“Is that so?”
Sophia’s eyes widen, and I chuckle softly. “He took some persuading, but here we are now.”
“Why did you ask him? Was it because of your predicament and you felt safer with him than a stranger?”
Sophia leans forward, an interested gleam in her eyes. “You see, Rose, sometimes the best port in a storm is a familiar one. What happens when the storm passes though? Will you decide to move on, or set up home here because you have the choice, always remember that?”
“For fuck’s sake, mom,” Julius growls, obviously irritated by the line of questioning, and Sophia holds up her hand and frowns.
“Rose is not a prisoner, Julius. I’m asking and telling you at the same time. If Rose wants you and not just the safe haven you are offering, I will be overwhelmed with happiness. If it is a marriage of convenience, she has the option to rethink her decision at a later date because there won’t be a woman under our roof who isn’t here willingly, and I will not move on that.”
My heart warms toward Sophia because she is a formidable woman, and I love how she challenges Julius. If anything, it welcomes me far more than polite conversation because Sophia isn’t afraid to get straight to the point, and I admire the quality.
“I’m happy, Sophia.” I nod toward her son. “Julius is a credit to you and I have no reason to regret my choice.”
“Your choice.” She appears to breathe a little easier. “I’m happy to hear it, Rose, because it willalwaysbe your choice, and never forget that.”
She turns to her son, and the happiness in her expression reassures me as she nods her approval.
“The same applies to you, Julius. Do not marry out of duty because that is not a marriage, it’s a business arrangement, and I always wanted better for you. For all of you, and yet I’m happy you are both doing this for the right reasons, which brings me to why I am here now.”
With a sigh, she collects the empty mugs and places them in the dishwasher.
“Morgan Sorcusi.”
My heart drops along with my smile, and she sighs.
“I’ve heard many things about that woman, and none of them are good. She has requested a meeting. I wonder why?”
Her gaze falls on me, and I note the anxiety in her expression. “I’m guessing it’s to do with the inheritance. She will be worried if you meet the terms of it and will probably do everything she can to prevent that from happening.”
Julius interrupts, “It has happened. Rose is now my wife and probably already pregnant.”
Sophia chuckles. “So confident, son. You always have been I suppose, but Nature sometimes plays by her own rules.”
She grins. “Mind you, I hope you are right because a child’s chatter is long overdue in this family. If you are expecting a baby, nobody will be happier than me, but Morgan is an evil woman, and I wouldn’t put anything past her. She is desperate, which makes a person stronger. She has everything to lose and will do anything to prevent it from happening. Have you planned for that?”
“Of course.”
“And you, Rose.” Her gaze falls on me. “Julius can protect you physically, and I have no doubt he will, but mentally is under your control. Are you strong enough to face her? Just say if you’re not and we’ll call the whole thing off? You have the choice of whether you go or not.”
I’m touched by her concern and realize the strength of the woman commanding this room, and I inject steel into my voice because I will not be the weak link in this family chain.
“I’m ready to face her and deal with the consequences of that. She can’t hurt me anymore.”
“Brave words but ill-judged.” Sophia smiles to take the edge off her words.
“Women like Morgan wield many knives, and sometimes you don’t see them coming before they stab you in the soul. Be aware and also be assured that you are not on your own. You may be used to having your sisters beside you, but for now they have been replaced by two people who know how women like Morgan operate. Use us as your shield and know we are guarding your back.”
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
Julius cuts in.
“We should leave and get this over with.”
He reaches for my hand. “Shall we head to lunch with my mother, Rose? I don’t know about you, but I have worked up quite an appetite.”
His eyes gleam, and the darkness in them excites me. I am hitched to a demon, and I look on that as God’s gift to me, not a punishment. Sometimes in life it’s better to be with the devil when you are surrounded by demons, and I have no doubt at all that Julius Ravera lives up to that description perfectly.
