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.”
“I will, make him happy, that is?”
He nods. “You will. He would like to give you a wedding ceremony of your choice. If you would like a planner, then you shall have one.”
“What about my sister, can Rosana come, too?” I ask.
His lips twitch. “Your sister can be at your side of course. In fact, if you’d like her with you full time, it can be arranged as well. All that you’ve said, and not said, about Irene, maybe it’s best she’s removed from her home?”
My breath hitches. Would he really? Could he give me my sister? She’s fourteen, still a child, but only four years from being an adult. I have wondered if she’ll be in my same position when she reaches of age and Irene no longer receives her compensation checks at all.
“My new husband, would he agree?” I ask softly.
Arlo shrugs a shoulder, then he lets out a small sigh. “He’ll agree to whatever his boss requests of him.”
Shifting my gaze to my lap, I lift my eyes to meet his. “Aunt Irene loves Rosana. I think that she will be safe with her, but if that changes…”
Arlo smiles, dipping his chin in a nod. “If that changes then we can revisit.”
“Thank you, Arlo,” I whisper.
“So, you’re in agreement? You’ll marry the man?”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I wonder how incredibly crazy I am for agreeing to this. Then, I decide that it’s about the same amount of crazy as if I were going to auction my virginity off or become one of his expensive call girls.
“I agree,” I blurt out.
His lips twitch into a smile. “Good. This will be your home until the nuptials. I can send a planner over soon to get started. You won’t want to stay here long, so we’ll need to get moving,” he explains.
Nodding, I watch as he walks past me and toward the door. He stops with his hand on the knob, then looks back at me from over his shoulder. “This will work out, Pippa. I think that both of you will find your peace in this union.”
“Can you tell me his name?” I ask.
Arlo’s lips twitch and he shakes his head once. “I can’t, but you’ll find out soon enough.”
Without another word, I watch as he opens the door then slips out. He locks the door behind him, effectively locking me inside. I don’t mind. Instead of being upset about being locked in, I curl up into the chair and close my eyes. I’m sure there’s a bed somewhere in here, but right now, I just need to stay right here.
I can’t believe I’ve just accepted a proposal of marriage to a stranger. Not only is he a stranger, but he’s a Made Man. This is something I told myself I would never do, not ever. Yet, here I am. Call it desperation, but I need his money. I need the money that I despise so much, just so that I can live.
I’m going to sell my soul to the Devil and I feel absolutely
