I stared him down, refusing to buckle beneath his gaze. “I’m your family.”
“You’re a woman I married under false pretenses. And for the sake of argument, we aren’t even legally married. So, you don’t take—”
I stomached my anger. “Watch your words very carefully, Israel Rossi. Because let me tell you, that man flirted with me the entire time we were at our—”
His back stiffened. “I’m done with this conversation. He’s staying with us for a few days at my request. Either make him feel welcome or go back to your uncle and take your chances there. Those are your only two choices.”
I wanted to slap him. I wanted to slap him so hard it screwed his head back on straight. No one’s words had ever hurt so much before. But there was nothing I could do about it. I balled my fists up and swallowed my pride long enough to nod.
Israel raked his gaze down my body, then spun and marched out of the room.
Only to be replaced very quickly by his slimy, snake-like brother. “Lover’s quarrels are hard.”
I licked my lips. “I’m sorry for my attitude when you first arrived. It’s been a trying few days. I’m glad you’re here, though, for Israel’s sake. I know he’s been very wound up lately.”
“And I take it you’re not helping him wind down?”
I drew in a sobering breath. “That isn’t any of your concern.”
He took a step toward me. “Just trying to figure out how much I need to help my brother. And, possibly, if I can help you in the process.”
His hand reached out for me, but I leaned back. I knew when I was being hit on, but at least he wasn’t patting my ass like he did at the wedding. But, with every step I took back, he followed me. With every foot I placed behind me, he placed a foot in front of himself, keeping in step with me as if he meant to back me into some sort of corner. I’d had enough with corners, though. No one would ever back me into another one ever again. Not if I could help it.
Giovanni kept reaching out for me, though. He kept trying to touch me, and I’d break his damn fingers before he got the chance.
I glared at him. “You can help me by keeping your hands--and those comments--to yourself.”
“Oh, come on. I’m just playing around with you. It’s not like you two are married or anything.”
I’m going to kill him. “I’m only going to say this once, so listen up. Just because Israel and I aren’t legally married right now doesn’t mean I’m suddenly on the prowl for someone else. I love him. I love your brother. And I only have eyes for him.”
His eyes widened a bit. “Wow. That’s—that’s really sweet. It’s hard to love a Rossi. Our mother found that out the hard way.”
Is he being sarcastic? “And I have no intention of ever straying, or ever betraying him, or ever doing anything to hurt him.”
“I mean, except marrying him as your cousin and going along with your uncle’s plan and generally keeping him in the dark until you couldn’t any longer. Right?”
Guilt filled my soul. “Right.”
He closed the distance between us, his eyes rife with darkness. “Look, Bonnie. You and I both know that Israel’s never going to attach himself to you, or anyone, for that matter. He views love as something that makes a man weak. He views marriage as something that chops the balls off. He’s never going to bow to what you wish of him.”
I took a step back. “Get away from me.”
He took a step forward, looming over me as desire filled his eyes. “Look, all I’m saying is that I’m here to help my brother. He’s in a time of crisis right now. But if you need some stress relief, too…” He went to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
I smacked his hand away and started to leave. “We’re done with this conversation. You stay away from me, or I’m going to—”
He stepped in my way. “Tell Israel? Try that. See how it goes.”
I gnashed my teeth at him. “Get out of my way.”
He grinned. “Be a little faster next time.”
Everywhere I stepped, he followed. He blocked me from escaping him, and I’d had enough. I didn’t know what the fuck this man’s plan was, but it sure as hell wasn’t going to work. After placing my hands against his chest to shove him away, I finally got out of the corner he backed me into.
He grabbed my arm and twirled me around.
“Let go of me!” I exclaimed, blood thundering through my ears.
He pulled me toward him. “Listen, Bonnie. I tried to tell you at the wedding, but you’re much too good to be standing beside my brother. He’s not going to love you. Ever. He’s not going to give you what you seek. He’s not capable of it. He’s a sociopath, just like our father. But if you’d like me to try—”
I yanked myself away from him. “You’re a slimy snake, just like my uncle. And I’d rather die before considering a chance with you. I know what you’re doing. I know what you’re trying to do, anyway, because you certainly won’t succeed. You’re trying to get me to cheat on Israel so you can go to him and give him an excuse to toss me out. But it’s not going to work. Your little plan isn’t going to work because my heart belongs to your brother. To Israel. Even if he’ll never love me.”
His head tilted off to the side. “You were never loyal to this family. You started your legacy in this family on a lie. And now that I’m here, I’m going to show my brother once and for all of what my father tried to convince him of a few days ago
