“I hoped to get Beppe away if I could.” She’s also correct. My primary goal was to protect the Trio and kill the fucking rat in our midst since the goddamn Irish had failed to do so. “You think I’ve come here to kill you because you admitted you want to go to college and live outside our rules?”
“I…” Her pert mouth closes as she studies me, some internal battle raging behind those narrowed eyes. “Yes, that’s why. I haven’t done anything else, have I? Though I suppose I’m not important enough for you to do it yourself.”
This girl, why does her babbling enchant me so? “You are important, important to me.”
“I don’t want to be important to you. Ihateyou. You broke Sofia’s heart,” she whispers, harshly.
I should be put off by the mention of my fiancée, her cousin, but I can't resist reaching out, the back of my hand gently stroking her soft cheek. Some mad sense of triumph sings in my blood because she isn’t flinching away from my touch. My confidence that I’ll get my way grows. She shudders when my thumb sweeps across her plump bottom lip, sending a current of desire straight to my cock. “You don’t react to my touch like a woman who hates me.”
“Because betrayal runs in my blood.”
I take another step closer on the gravel path. She doesn’t step back. She smells delicious, so sweet with those big blue eyes blinking up at me. “No, you are innocent, Francesca, and no man or woman will dare offend you ever again once you’re under my protection.”
“Your protection?” she repeats, her red eyebrows drawing together, questioningly.
I’m not a man for beating around the bush. She will be free of Enzo’s house, the Las Vegas Trio and their judgment. She’ll have her own apartment in New York, a driver and servants, the very best, and her mother is welcome to join her… though perhaps in her own set of rooms. Every opportunity to pursue college and the stage will be hers, no expenses spared.
“All I want from you in return…”
“Is me in your bed?”
“Yes, you in my bed,” I murmur, barely able to contain how much the thought excites me.
“Why, you spoiled-rotten, arrogant,princeling asshole!”she screams, slapping me hard across the face.
I can’t believe I didn’t see it coming. And princeling? What the fuck?
“That is the second time you’ve taken me by surprise today,” I admit, tasting the metallic flavor of blood in my mouth as she winces and cradles her palm. “Does it sting?” I think she means to murder me with her glare. “I thought my offer might be acceptable while giving you what you want.”
“You thought I’d be pleased to be your whore?”
“No one will ever call you that.”Or they won't live to repeat it.
“How could you believe for one instant I’d betray Sofia that way? I love her. And I hate you all the more now.”
Biting back my irritation, I clip, “Sofia no longer wishes to marry me.”
“Because you cheated on her!”
“We’re not married yet.”
“Do you really think that justifies anything? What if you’d caught Sofia with a man that way?”
Fuck, she has me there. I’d murder any man who touched what was technically mine. “Look, what I did was dishonorable but-”
“Yes, it was. You disgust me. Call off the wedding since Sofia can't.”
I pause, considering. Can I go that far? It would bring disgrace to my family and mean war. Many of our soldiers would die for our cause, all because I'm obsessed with this woman. It would negatively (and unfairly) reflect on both Sofia and Francesca, too.
Dismissing the notion, I choose to dangle the carrot again. "I’m offering you the life you want on a silver platter. This will ensure your safety in my city while you chase your dreams. Think of your mother. She must grow tired of-”
“Don’t you dare use my mother to get your way! The answer is no.”
“What might change it to yes? Be reasonable.”
“Reasonable? Do you even hear yourself?" I do and reasonable is the last thing I’m being. Why am I so obsessed with having this woman? Why did I think she’d accept my offer? She has her pride, she loves her cousin, and I’ve clearly offended her deeply. "I’m sure no woman has ever told you no before, but there’s a first time for everything. You willneverhave me in your bed! Not EVER!”
I watch her storm away, furious and lovely, and realize I’ve completely fucked it up. I should let her go, fly to Las Vegas, make amends with Sofia and forget this madness, once and for all.
