Page 68 of Monster's Edge
I’m surprised, however, when the man looks at me and smiles. “Edoardo,” he tells me.
“Edoardo?”
“Edoardo Smith,” he nods.
My jaw drops. It takes all of my energy to keep from laughing. Wait, why is this guy’s name Edoardo Smith? Shouldn’t it be like, something actually Italian?
He seems to be used to this sort of reaction, though, because he just watches me until I get myself sorted, and then he nods.
“My mother was not Italian,” he tells me. “She insisted I have her name.”
“Why?” This was such an uncommon thing in the world of crime that it didn’t make much sense. Everyone knew that you took your dad’s last name. Always. Italian or not, bloodline was important. How were people going to know which family you belonged to if you had a last name like Smith?
“She was very progressive,” he tells me, and I can sense that the matter is closed, so I just nod and keep walking. The two of us head down the hallway. We make a couple of turns and soon we end up standing in front of a bedroom. The door is open, and I know even without stepping inside whose space this is. It’s certainly not a guest room.
“This is Ian’s room.”
“Yes.”
“Why did you bring me here?”
“Because it’s Ian’s room.”
Okay, we’re once more talking in circles. I don’t really like that. I have a bad feeling when it comes to situations like this. I want everything to be straightforward. Honest. Blunt.
Ian called mehisand then booted me from his room. He doesn’t want me in there. I think that my fear and anxiety is showing on my face because Edoardo looks at me gently and places a hand on my shoulder.
“He’s not there,” he says quietly.
“What?”
“He left. He’ll be back later. For now, you need to go in.”
“But why?” I whisper the question. I already know the answer. Even before Edoardo speaks, I absolutely know what he’s going to say, and I know that the answer is going to be devastating to me. It’s really not something anyone ever wants to hear. It’s not romantic. It’s not exciting. It’s not special.
“Because you’re his, Rose.”
Then he pushes me inside.
