“Solid point. I’m starting to learn that.” I force myself to meet his gaze. “I want to keep my apartment.”
He stops moving and frowns slightly. “You do?”
“Not necessarily for me, but maybe sometimes I’d stay here? Mostly for Gem though. We’ll live here, but what if, I don’t know, we need that other place?”
“I can’t imagine what for.”
“I know, I know, but let’s say it’s like a safety thing.”
He nods once. “That apartment is yours.”
“Wait. Seriously?”
“I mean that literally. I’ll have the deed drawn up. You can keep it, sell it, whatever you decide. Gift it to Gem when she graduates from Harvard or Yale.”
I wrinkle my nose. “If she’s going Ivy, it better be Penn.”
“Even better.”
“Why are you doing this? I thought you were going to be angry.”
He steps closer and drops down to his knees. I pull back in alarm, but he takes my hand between his and holds it tightly ashe gives me this intense stare. It makes me shiver with fright and sends a buzz of desire into my core. This man’s good at scaring the crap out of me and also turning me on. It’s confusing.
“The apartment means nothing to me. If having that place makes you feel safe, then you can keep it. None of that matters.”
“Then what does matter?”
His jaw works. “In a few days, you’re going to meet my family.”
“Oh. Your family? I didn’t think you had siblings?”
He shakes his head. “I’m talking about myfamiglia, my organization. They want to speak with the woman who will marry their Don.”
“Wait. Hold on a second.” I pull my hand away and abruptly stand up. I move away from him as he stands too. I back away toward the window. “Did you just saydon, as in, like, the head of the mafia?”
“That’s right.”
“I thought that was just crap you see in movies.”
“It’s very real.”
“And that’s you… which will make me…” I shiver and hug myself. “I’m not sure how I feel about this.”
“None of it matters. The council will accept you whether they like it or not. When that happens, I will ascend and take what’s rightfully mine. All you have to do is play the part.”
“Happy, blushing bride?”
“No, wife. I don’t need you happy or blushing.” He looms near me like a beast. I’m very aware of his size. “I need you obedient.”
My mouth opens. Anger flares. Sometimes this guy can be such a bastard. I forget, but he inevitably reminds me. “What the hell does that mean?”
“The men in my family are old school. They like their women meek and submissive. I understand that isn’t you, but you will play the part anyway. Head down, hands clasped, speak only when spoken to. If they insult you, let it slide. If they ignore you, feel blessed. These are dangerous men.”
“What the hell did you get me into, Stellan?”
“You’ll survive. I didn’t choose you for no reason. You’re strong. That’s good.”
“What happened to meek?”
