He makes me chuckle, then again he always has the ability to lift my mood, and I sigh, pulling my hand away as I reach for the coffee.
As I pour us both a mugful, I groan. “I wonder what she wants.”
“We don’t know but you would be perfectly safe and it may help us protect you and your sisters.”
“Tell me what I must do.”
I’m already resigned to that, and he nods, a thoughtful gleam sparking in his eyes.
“My mother will be with you at Morgan’s request.”
“Your mother?”
I’m shocked, and Julius smiles reassuringly. “She’s a sweetheart, but don’t be fooled by her exterior. She will be packing more than just a respectful smile that day, and if you are in any danger, she won’t hesitate to protect you both.”
“Seriously.” I gasp, and Julius throws his head back and laughs.
“I love how innocent you are, and if I had one wish, it would be that you never change; however–”
His smile dulls. “This life will corrupt your soul along with the rest of us, no matter how hard I try to shield you from that.”
“I am stronger than I look, Julius.”
My tone is fierce, and he sighs heavily, leaning back in his seat and huffs, “I don’t want you to be tough. I want to be tough for both of us and keep your soul pure to cleanse mine.”
“Idiot.”
I brush his comment aside. “Anyone would fight for those they love, and if your mother is fierce, it’s done out of love, so what’s wrong with that?”
He stares at me for the longest moment, and as our gazes collide, we reach an understanding. Julius may wish for me to be the dependent, meek woman, but if that is what he seeks, he is staring at the wrong one. I will fight for my right to freedom, and that involves making choices that affect me and the people I love. Julius may be my husband, but he is not the master of me, and he would be wise to understand that sooner rather than later.
37
JULIUS
Ilove the fire in Rose, but I wish I hadn’t started it. She is more than everything I wanted in a wife, and yet I mourn the innocent angel I first set eyes on. Her courage is building, which is a very good thing, but the selfish part of me wants to keep that innocence for as long as possible.
“Tell me what I must do.”
The determination in her voice makes me sad, but I push it away and say roughly, “I’ll arrange the lunch date. My mother will fly in from the Hamptons and will accompany you. Eddie and the rest of my men will go with you.”
“What about you?”
“Oh, didn’t I say?–”
She leans forward, and I remark casually, “Where you go, I go, and I may not have been invited, but three against one is much better odds when you are dealing with a woman like Morgan Sorcusi.”
Her eyes flash with happiness, and she leans forward and reaches for my hand. “Thank you.”
A soft smile accompanies her words, and my heartaches. “I would never place you in danger, Rose, not for all the information in the world.”
“I appreciate that, Julius, and well–” she smiles. “I’m more than happy about that.”
I nod toward the uneaten breakfast.
“Finish this while I find Eddie. We must get this moving because it may help your sisters. I’ll arrange it for today, so when you have finished, if I’m not here, head back to the room and change for lunch.”
Her face falls, causing me to respond, “What’s the matter?”
