Kidnapping His Bride

Cat stopped, glaring at her sister as her heart cracked in two. Who was this person who sat before her? She’d had her trials with her sister since she could remember, but nothing as cruel and malicious as this. “What happened to you? When did you become so…callous and mean?”

“I’m not mean. I’m trying my best to protect you. Can’t you see that? Can’t you see how he’s charming you now, convincing you that marrying him is the right thing to do? Once he traps you, he’ll treat you like dirt. Just like our father treats our mother.” Annalisa waved a hand in their mother’s direction as the poor woman used a tissue to dry the tears that stained her cheeks. “He’s worthless, Cat. Run now while you still can. I bought you time, having him tossed in jail. You should be thanking me, not yelling at me.”

Clearly, trying to rationalize with her sister was like talking to a crazy person. Totally ironic…

“Listen, I understand you’re upset.” Annalisa stood, a serene smile on her face. But something about that smile, about Annalisa’s demeanor, was off. “Why don’t we have something to eat and we can discuss the matter more thoroughly? Perhaps you can help me better understand what happened between you and Rafe.”

Wariness crept over Cat. “You want to help us? Why?”

“I didn’t say I wanted to help you. More like I want to know why you ran away with him when you’d already decided you didn’t want to be with him. Of course, if you want to marry him, who am I to stop you?” The smile remained frozen in place as Annalisa waved at their mother. “Let’s all three go to the kitchen and have a little snack. Food always helps me think better. Don’t you agree, Mama?”

“I do, I do,” their mother said, her voice raspy and still clogged with tears.

Cat followed them in the kitchen and sat at the table in the breakfast nook, talking with her mother while Annalisa bustled around the kitchen. Cat told her mother about her trip to New York, how much time she spent with Rafe and how she met his sister. Her mother nodded and didn’t say much, her expression growing more and more sorrowful with every word Cat said until finally her mother reached out and settled her hand over Cat’s, her expression full of warning.

“I love you, my daughter. And I want you to be happy. I’m not sure if this is the man who will bring you true happiness.”

“But why would you agree with Father to have us involved in an arranged marriage?” All her life she’d believed everyone wanted her to marry Rafe. Now they all said she shouldn’t.

She was so confused.

“Bah. I never agreed to that silly arrangement.” Her mother waved her hand, the light catching the diamonds on her useless wedding band. “That was your father’s idea, and Renaldi’s idea. I always thought it was stupid.”

“So why did you let it happen?”

“I wasn’t sure if anything else would come along for you. Annalisa is the one who’s so strong, so resilient. You were always such a meek little thing. Like me. You still are.”

Anger stiffened Cat’s spine. She wanted so desperately to yell at her mother for thinking so little of her, but she held it in. There wasn’t any use in getting her mother upset.

Cat had never seen a more miserable person in all her life.

“You two both need to calm down.” Annalisa came to the table, cups of steaming hot tea in either hand. She set one cup in front of Mama’s place, the other in front of Cat. “Green tea is very soothing. Have a few sips and then we can discuss what’s going to happen next with Rafe.”

Annalisa grabbed her own cup from the kitchen counter and drank from it, smiling at Cat after she swallowed. “Drink up. I promise, you’ll feel much better. The warmth soothes the soul.”

She sounded straight out of a television ad, but Cat was too tired to protest. She sipped from her cup, and reluctantly found Annalisa was right. The warm liquid did soothe as it slid down her throat and settled in her stomach. She’d been in knots ever since they’d encountered the police at the airport. Maybe it would do her some good to finish the tea, clear her head and forge on with a plan to help Rafe.

“I’m going to take my tea to bed,” Mama said, pushing back her chair so she could stand. She reached for her cup of tea and walked out of the kitchen without another word.

“Is she all right?” Cat asked after their mother left.