“This,” he said, “is a strictly family matter.”

“I married into this family three hours ago,” I said.

Luca grabbed my arm, hard.

“Jessi.

Stop.”

I pulled free and moved toward his mother — and that was when Luca slapped me.

My head snapped to the side, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

He leaned in close, his breath thick with whiskey, and told me to stay out of his family’s business.