Chapter nine: Truth hurts

Fiona’s POV

I straightened and offered him the sort of smile I’d perfected during years of attending Father’s unbearable social events.

“Well, Mr. Ricci, I believe this marriage represents a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the relationship between our families. Given the current circumstances, an alliance would benefit everyone involved, and I’m grateful that you’ve agreed to help protect my family.”

There was nothing but silence as Luca stared at me, that made me smile harder.

“Naturally, marriage is a serious commitment, and although the arrangement was unexpected, I’m sure we’ll both do our best to make it successful.”

He rolled his eyes like actually rolled his eyes and I stopped he clearly wasn’t buying what I was saying.

“Excuse me?”

“Jesus Christ, Fiona.”

My smile disappeared. “What?”

“Did your father write that speech for you?”

I frowned. “I beg your pardon?”

“Because if he did, tell him it needs work. I’ve heard more convincing statements from politicians caught stealing public funds.”

My mouth fell open he leaned back, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

“An opportunity to strengthen our families? Grateful for my protection? Do you actually expect me to believe that?”

“You asked for my opinion.”

“I asked for the truth. Not the bullshit you think I want to hear.”

I stared at him.

What the hell did he want from me?

He was the one who’d demanded this ridiculous marriage, and now he was complaining because I was trying to be agreeable?

“Well, forgive me for attempting to be polite.”

“You’re terrible at it.”

“Then perhaps you should stop asking questions you don’t want answered.”

His expression changed for a moment, I thought I’d finally irritated him instead, he smiled.

“There she is.”

I frowned. “Who?”

“The woman who’s been glaring at me since I walked into this house.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “I haven’t been glaring.”

“Fiona, you’ve looked at me like you wanted to stab me with your dinner fork for the past hour.

“Perhaps that’s just my face.”

“No.” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the desk. “There’s fire in those eyes, little dove. I’ve seen it since you walked down the stairs. You have opinions, and judging by the way you speak to your father, you’re not particularly afraid of sharing them.”

I swallowed. “Your point?”

“My point is that I didn’t ask to speak with a perfectly trained society daughter who recites speeches about family alliances. I asked to speak with you.”

I looked away because that was unexpected.

“Why?”

“Because I’m marrying you, Fiona. Not your father, not your family’s reputation, and certainly not whatever ridiculous speech you’ve prepared.”

I didn’t know what to say, he studied me for another moment as if he was thinking of what to say.

“Tell me the truth. Do you want this marriage?”

I laughed bitterly. “What do you think?”

“I think you’ve spent the last twenty-four hours imagining several creative ways to murder me.”

“Only several?”

His mouth twitched. “But I’d rather hear it from you.”

I stared at him Something about the way he said it irritated me. Perhaps it was his confidence.

Perhaps it was the fact that he sat in my father’s chair, looking perfectly comfortable while asking me to explain how I felt about having my future stolen.

Or perhaps I was simply exhausted from pretending, being reasonable and from listening to everyone explain why sacrificing my happiness was necessary

“You really want the truth?” I asked

“Very much.” He replied in a monotone

“Even if you don’t like it?”

“Especially then.”

I took a breath, then another fine if he wanted the truth, I’d give him the fucking truth.

“I think you’re an arrogant, selfish bastard who believes having enough money and power means you can do whatever you want to whoever you want.”

His eyebrows lifted in shock but I wasn’t finished.

“I think it’s disgusting that you walked into a meeting with my father and decided I was something you could demand in exchange for protection. I’m a person, Luca Rocco not some expensive object you can add to your collection.”

He remained silent, that should have warned me instead , I continued

“You don’t know me. You don’t know what I like, what I want, or what kind of life I’ve imagined for myself. You didn’t even have the decency to meet me before deciding I was going to become your wife!”

My voice was rising but I couldn’t stop.

“And the worst part? Everyone keeps acting like I should be grateful! My father is relieved, my mother is trying to make the best of it, and my sister thinks I should be happy because you’re handsome.”

I laughed.

“Congratulations, by the way. You’re very pretty. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make you any less of an asshole.”

Luca’s expression remained unreadable and I pointed toward him.

“And you can stop looking so pleased with yourself! I don’t care how powerful you are or how many hotels you own. I didn’t ask for this marriage, and I certainly didn’t ask for you.”

My chest was rising and falling too quickly but there was one more thing something I’d wanted to say since Father delivered the news.

“You want to know what I really think about this marriage?”

Luca said nothing so I stepped closer to the desk.

“I think you’re a monster.”

The words hung between us. “And I think the only reason you chose me is because you knew my father wouldn’t be able to refuse you. You wanted something that belonged to him, and you didn’t care that you were destroying my life to get it.

There was utter and complete silence, and just then my anger began to fade and with it came the horrifying realization of what I’d just done.

Oh I’d called Luca Ricci a monster to his face in a locked room without my father, my mother, or anyone else around to intervene.

The same Luca Ricci whose name made grown men lower their voices who my father had practically begged for protection.

And I’d just spent several minutes insulting him like he was an annoying boy from university.

I slowly lowered my hand but Luca hadn’t moved.

He was still sitting behind Father’s desk, watching me with an expression I couldn’t read

There was no smile or laughter just nothing and my mouth went dry fast.

For the first time since entering the study, I wondered whether I’d finally pushed him too far.

And when Luca slowly rose from my father’s chair, I realized I had absolutely no idea what he was going to do next.