Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
The simple statement caught me off guard and I wasn’t sure how to respond. In this world of calculated moves and strategic alliances, her candor felt refreshing. Dangerous, perhaps, but refreshing.
“Plus, it’s not like I’m allowed to go out and make friends.”
“Neither am I,” I murmured.
“Exactly.” She nodded, twisting her lips in a small pout. “So you get it. Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to be my sister. But I hope we get along since we’ll be living in the same house and will be seeing each other every day.”
“I think I’d like that,” I replied, surprising myself. I was warming up to Giulia. It was exhausting being so diplomatic the last couple of days and it felt good to finally have a genuine conversation with another woman who understood the life I have lived.
We were different, but also the same.
“It would be nice to have someone to talk to who isn’t constantly weighing every word for political implications,” I admitted quietly, allowing myself to let my guard down. Just for a moment.
Giulia laughed, the sound light and soft. “Oh, I still choose my words carefully. I just hide it better.” She winked, licking frosting from her thumb. “Though I should warn you, this place has eyes and ears everywhere. The staff report to Father, the security reports to Matteo, and—"
“And Adrian?” I asked before I could stop myself.
Her expression shifted subtly. “Adrian has his own network. He’s... unpredictable that way.”
Of course he was. And he seemed to materialize from the shadows at the most inconvenient moments. And I loathed him for it. I truly did.
Before I could formulate a proper response, a sharp knock interrupted us.
Giulia rolled her eyes. “Who could that possibly be at this hour?”
She rose elegantly from the chair and crossed the bedroom like a graceful breeze to the door. When she opened the door, the first thing I saw was Matteo’s tall frame filling the doorway. He was wearing the same tailored black suit from dinner, though the tie was now missing and he had unbuttoned his collar, giving him a more casual appearance.
I stood up as his gaze flickered between Guilia and me. There was momentary surprise on his face before his expression shuttered with neutral politeness. “Giulia,” he said, his voice betraying mild confusion. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“Just having some girl talk,” she replied, raising an eyebrow, almost questioningly. “What are you doing here, at this hour?”
His eyes moved past her to me, and I felt myself instinctively running my hands over my dress, trying to smooth out any creases.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything important,” Matteo said, stepping into the room as Giulia moved aside. He stood in the middle of the room, shoving his hands into the pockets of his black pants. “But I’ve come with an invitation.”
“An invitation?” I immediately found my guard rising, my muscles clenching with tension.
Matteo’s lips curved into a rare, cunning smile. “My brother is fighting tonight.”
“Fighting?” I echoed, confused.
Giulia gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Adrian fighting at The Pit? He hasn’t fought in over a year!”
“I thought you might want to see it, Serafina,” Matteo continued, his eyes never leaving mine. “Get a taste of... another side of our world.”
“But why would he fight now? Why would he go back?” Giulia pressed, her voice lowering despite us three being alone in the room, as if she was whispering a secret. “I thought he quit, after everything that… no, never mind.”
“I don’t pretend to understand Adrian’s motivations. Perhaps he’s in one of his… moods,” Matteo cut her off smoothly. He turned his attention back to me. “It’s rare for a Salvatore to participate. We usually choose spectating over actual fighting. I thought it might be... insightful for you to witness this side of our world.”
My pulse quickened. The Pit I realized was an underground fighting ring. I’d heard whispers of such things. Brutal, bloody, unregulated matches where men fought for sports and spectators bet obscene amounts of money on the outcomes. The idea of watching Adrian or anyone participate in such violence made my stomach churn.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate for me,” I said carefully, trying to keep my voice steady. “Besides, I’m quite tired from today’s tour.”
Matteo’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. “It would be beneficial for you to understand all aspects of our family’s... enterprises. Even the less refined ones.”
Blood roared between my ears when I realized this wasn’t merely an invitation but an expectation. A test, perhaps.
“My brother wouldn’t find this acceptable.”
“Oh, your brother will actually be attending this fight. It’s convenient. You’ll have your chaperone with you so technically, you’re not breaking any rules.”
“I’ll come too,” Giulia said, biting on her lip. The confident, sassy woman from earlier? She was gone. Giulia looked a little pale… nervous and almost… scared. “It’s been a while since I’ve been to The Pit.”