He shakes his head slightly. “A virgin in today’s world? I think that is a reward in itself, no?”
I laugh, shrugging my shoulder. “I suppose you’re correct. I’ll need more than just the fact that she’s a virgin though, don’t you think?”
“First, I need to know if you’re willing,” he says.
Thinking about his words. I wonder if I am. Could I marry a complete stranger? Could I vow my fidelity to some woman that I’ve never met before? It would be a good way to rid my mind of Pippa.
Though, I’ll probably continue to desire her, at least I won’t be able to do anything about it. Unlike my father, I decided at a young age that I would never keep a mistress.
I never want a woman to live a life in secrecy the way my mother did. I will never ask someone else, woman or child, to take a back seat and accept bits and pieces of my time.
When I marry, I plan on it being real. I’ll work on that marriage until the day that I die. There will be no comaré. No other woman will have my attention in that way.
The decision that I make, it is made quickly, but not lightly. I’m almost thirty years old. It is time to begin the second part of my life, to start a family of my own.
“I agree to this,” I state with a nod.
Arlo lets out a small laugh. “I knew that you would. Which is why I set her up in a room here. She is isolated, untouchable, and will remain that way until you give me instructions.”
“Have you talked to Santoro?” I ask.
He shakes his head once. “Not yet. He’ll agree to the union. He doesn’t care who you marry as long as she is a good fit for the famiglia. And she is just that.”
Inhaling a deep breath, I jerk my head once. “How do we proceed?” I ask.
“You’re not a boss, so a grandeur wedding isn’t necessarily needed, but a nice ceremony would probably go over well with your bride. She is a virgin, after all. Why not give her the fairy tale beginning?”
I almost snort. A fairy tale beginning for and ending of hell as my wife. I think about his words, then decide that I’ll do it. I’ll agree to an actual wedding so that the famiglia can celebrate. Weddings and babies are always a reason to party for us, so why shouldn’t we with this one?
“Let’s do it. A wedding for my bride.”
PIPPA
I stand at the small window and look out at the city. There isn’t much to see, it’s too dark outside to really take in much, but the moon is bright and if I close my eyes, I can almost imagine that it’s the sun and that there is heat coming from it.
I’m in a fancy room, a suite. It’s the nicest place I’ve ever been in before. I was escorted here a few hours ago and locked inside. Arlo promised me that he was going to proposition the man that he had in mind to be my husband. I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to enter into a marriage or not. The idea scares me, actually all of my options terrify me.
I hear the door deadbolt unlock, then it opens and closes before it’s locked again. I don’t look behind me, my gaze is still focused out at the city ahead of me, out at the moon shining down. He doesn’t speak immediately, probably wondering if I’m going to turn around to face him or not.
I don’t.
“The man that I had in mind has accepted the proposal to marry you, Pippa,” Arlo says, his voice ringing through the otherwise silent room.
Pressing my lips together, I nod once, then turn around to face him. “And he is?”
Arlo’s lips twitch as he shakes his head. “Sorry, I haven’t told him who you are either. Don’t worry, you’ll find out soon enough.”
“As long as I agree,” I say, reminding him that I haven’t completely agreed yet.
He walks over to the living area and sinks down on to the sofa. He jerks his chin toward the empty chair across from him. My eyes flick from the chair to him, then back to the chair before my feet shift and move, carrying me over to the empty space.
Sinking down, I sit on the edge of the cushion, my gaze meeting his. “You want to fuck someone who bids on a woman’s virginity? Trust me when I tell you, he will probably not make it pleasant for you and I will not be able to force him to do so, either. All I can do is ensure your safety and your paycheck. I cannot ensure your pleasure.”
My entire body jolts at his words, my eyes widen and my lips part. I know that he’s right. I’d thought of it briefly, but was trying to live in denial.
The idea of a man being unkind to me, paying for my body then walking away doesn’t really sit all that well with me, but what if my husband is the same kind of man?
“If you choose to be one of my girls, the same goes, but know that there are tricks you’ll learn that will aid in pleasure for both you and a client. Also, if you do work for me, you have no say as to who comes to your bed. You’ll share your body with countless men,” he explains.
I stay silent. I don’t know what to say or think. Thoughts of my sister, Bellarosa, move around in my head. Images of her being taken by man after man for years fill my mind. My heart aches at the idea of what she must have gone through. I’m not sure if I can do that, too.
“Bellarosa?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nods his head. “I knew her. She’s a very sweet girl, reminds me very much of you. She fell for one of her clients and her heart was bruised. It’s hard to be in this industry and not every person can do it, man or woman. I’m not sure you have the disposition.”
I agree, though I don’t tell him that. “This man? What can you tell me?”
Arlo’s lips curl up into a smile. He stands and I watch as he walks over to the window. He rocks back on his heels as he reaches for his hands behind his back. He doesn’t speak right away, I wait.
“You know that I was contracted into marriage?” he asks.
Shaking my head, I clear my throat to verbally answer him, because I know that he can’t see me. “I didn’t,” I state.
He nods his head, turning around and his gaze flicks up to meet my own. “I did not love her, I did not even like her to be truthful,” he begins.
I’m not sure why he’s telling me any of this, but he continues. “While married to her, I did fall in love with my now wife. A lot happened, most of which you don’t need to know. But my wife died, and I was free to be with the woman I loved. Do you know why I’m saying any of this?” he asks.
Shaking my head, I continue to watch him. He smiles softly, then tilts his head to the side. “This man is much like me. His life is devoted to the famiglia, to his duties. However, you are nothing like the woman that I married the first time. You’re more like my wife, now. Which is why I think this union would be good for you both. Typically, these types of marriages are put together to benefit the famiglia.”
“But him marrying me doesn’t do that,” I say, pointing out the obvious.
He dips his chin in agreement, then takes a few steps forward. He doesn’t sit down again, instead he shifts his feet from side to side.
“It doesn’t. But it will strengthen his position, it will give him the appearance of stability that he needs. And I know without a doubt that you will make him happy, Pippa. I also feel that he will take care of you too. He’s a good man.”