The line cuts before I can respond.
The driveto his office is long enough to think…which is the last thing I should be doing.
The rain’s light, just a mist brushing the windshield. The air smells like pine and old roads.
I shouldn’t care about what to say. I’ve stared down men with guns in their hands and no fear in their eyes. But the thought of facing Emiliano with what I’m about to ask…it makes my chest tighten in a way I don’t like.
When I pull up to one of the many Folonari offices, guards are already waiting. They don’t bother searching me. They know I don’t come uninvited unless it’s worth something.
Emiliano’s sitting behind his desk, same as always: crisp suit, tie immaculate, posture perfect. The man’s a fucking statue. He doesn’t bother standing when I walk in.
“Esposito,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve been wondering for the past twenty-four hours what you could possibly want.”
“Come up with anything?”
He arches a brow. “Not a fucking thing.”
“I’m here for a deal.”
He studies me, amusement flickering behind his eyes. “I thought we already had one.”
“This one’s different.”
“Different how?”
I meet his gaze. “I want to marry your sister.”
The room goes still. For a moment, Emiliano doesn’t move. Doesn’t breathe.
Then he laughs—quiet, disbelieving. “You must be joking.”
“I’m not.”
His laughter fades as quickly as it came. “You’ve lost your mind if you think I’ll give you my sister.”
“Probably.”
He stands, slow and deliberate. “And why do you think I will give my sister to an old fucker like you?—”
“I’m not asking for your permission,” I interrupt, though my tone’s low, measured. “I’m asking for your agreement.”
“There’s a difference?”
“Yes.” I pause. “You and I both know the marriage with the Europeans won’t protect her.”
That gets his attention. His jaw tightens. “And you think you can?”
“If I couldn’t, you wouldn’t have sent her away with me.”
He studies me for a long time. “And you think marrying her will offer her more protection?”
“It’ll protect her better than our original agreement.”
He shakes his head. “You don’t protect people, Esposito. You use them.”
The words hit harder than I expect.
I take a breath. “Not her.”
