THE CARETAKER BRIDE

n at dinner. I was supposed to stay in my room all afternoon like a good girl while my parents

wers beneath it, i patiently waited until i heard the bell. I took off my shoe and walked b

my mum high pitched feminine greeting, my parents were exchanging pleasantries with the two men. My father appeared f

r more imposing. His expression was like steel-blank, unmoving and cold. Even her mother's flirtations didn't manage to get a smile from him. At least the other man looked like he was enjoying himself. Nicolas didn't look old and certainly not ov

t finished high school. What was there for us to talk about? My hi

w hired women were likely more his style. A rush of anxiety tightened my stomach. In less than four months, i'd be expected to sleep with thi

nd was left to care for his children alone. Maybe he was grieving. But the coldness in his d

their emotions from a young age. His lack of

my best cognac and talk about the marriage?" my

his head, acknowl

f is preparing a feast for tonight," my mother added, her enthusia

ther man gave her moth

ally smile with his

ped into the library, which was next to the office. Pressing my ear ag

od for both of us," my

Isabella abou

time made her heart skip. That would be the way i'd he

tell from the sound that he was

id she

hat it's an honor to

ll my eyes, wishing i

s tone sharp. "She's not only going to be my wife. I need

t left my father's lips, and i took a moment to register it. I didn't feel like

ler for a few minutes, but i had ne

bella will satisfy yo

use. Had Nicolas and his companion mi

is throat again. "Ha

, after our

g meeting with the Capo, and my mind w

ke to relax a bit before dinner. It's bee

or. The library is quiet, and we still have

c, i slipped behind one of the bookshelves, pressing myself against it. She peeked around to see Nicolas and Faro step into

stairs with both o

Faro

rown was still there, but some of the tension had faded. "Exhausting.

was exhausting, yes, but N

Faro asked, picking up a frame f

dely, braces showing, two small sunflowers adorning her pigtails, and wearing a polka-dotted dress with red rubbe

napped, making me flinch. "I feel like a

wn. "She's a cute kid

id of those braces and awfu

A mix of anger and embarras

e schoolgirl loo

goddamn schoolgirl," N

the shelf, sending it topp

ell over

next aisle, but it was too late. A shadow loomed over me, and i collided with

, sir," I blurted without thought, my manners

rdening. Then, something shifted in hi

ons went, this one could