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"I agree," Father says "I didn't anticipate Gustavo sending his daughter here with us We need a cover plan for Marzia's presence in your life"

"We need more than that," I hiss "I don't want to marry Nicoletta I don't want to risk my relationship with—"

"You've got to stop thinking about the Da Costa girl"

"I don't want to"

"She's not meant for you, Adrian Nicoletta is"

"How are you going to explain all this to her, anyway?" I glare at hiht-out cover story about Marzia And if he finds out, her father's going to fucking kill me"

"I'll introduce her as your ward," Father e Nicoletta won't know the difference We'll tell her you're taking care of her as a favor to an old family friend"

"I don't want to do that," I say right away "Father, you have the power to break off the engagement with Nicoletta You know I don't want tome to do this?"

"You'll learn soon enough," he oing with It also gives you an excuse to have Marzia around, and Nicoletta won't suspect a thing"

"I don't agree with this" I crossa fucking mess I'll have to clean up later"

"The only mess in this case is Marzia," Father hisses "Get rid of her and o away"

"It's not about killing people just because it's easier," I grind out "It's about doing the right thing for the people you love Your falia"

For aI could almost describe as pride "And is Marzia your family?"

"Not yet," I admit "But I want her to be You know I always believed we should be together Don't take that away from me, not now"

He pondersme

My blood boils again, but I'ht with Father Instead, I walk out of his office and down the hallway that has doors to two futures—one with the woman I want, the other with the one my father picked for me

I pick one of the doors and unlock it I turn the light on