Romeo didn’t shift and move the way most people did. He simply sat in perfect stillness while he considered her. “Explain to me how you marrying Dante Verducci helps with this situation.”
“It takes me off the market. Without them able to pretend they’re pressing a match for me, they’ll have to be honest about what their goals are.”
His gaze flicked to her throat. Her makeup covered the faded bruises, but he stared as if he could see them clearly. “Seems to me that they’re already being honest about what their goals are.”
She shrugged. “I want Dante. He’s mine. That’s reason enough to marry him.”
Again, that curve of his lips. Again, the smile came nowhere close to his eyes. “If I agree to stand aside and allow you to marry him without consequence, you will provide me with all the information you have on Lev Romanov.” She opened her mouth to reply, but he kept speaking before she could. “In addition to that, you will put aside any schemes or plotting to divest me of my wife.”
She swallowed hard. “And if she doesn’t want to stay married to you?”
“Ask her yourself, Rose.” He motioned for the door. “Now, leave me in peace. I expect regular updates on the Jovan situation as it unfolds.”
“Of course.” She rose smoothly to her feet. “I’ll see my sister, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
“By all means.”
Rose had to force herself to turn and walk to the door, leaving Romeo her back. Every instinct demanded she keep him in sight, but pride was a fickle thing and reputation even more so. He’d agreed to hold their alliance without demanding more than she was willing to give, even if she married Dante. It was better than she’d dared hope.
Out in the hallway, Drucilla and Fabian were nowhere in sight, but Lorelei stood speaking with Vasily under the harsh oversight of Salvatore. He didn’t seem to be doing anything overtly wrong, but he was standing a little too close to Lorelei and was glaring at Vasily a little too hard.
Her sister saw her and moved to meet her. She grabbed Rose’s hands. “Don’t do anything to endanger my marriage to Romeo.”
Rose blinked. “I can’t believe you married him, Lorelei. What were you thinking?”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Her smirk was just as fake as her nails currently digging into Rose’s hands. She stared up at Rose. “Listen to me. I do not need or want your help. Do you understand me, Rose? No meddling. No sending Anya to fuck with Romeo. I have things under control.”
Something was very, very wrong. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Has he hurt you?”
Lorelei blinked, true shock filtering into her expression. “No. Of course not. I’d kill him if he did.”
“Then what’s going on?” Rose murmured. “Why are you acting so weird? Why is he so set on you?”
Lorelei shook her head and dropped her hands. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.” No hesitation. It was the truth.
“Then trust that I have the situation under control.”
She wanted to keep arguing, but Drucilla and Fabian rounded the corner, each carrying a bottle of wine. She was out of time. “If that changes, promise that you’ll ask for help.”
“I’m a big girl, Rose. I can take care of myself.” Lorelei turned and walked through the door and back into the private dining room without another word.
The two Capparellis didn’t engage as they slipped past her, but Salvatore stopped with his big hand on the door. He was bigger than Vasily, easily as large as Grady. He stared down at her for a long moment. “Leave your sister alone. She’s a Capparelli now.” He turned and headed through the doorway before she could come up with a good response to that.
Lorelei might be married to a Capparelli, but she was a fucking Romanov. If they thought they could wave that away without consequences…
One thing at a time.
Vasily fell into step beside her as she headed for the exit. They kept their voice low. “She’s okay.”
“Something is wrong.”
“Lorelei is capable. She’s got it covered.”
They fell silent as they moved through the dining room and out the front door. It was only when they were safely in the car again that Rose spoke. “It’s a problem for another day, unfortunately. I need to speak with my parents. Now.”
Chapter 25
Rose wasted no time seeking out her parents as soon as she arrived home. She needed to speak to them before someone reported on where she’d been. Most conversations between her and Papa and Mama weren’t political negotiations, but the same couldn’t be said for what came next. She needed all the advantages she could get.
There was no need to ask where her parents were. At this hour on a Saturday night, they’d be in the study, drinking tea and going over the week’s reports. They liked to button up each week like that, since Sundays were usually reserved for family.
Sure enough, when she strode through the door, they had their heads together looking at something on Papa’s computer. Mama had on a casual gray wrap dress and Papa was clothed, as always, in one of his customary suits, though he’d lost his tie and had rolled up his sleeves. He idly stroked a hand through Mama’s hair, the casual intimacy making Rose’s chest ache.
She wanted that. More, she finally had a true chance at it, and she wouldn’t let anything stand in her way. This was the last barrier that stood between her and Dante being able to be together.
Rose shut the door and waited for them to look at her. “We need to talk.”
“We were just wrapping up.” Papa kissed Mama’s temple and sat back. “It’s good you’re here. Vladimir is in town. He wants a meeting tomorrow morning.”
Vladimir Romanov was Jovan’s second son. He was as close to Jovan himself as they’d get on this continent. Neither Jovan nor his heir would be traveling, which made sense. Why leave their seat of power? “He’s here to issue some fucked-up ultimatum.”
“Da.”
She had even less time than she thought. So be it. Rose straightened her spine and worked to keep her tone even and reasonable. “Papa, I listened to your concerns yesterday and while I respect them, they are no longer an issue. I’ve dealt with both Romeo and Kirill. I’m going to marry Dante Verducci.”
Papa went still. “Absolutely not.”
She’d expected it, but his instant refusal still stung. “Either give your blessing or excommunicate me.” She stared him down. “Those are your two options. Choose.”
Mama narrowed her eyes, but she put a hand on Papa’s arm. “Where’s this coming from?”
“I love him.” It wasn’t the first time she’d said it aloud, but the admission was still new enough to rock her. The three little words went through her like a bomb going off.
Her mother didn’t move. “You love him enough to choose him over your family?”
“I don’t want to make that choice. I won’t if I don’t have to.”
“Don’t act like anyone is backing you into this corner. You’re there by choice,” Papa snapped.