“Marrying into Victor’s family will solidify me as the rightful heir to the Rossi empire. And having an heir of my own will ensure it even more.”
Bianca’s face fell as she digested my words. Anger marred her features as she lowered her hands to her sides and clenched them in tight fists.
“You listen to me, and listen well,” she said, her cheeks red with anger as she spoke through clenched teeth. “You willnevermarry Alexis. She’s twenty years younger than you, for god’s sake! I’ll never let you touch her!”
My eyes grew wide at her words. Inching closer, I tilted my head to stare fully into her deep eyes, swirling with emotion.
“My dear, there seems to be a misunderstanding.” Tentatively placing my hands on her shoulders, I squeezed, urging her to look into my soul. “I have no desire to marry Alexis. I’m going to marryyou, and you’re going to give me an heir.”
Chapter 10
Bianca
“I’m going to marry you...”
The words hung in the air, stilted and thick, as I stood frozen trying to digest them. I blinked several times, wondering if I was stuck in some weird dream that I would soon wake up from. What in the hell was happening?
“I can see you’re in shock,” Michael said, gently squeezing my shoulders before letting go. “I fear that I’m very bad at proposing to you, stella. I botched it quite terribly once before, and don’t seem to be doing a stellar job at this attempt either.”
I shook my head rapidly several times, trying to clear the cobwebs. “Let me see if I have this straight... You’re going to marry me andI’llgive you an heir?”
“Yes,” he said, nodding in that arrogant way that should’ve been off-putting, but instead, made me shiver with lust. Returning to his desk, he balanced on the edge and absently kicked his leg as he studied me.
“Michael,” I said, closing my eyes as I tried to make sense of the strange parallel reality I’d entered. Lifting my lids, I spoke as if he were daft. “I’m forty-two years old. The chances of me giving you a son are very low.”
“My cousin Martha had twins when she was forty-seven,” he said with a dismissive shrug. “And Aunt Sheila just had a baby at forty-five.”
“Well, that’s just great for Martha and Sheila, but I’m not exactly in my prime child-bearing years.”
“We’ll try and hope that it happens,” he said, his nonchalant tone driving me mad. “Even if you don’t conceive, marrying Victor’s widow will send a powerful message to those who remain loyal to him. It’s a message I intend to send quickly, so I’d urge you to get used to the idea, Bianca.”
I sputtered, wondering how in the hell I’d gone from finally tasting freedom to ending up on the other side of yet another man who demanded I marry him to solidify power.
“Absolutely not. I’m done being married. To anyone, least of allyou.”
His expression fell slightly, and I had the insane urge to reach for him. Had I hurt his feelings? Impossible. Michael Caruso had shown me with his desertion years ago that he had no feelings toward me.
“You once considered the idea, so I thought perhaps you’d be open now.” He traced his finger on the desk as he contemplated. “I don’t wish to force you into a marriage you don’t want, but we have little choice. Alexis needs protection, and so do you.”
He lifted his eyes to mine, and the seriousness of his gaze drilled directly into my soul. “They’re going to kill your daughter, Bianca. I need to solidify power by marrying you, and I need to put her in a safehouse while the pieces coalesce around me.” He gestured with his head toward the door. “Nick will protect her in the safehouse. They should only have to stay a few months. In the meantime, we’ll marry quickly and spread the word that all remaining Rossi loyalists must pledge their allegiance to me. Anyone who remains loyal to Victor will be eliminated.”
“A few months?” I exclaimed. “She’s just starting her life! She wants to get a job and find a place in the city—”
“They’ve most likely already put a hit out on her,” he said, rising and striding toward me. “The hit will infiltrate through the families over the next few days, and she’ll be in immensedanger. Let me protect her.” He gently gripped my upper arms and squeezed. “Let me protectbothof you.”
My nostrils flared as I gazed into his eyes. “I learned to protect myself a long time ago.”
His long, slow exhale surrounded us, filled with sadness and regret. “I know. I let you down terribly. But we’re on a different path now, and you’re smart enough to know this is your best option.”
“I’ll have her erase the flash drive—”
“It won’t matter, Bianca. She’s already seen the schedule of Victor’s shipments. The info is in her head now, and that puts a target on her back.”
I lifted my chin. “And I assume you want that info too? So you can work with Leo to bust up what remains of Victor’s sex trafficking ring.”
I could see the confirmation in his dark eyes. “Yes. I want Alexis to give me the info so I can eradicate Victor’s human trafficking ring once and for all.”
“She encrypted the flash drive,” I said, shaking my head. “She’s stubborn, and I can’t promise she’ll turn the information over to anyone.”
