Page 54 of Devious Vows
My heart thumps, palms sweating as I thank them both. I can’t help the smile that splits my cheeks.
Beverly is finally mine.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Excuse me?” I ask, sputtering around my drink. Grabbing a napkin, I dab at the tea that spilled onto the table.
“You’re going to marry Gavino,” my mother says, smiling like she’s telling me what day of the week it is instead of this.
“Since when?” Placing my cup on the table, I gape at her, my heart pounding in my throat.
“Since this morning.” She sighs, setting her cup down as well. “Your father passed on the news that he and Mr. Luciano made the agreement after finding out that you’ve lost your innocence.”
My eyes had wandered to the tablecloth, but now they flick to her face with shock.
“Don’t look at me like that, Beverly.” She tosses her napkin down on the table. “You had to have known that this would come out eventually.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “And you’re fortunate your father is as close to Mr. Luciano as he is, otherwise this would ruin our family’s reputation and blacklist you for any decent husband.”
I swallow, my throat growing tight.I know she’s right.“If it makes a difference, I was supposed to be marrying him at the time—”
“It doesn’t,” she interrupts. “You’re lucky that Gavino is willing to marry you and that they have all sworn secrecy over the transgression.” With a loud sigh, she continues, “Your father was trying to set you up with Stefano Di Salvo. Can you imagine what would have happened on the wedding night when he found out? What kind of backlash that would have caused?”
Gavino told them.
I know he did. Because the only other people who knew were my brother and Remy. Two people I know with confidence would never say a word.
I didn’t know my father was talking to Mr. Di Salvo, but she’s right. I don’t know how I thought I could keep it a secret once the time came to marry.Again.
Although I’m hurt by Gavino’s actions, I’m thankful it’s him I’ll be marrying. He’s always been a friend. I know he already cares for me. He’s a far better option than Stefano.
“You’re right. I am fortunate the situation turned out how it has.” My mother’s eyebrows rise at my admission, but she remains silent. The words are bitter in my mouth. Knowing this is the best option doesn’t make it one I’m happy with. “Gavino is a fine man and he will make a fine husband.” A tear slips from my lashes and I quickly brush it away. I stand, turning my face away before more fall. “I forgot I had something I needed to do.”
I give her a watery smile, one I know she sees through, but I’m thankful she doesn’t comment on it. “I’ll see you tomorrow for lunch.”
Her response falls on deaf ears as I walk from the room, my palms brushing away more tears I couldn’t keep back the moment my back was turned.
I need to get out of here.
Taking a deep breath, I watch the swans from the park bench, my chin resting on my knuckles. The sun is just starting to set, orange and pink glowing through the trees to reflect on the water’s surface. It’s peaceful out here, quiet. I needed the hour I’ve been here alone.
A big body blocks my view, and I swallow, lifting my head from my hand to look up at him. I’m not surprised he found me. He always had a knack for it and I knew he would the moment he heard the news. Still, my heart wasn’t ready for it. It’s been nearly three weeks since I’ve seen him. Three weeks since he got married.Three weeks of living and sleeping with his wife. The thoughts spur tears to prick at my eyes, my heart racing as he drops to his haunches in front of me so that we’re nearly at eye level.
His fingers rise, running over my lips. My eyes blink closed at the touch, my aching heart begging for more. I can feel him pulling away and I’m not ready. So I grab onto his wrist, stopping him. “You found me.” My eyes open with the question, every word kissing his fingertips.
He moves closer, bringing his other hand up to push some loose strands of hair from my face.“Sempre e per sempre.”Forever and always.His forehead presses to mine and my eyes close again. “I won’t let you marry him.”
I bite my lip, forcing the tears clogging my throat to stay back. “You don’t have a choice.” I pull back just enough to look into his face. “And you have Viva.”
His face twists at the mention of her, honey browns sweeping over my features. “You’re mine, remember?”
His voice is low, gravel scraping over my skin, pebbling it with gooseflesh. Taking my hand off his wrist, he raises my palm to his lips. My heart thumps, beating so hard I’m sure he can hear it as he pulls away from me, his eyes never wavering from mine. His words are spoken angrily, with a desperation and promise I feel in every crack of my heart.
“You’vealwaysbeen mine.”
TO BE CONTINUED….