Worry creased her face. "But Dom... but Dominic has made it known that anyone who dares propose to you is making an enemy of the Valenti family."
"If you aren't chosen this time, what will become of your future..."
My hands clenched, nails biting into my palms.
Dominic wanted to bring home a decorative wife, a marriage in name only.
Every daughter from the families in Aurelia was his for the choosing.
Why did he insist on clinging to me?
Was it simply because the Corsettis had fallen far enough to be bullied?
Too bad for him. He'd miscalculated.
The summons for the Montecarlo alliance selection arrived, just as I'd expected.
My mother rose before dawn to help me dress.
The gown was elaborate, the hairpiece heavy on my head.
She steadied my shoulders, her eyes rimmed red. "Serafina, whatever happens, selected or not, your father and I and every last member of this family will stand behind you."
A sharp ache bloomed in my chest. I nodded.
The car bound for the Montecarlo estate had been waiting outside the gate for some time.
After saying goodbye to my parents and my sister, I climbed in alone.
Then, outside the Montecarlo estate gates, I ran into Dominic Valenti.