A Dark Dance

Chapter4

#Viola's POV

I'm going to marry you.

That's what he said.

I pulled away, turning in his embrace with a look of shock. My eyes narrow on him. I might be upset that the man I gave myself to, the father of my baby, was going to marry my sister in a contract marriage, but for him to think that I would just...What, jump for joy?

I wiggle loose from him and stand, my legs shaking. "Marry me? What, did my father decide to trade me in that stupid f*****g deal." My words are harsh, but justified. "I'm not an object to be given away by another. No one is going to tell me who I marry or what I do with my life."

Dante rises slowly, running a hand through his hair. I can see the wheels turning in his eyes. I might not know him, but I knew the kind of man he was.

"Tesoro,"

"No," I cut him off. "I'm not part of any bargain."

I move past him, turning off the water in my sink as I move into my bedroom, angry and honestly, hurt and confused.

"You're pregnant. With my child." He says softly.

I whirl on him, fire in my eyes. "My child!" I growl.

I can feel my stomach start to twist, not with sickness again, but in despair. A part of me had wanted to find him, to tell him. A part of me had wanted to find him again to feel like I did that night, to be touched like that again. And here he was. But it wasn't on my terms. And my father had told him about my baby, and clearly, the two of them had decided to use me as their little pawn.

Absolutely not.

"Get out of my room. Now!" I shout.

He doesn't back down though, stepping closer. "Tesoro,"

"Stop. Stop calling me that!" I yell, pushing at him. "I'm not yours. I don't belong to my father either. And this baby, me, we don't need any of you."

I can see his anger flaring in his eyes, but he doesn't stop me from shoving him out of my room. Just moves back towards the door until he was just out of the threshold. I tried to push the door closed, but he held out a hand, stopping me. "Viola, this discussion isn't over. But," he sighs and drops his hand, stepping back, "but I'll go. For now."

I slam the door, the hinges shaking. Then, I drop to the floor in front of my bed, pulling my knees to my chest and hugging them close. I cry.

Sometime later, there's a soft knock at my door. "Viola, it's just me." Bea says softly through the door. "Can I come in?"

I'm still on the floor, knees hugged and my forehead pressed against them. I don't bother standing. "Yea." I call out, just loud enough for her to hear.

When the door opens, I look up. Bea is wearing her pj's and slippers, carrying a pint of ice cream and two spoons. She offers me a gentle and sympathetic smile. "Emotional support? It's goat cheese and cherry."

I can't help it, I perk up just a little and give her a small smile. "Ah, grasshopper, you've learned well."

She gives me a light chuckle, sitting down beside me. "You and mama had the weirdest sense of humor." She hands me a spoon then pulls off the lid, passing the pint to me. "I still think Claudio and me were adopted."

I just grin and dig in for a large spoonfull, before passing it to her. "Nah, you have her smile and nose. And, you're funny...sometimes."

Bea just shakes her head and takes a smaller scoop. "So...wanna talk about it."

"No." I say quickly, spoon in my mouth. Then I sigh and smack my lips as I pull it out. "So yea, that is the man who I let take my virginity, in a club, while half drunk. Puttana!"

She takes another small bite before handing me the ice cream back. "It works out though, right? You can marry him and the deal can still work."

I turn my head slowly, narrowing my eyes. I can't stop the sneer that forms on my lips. "Are you out of your damn mind?" I snatch the ice cream from her and stand, letting out a harsh laugh as I sit on my bed, away from her. "Everyone has lost their minds since mama passed. No, I'm not going to marry him and I don't give two shits about that contract."

Bea's shoulders drop and she leans her head back against my footboard. "Viola, you're nineteen and pregnant. Dante would marry you, take care of you, and then papa could have everything back. It could all be normal again."

I have to fight the urge to toss the pint of ice cream against the wall. That's what they all think? That things will go back to normal. I stare at my older sister, contempt in my hazel eyes. And for the first time, I was grateful that my father had sent me to live with my mothers sister, with my Zio Antonio. I was taught in pride, in working hard, in taking care of ones family. Was Zio Antonio a criminal, yes. Did he occasionally use force to prove a point, absolutely. But his family came first, not for reputation, but because of love. And clearly, within the Moreau household, the only thing that mattered was their love of comfort.

I shake my head, refusing to cry. "I love you, Claudio...even papa. But no. Your life is not my responsiblity and from now on, I'm making it a point to get as far away from you all as I can." With that, I finish my ice cream, not offering to share anymore.