Then he reached out and gripped my chin, forcing my face up toward his.
"Downstairs just now. Why didn't you put up a fight?" His tone was probing, almost suspicious.
I met his eyes. My voice was flat, without a single ripple of emotion.
"You've always said my temper is too much. That I should learn to be more generous. I gave her the ring and the necklace. Isn't that exactly what you wanted?"
Something complicated flickered through his gaze. His thumb moved against the signet ring on his right hand, a slow half-rotation, then stopped.
He released my chin, wrapped both arms around my waist, and pulled me against his chest.
He smelled of faint tobacco and Olimpia's perfume.
The two scents tangled together, and my stomach turned.
Domenico lowered his head, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.
"Giuliana, I know today was hard on you. Olimpia's older sister was crippled saving my life years ago. I owe a blood debt. It falls on me to take care of Olimpia."
"As long as you behave yourself and stay in line, there will always be a place for you in the Corrado family. You'll still be the woman who's been by my side the longest."