*Caterina*
“She is equal to me,” Elio was saying.
I tried to look away so Franky couldn’t see the smug smile take over my face as he said it. I loved seeing Elio put Franky in his place. I was sick and tired of these old-school guys treating me like I was a delicate flower who would easily be crushed. Or worse, they treated me like I was genuinely too stupid to be a part of things.
I didn’t know how it was possible that these men had been raised by women and yet still have such archaic beliefs about our capabilities. I understood the protective desire to keep me safe, but Franky wasn’t just worried about my safety. He clearly had some other issues with me being here, and it was infuriating.
