I want you protected and having a Russo for your husband will ensure you have your brothers’ protection and Russo’s.”

Too bad it is the wrong Russo,I thought wryly. If I thought Santi dumping my ass was a bitter pill to swallow, it was nothing to this. It was clear Santi Russo didn’t want me at all, if he threw me to his brother.