Chapter 40 Stupid Jar
❦ Rosalind ❦
My fingers hovered over my phone screen.
The house was too cheery for the scattered beat of my heart at what I was doing, negotiating with the devil.
I quickly typed out another message as Juliana circled me with a bottle of juice held like a mic, belting out Italian opera. Tantalizing smells wafted from the kitchen under Claudia’s busy hands, the sun streaming hopeful rays of light into the living area.
But if you agree to my terms, I’ll reconsider. – Rosalind.
I tapped the send icon, hoping I hadn’t let the seconds stretch too thin between the texts. I wouldn’t want to accidentally cause Dante’s death just for a small moment of victory.
I’d seen reason in Marcus’s suggestion, but I wanted to rattle Viktor before I accepted by texting the refusal first.
“How are you so happy?” I grumbled at Juliana, her cheery demeanor making me jealous.
If only I wasn’t balancing a mafia position, keeping my head, and trying to outwit Viktor, I would look that happy and at peace, with nothing weighing me down.
“Because I do not let hate sit and simmer in my heart. You need to learn that,” she said with a huff.
“What do you suggest I do then? Spread my arms wide and offer a hug to my rivals and the people trying to kill me?” I watched her twirl, desperate for any ideas.
“Yes. Just as you spread for your friend the other day in the club.” She winked.
I blanched.
“You don’t know anything!” I hissed, eyeing Claudia to see if she’d heard.
“I do, but forget that for now.” She shuffled closer. “You need to have fun, bambina, go to the beach, parties, other countries, shopping, dates… just be happy and don’t let whatever is happening wear you down.”
I hung my head. “I can’t…”
She palmed my cheeks, pushing my face up to look at her. “You can. You’re too young to let responsibilities or goals bury your shine.”
“I know.”
“Great! Look at this.”
She picked her iPad from the counter, swiped furiously in excitement, and thrust the screen at me.
“What..?” I mumbled, peering at a long list of what looked like activities? The template looked self-made, with icons for shopping, clubbing, spa, and restaurants.
“It’s our very own activity logbook!” she announced. “I made it once Mama told me to come here, all the things I want us to do together while exploring New York City. Fun things. I hadn’t had the chance to show you cause, well… you’ve been too busy with your friend at the club…”
“He’s not my friend,” I cut in. My fiancé apparently, but definitely not my friend. It was a strategic marriage, nothing else.
Her eyes turned round and hopeful. “So, are you gonna do it?”
Viktor wouldn’t try anything once we reached an agreement. Primo was in Viktor’s custody, I’d heard from Marcus. It seemed the coast was clear, for now. And we’d have my soldatos and enough protection. I considered posting snipers on the rooftops of wherever we would visit for extra measure.
And besides, she was right. I wanted to spend time with her, she was the closest thing to a friend and sister that I had. I wasn’t going to let her slip through my fingers like my parents had, because of the mafia and its chaotic nature.
My cheeks pushed up with a smile.
“Of course. I’ll love that,” I said, feeling the smile grow wider and wider.
Juliana hugged me, pulling me into little happy hops in place.
“Thank you!” she said, smiling brightly. “I’ll go through the plans so we can begin as soon as possible!”
Her excitement was infectious, spreading through me in warm pulses as I watched her run up the stairs.
I was going to have fun for once, without the shadow of…
My phone beeped.
I looked down at it.
State them fast. Adrian is drooling over him. – Viktor
My blood cooled instantly. Dante wasn’t safe in the hands of these dangerous men. I had to finalize our deal.
I walked out of the house to the patio. I closed the screen door behind me for privacy.
I dialed his number.
He picked up on the first ring.
Silence, barely restrained breathing.
I heard faint music in the background and a female voice tittering somewhere.
Hot coils of lava unfurled in my stomach. Who was he with?
Then…
“Did you call to speak or listen to my breathing?”
His question pulled me out of the chasm of jealousy.
“Do not hurt Dante. Don’t let Adrian anywhere near him.”
“You sound wary of Adrian handling him. Why?”
“We’ve been acquainted,” I said simply, remembering our brief encounters.
The man was sick where Viktor was dangerous. The pair of them formed something even more terrifying. A devilish duo.
Viktor’s chuckle vibrated the phone in my hand and ran down to my lower body. I swallowed, my mind pulling up his face as clear as day. That devastatingly handsome face that never smiled, what did it look like now?
“What are your terms, gattina?”
Oh, that.
“I will not relinquish ownership or control of my hotel. This will be a strictly private affair, and in the event of my death, my aunt and cousin are my next of kin.”
“Agreed.”
Huh? His answer took me aback. I’d expected him to argue and we’d go back and forth, then I’d convince him I was only looking out for myself, but he’d actually agreed.
“But if you die, everything goes to me,” I added, breathless.
“Okay.”
My skin crawled with suspicion. Why was he agreeing to everything?
“Good. Since we’ve come to an agreement, you will release Dante.”
“After the wedding.”
I sputtered. “What? No. He needs to be out and in safety, by my side.”
“Don’t you trust me? Hmm? I’m about to be your husband, and you, my wife. I won’t hurt him. He’ll just be… a promise. That you won’t play me and change your mind once you have him.”
My teeth clenched.
“Fine.”
“Wonderful…” he started to say, only to be cut off by a grating female voice.
“Oh Viktor, I need your muscles. Open the jar for me, will you? I’m simply not strong enough.”
She giggled, making my eyes flare hotly.
“Who is that?” I demanded. The voice sounded oddly familiar.
“No one,” he said. I could feel the smirk in it. “I’ll have the documents sent over.”
The call ended with a beep.
“Ugh!” I kicked the flower pot by my leg, only to be reduced into a limping, whining mess.
“Ouch,” I mumbled as I limped back inside.
It was exactly as I feared. He literally proposed to me, and yet he has another woman in his house, opening jars and doing God knows what.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
My chest rose and fell, my palms making calming motions in front of me.
It’s just a marriage of convenience.
At least I would get his entire net worth in the event of his death, which would be soon.
I would not be tied to a wandering man, I tried to convince myself, plotting and preparing.
But deep down, I wasn’t sure I had it in me.
I shook off the depressing thoughts. If he was going to have fun, then so would I. I wouldn’t let anything dim my shine or whimsy, just like Juliana said.
I pulled out my phone immediately.
The bikinis weren’t going to order themselves.