Semua Bab The Pensive Gentleman: Bab 11 - Bab 20

AngelicaThe tense silence that envelopes the SUV is not empty, it’s deliberate, like he’s daring me to break it. Like he knows I listened in on a conversation I shouldn’t have and wants me to question him.I sit tight-lipped and tight-legged, not wanting any part of me to touch any part of him, with my hands gripping hard the take-home bag Marina slipped to me just as I was about to get into the car.“Dinner,” she had mouthed with a knowing smile, and I wished I could just hug her. Though now, the smell of it lingers between us, stubborn in the confined space.Marciano says nothing, but his jaw tightens so visibly that the urge to get away from him crawls up my spine.I release my lips, telling myself it would be better to just apologize for the inconvenience, but even as I part my lips, the words don’t form, so I turn my head to the window.I’ve seen the city at night, given that most of my outings with Nicolas span into the night, but this feels…new. Almost like it’s my first time

Angelica I shift uncomfortably in the car seat as the car begins to move, my journal tugging at the forefront of my mind. I shouldn’t go back. Every instinct I have tells me not to. But the thought of my journal in Nicolas’ hands, and the fact that this might be my only opportunity to get it back since I’ve been placed on house arrest, makes my stomach turn. “Um.” I bite on my lower lip before finding the right words to say. “Do you think we can make a quick detour to Brown Hill?” Gabriele, the guy Marina sent, raises his eyes from the road to meet mine in the rear-view mirror. For a second, I think he’s going to refuse me, but he nods once. “Certainly, Mrs. D’amato.” Mrs. D’amato. The name sinks. That’s who I am now, but somehow, it doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel like me. “It will take us fifteen minutes to get there,” he adds, his face and voice expressionless. I look down at my watch and nod. We’ll be able to make it to brunch in time…I hope. I rub my pal

Marciano“Boss,” Gabriele bows, “you called for me?”I nod once, bringing my glass of water to my lips. I take a sip, my eyes coasting over to my wife for a second, before returning to his face.“Che è successo?” (What happened?)I don’t need to explain. He already knows what I’m asking.“I’m not quite sure either,” he begins, cracking his knuckles. “I went to pick her up as Donna Marina instructed, but on getting there, Signora wanted to take a detour to Brown Hill, so I took her.”I drag a breath and release it, narrowing my eyes as his words settle. She went to her family’s house? On her first day of being married.Did she go to report to her father?It seems likely. That’s exactly the kind of move I’d expect from her.My jaw tightens slightly. If that were the case, then Hearst should know I’m onto him.The edge of my lips tips up in a faint smirk.“Did you catch any conversations?” He shakes his head, then raises h

Angelica I stare at the big rock on my ring finger, cozying up to the view of the city below me. I’ve been married for four days now, and I’ve only seen Marciano once. Not that I’m complaining. If anything, I like the solitude, because he’s the last person I want in my space. Especially after that afternoon at D’amato mansion where I caught him staring at me like someone who couldn’t wait to choke me to death. But, I have a problem; Nicolas. I had just finished tidying up my plates after lunch when his call came in. “Don’t you think it’s high time you bring your husband home for dinner?” He asked. I had wanted to tell him it’d be impossible, since Marciano had warned me to stay away from him, but he cut me off with his next words and hung up. “Tonight, Angelica. Do not mess this up.” I didn’t want to mess anything up, that’s why even though I’m running out of food here, I never called anyone for help, but now Nicolas wants me to ask Marciano to dinner? And he thinks that’s not

AngelicaMy phone pings the second I shut my laptop, done with my two lectures for today. A smile spread across my face as I grab it, swiping up to the text from the only other person now who would text me.‘So, I did ask around and I found two with really high ratings and good reviews.’ The text reads.‘Great! Thank you. I’ll check them out.’ I send.‘And I’m sorry for any inconvenience.’The three bubbles pop up, indicating Alex is still typing but I tap on the first link he sent, leading me to my browser, and away from his text.While my last lecture was going on, Alex and I were texting each other. It wasn’t for fun or leisure, but for my survival.Just this morning I’d eaten the last batch of cereal, with the last glass of milk, and currently, the entire apartment is empty. So, I’d asked Alex if he knew any pawn shops and he said he’d ask around for me.Back home with Nicolas, I would never have dreamed of the idea of a pawn shop because not only did he provide all I needed—at a