Twisted Hearts (The Camorra Chronicles 5)

I knew one thing she definitely couldn’t do yet, but I kept the words to myself.

“I realize we don’t share the same beliefs,” I said because I could tell that Remo was growing tired of this. Bartering about marriage wasn’t his thing. “But we can agree on one irrefutable rule. As Gemma’s future husband, my word is law. If I want her to attend college, then she’s going to do it.”

Daniele still didn’t look happy. “Your word will be law from the moment the engagement is official, yes.” He turned to my brother again. “Still, it’s not like your wife attended college, Remo, so why my daughter?”

That was the wrong thing to say. Remo didn’t talk about his family, ever. His men usually knew better than to mention Serafina or the twins in his presence. “Because,” Remo said in a harsh voice. “We say so, Daniele.”

Daniele realized his mistake, thank Fuck, and nodded. “All right. But I must insist that Gemma will be adequately protected while she attends college before her wedding. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”

“I can assure you nothing and definitely no one is going to happen to her,” I said. “Everyone will know whom she belongs to.”

Shortly before we had to leave, I was finally allowed a word with Gemma. She’d loosened the top button of her dress and a few strands framed her face, refugees from that horrid updo.

“Interesting outfit for a first date,” I said dryly.

“I didn’t choose the dress. Nonna and Mom did.” She flushed, then frowned. “And this wasn’t a date.” There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice as if she wasn’t sure what constituted a real date. I’d definitely had to show her my version of a date once she was a bit older.

“I don’t get how you manage to be two different people.”

“What?”

“In the boxing ring, you are confident and outspoken. When your family is around, you’re this demure little thing.”

Her lips fell open. “It’s how I’ve been raised… it’s what my family expects of me.”

“And you never want to break free of it?”

She swallowed. “They wouldn’t allow it. They wouldn’t understand if I started dressing like other girls or talk back. It’s just expected of me to be like this.”

“I don’t expect you to be like that. I want you to be who you want to be and decide for yourself. You know what I think of your oppressing traditions.”

“Until we’re engaged, my parents decide over my life.” She tilted her head. “When are we going to get engaged and marry?”

I shrugged, looking away from her hopeful olive eyes. “Once you’ve finished high school, we get engaged and after college, we’ll marry.”

“College?” she blurted. “I’m supposed to go to college? My father would never send me there.”

“I’m going to send you. I told you I want you to be who you want to be.”

Anger flashed on her face, taking me by surprise. “It’s funny how both you and my family think you know what’s best for me when neither of you ask what I want. You decide over my head like they do. That isn’t letting me decide for myself, Savio. That’s oppression in disguise. Maybe I want to be only a wife and mother, maybe I don’t want to go to college. Shouldn’t it be my choice what kind of life I want?”

I was still stunned by Gemma’s outburst when Diego ripped the door open. “It’s time. Your brother needs to leave.”

Diego scanned his sister from head to toe, his eyes lingering on the opened top button. Of course, he’d think that was my doing. Gemma stalked out of the living room, joining the rest of her family in the small entrance hall.

Diego stepped close to me.

“I didn’t touch her, bag it,” I growled.

“That’s not what I was going to say,” he hissed. “It’s about the college bullshit and you acting like the savior who allows my sister to get a higher education. We both know this isn’t about you wanting Gemma to get a degree. You just don’t want to marry soon. You want to be free to fuck around as you please.”

“Who says I can’t do that after the wedding?” I asked.

Diego nodded grimly. “I knew this was a mistake.”

Mick was a sore loser as expected. For days, he gave me the stink eye until he agreed to work out with Diego and me again, of course, only to piss me off.

“And have you tapped it yet?” Mick asked spitefully as he lowered the barbell with a grunt.

“He won’t tap anything if he knows what’s good for him. Dad and I’ll make sure that Gemma heeds our traditions, so shut your fucking mouth.”

“Fuck off. You know how Savio is. He’s probably doing all kinds of nasty shit to her already. Do you really think he’ll wait to get it on until they’re married?”