Page 61 of Thorns of Death

“A marriage between your sister and me,” Enrico said. Wait. What? His words had me reeling. I stared at the mahogany door, willing it to explain to me what I just heard. My heart pounded against my chest as the words played over and over again in my skull.

“You’re out of your fucking mind,” Illias bellowed. “She’s half your age, and let’s not forget every fucking woman that marries a Marchetti ends up dead. Your family is cursed.”

Enrico laughed on the other line. “I didn’t take you for a superstitious man.”

“I’m not, but fuck if I’ll risk my sister to test it.”

“And if she’s pregnant with my child?”

Oh, he did not.He. Did. Not.

Yet, I heard it with my own ears. He gave my brother the very clear idea that he’d slept with me. This son of a bitch was playing at something.And let’s not forget his wife!

My temper flared. My heart drummed in my ears as I had to restrain myself from bursting through the door and shouting at both men. There was no chance in fucking hell I was pregnant. Firstly, I was on birth control. And secondly, I just had my period. Thirdly, I’d murder both of them before anyone forced me into marriage.

So thank you very much, Mr. Marchetti, and kindly fuck off. He wouldn’t be getting any babies from me.

“I don’t even want to know what you meant by that comment,” Illias hissed. “But you can bet your Italian ass I’ll murder you with my bare hands when I see you next.”

“You’re a strategic man, Konstantin.” Clearly, Enrico was used to my brother’s temper because he didn’t cower. “I know her heritage. Hermaternalheritage.” I froze. He knew something about my mother?

The words of his dead—or not dead—wife came rushing to the forefront of my mind. If my mother worked in one of Marchetti’s brothels, that had to be how he knew about it.

Then a thought rushed to me. What if—

No, Illias wouldn’t have ever allowed it. If my mother was alive, he wouldn’t have ever let anyone keep her in the brothel. He wouldn’t lie to me and tell me she was dead. But still, the thought remained. Or was it hope? No, it would be cruel to wish that on my mother. My brother wouldn’t lie about something so important. He wouldn’t have taken my mother from me, especially knowing the pain himself. He and Maxim lost their mother when they were very young too.

Goose bumps broke over my skin, and I had to fight a shudder.

“I’ll let my sister decide herself whether she wants to marry an old ass like you.” I had to stifle a scoff. I didn’t know Enrico’s exact age, but I’d bet he and my brother were close in age. So basically, Illias was calling himself an old ass.

“Leave her to me.” I snickered softly.Yes, leave me for him, brother. I looked forward to cutting that man’s balls off. “Marriage arrangements are being made everywhere it seems, and it’ll make us all stronger allies.”

I rolled my eyes. I had never heard anyone talk about marriage in such unappealing terms aside from… well, the Romero family.

“Who else is arranging a marriage?” Illias inquired.

“Dante Leone to Reina Romero. Her father wants to put her and her sister under the Leone protection and the wedding alliance will afford him that.” My brows furrowed. This was getting increasingly confusing. Why would Enrico and my brother be discussing Reina? Why would either of them care? “It will strengthen the Leone position in Italy.”

“Isla will not marry you, so you might as well give it up.” My brother’s dry tone traveled through the door. “But if you let Reina and Dante’s wedding happen, it will cause bigger problems than a position in Italy. It will tear down the Omertà.”

I gasped, my eyes widening. I wished I could peer into the room and see my brother’s face. To judge by his expression what the heck was going on. I heard whispers of that organization from Reina and she hadn’t said anything good about it.

A noise came from upstairs and my eyes lifted to find my new sister-in-law descending the stairs. I stumbled away from the door and quickly rushed to the side hallway, taking cover in the small alcove.

Pressing my hand to my chest where my heart beat wildly, I peeked around the corner and watched Tatiana head to the door where I just stood. I held my breath, waiting for her to enter my brother’s office so I could go back to my post and eavesdrop. I watched her press her ear to the door and, to my disappointment, do exactly what I’d been doing just a few moments ago.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

I wanted to know what they were talking about. Would it be odd if I pranced over there and took up the spot next to her? I sighed. I couldn’t risk her saying something to my brother. So I took the secret staircase that brought me to the first floor. I stomped my feet a few times and then went back down the way I came, finding my sister-in-law several feet away from Illias’s office.

“Hey, Tatiana,” I greeted her cheerfully as she whirled around and faced me. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my composure. She had no idea I was doing the same exact thing just before. “You looking for the dining room?”

I kept my voice innocent, but judging by the expression on her face, she must have heard something she didn’t like. She looked furious.

“Actually, I was thinking about taking a drive.” She forced a smile and even went as far as unclenching her fists. “Maybe pick up something from the nearby bakery. Want to come along?”

I studied her. Surely she could smell pastries in the air, but then it wouldn’t hurt to get to know her a bit better. “Sure.”