Page 24 of In the Dark

I didn’t know what to think or feel. The only thing I knew for sure was that I would be able to handle whatever he threw at me in a way that Maribel never would have been able to. She was my little cousin, the one I’d sat up late at night with reading children’s books and sneaking ice cream. The one who cried to me after her first heartbreak.

I could do this. Not her.

I could gather intel for the family, too, and plan to turn on the Diamonds later, making sure they weren’t destroying our businesses if they were going to force us to partner with them.

Even still, as the rain pelted our SUV, my throat tightened at the thought of being a prisoner to him.

It was clear my dead uncle was still as selfish as ever. He wasn’t throwing me a bone from heaven. Probably because he was in hell.

I was sitting with the enemy, naked and vulnerable.

It wasn’t enough that I’d almost drowned.

Then almost froze to death.

Then had to sit in a car with the man who’d reluctantly saved my life because his ass wouldn’t die when I needed him to.

Now, I’d have to marry him and have his kid. My life would revolve around the Diamonds who I loathed only to stave off Paolo’s other enemies.

When we turned down the wrong street, I sat up straighter. “You’re going the wrong way.”

“No. I’m going to inform your family of how you said yes to my proposal.”

“Callahan, not before the funeral—”

“Jasmina, do you not want to marry me?” He said it like I should feel bad for him.

Anger bubbled up inside me. “That’s not what I said.”

“Good. Then you’ll be happy to inform your family with me right away.”

God, I wanted to curse him out. I had to literally bite my lips together to stop myself.

We sat in silence until we pulled up to my uncle and aunt’s home. It seemed Callahan had access because five of our men waved his SUV through. No one came up to the car or tried to look through the tinted windows. And I only saw one man radio a message out.

It was clear Monte had started working closely with the Diamonds already if they’d allow Callahan’s car to pass.

And I thought of my cousins inside, of everyone. Of how they probably didn’t know I was sitting in the car with the enemy.

We were all supposed to go to the funeral together, but now they’d get a show from me too.

I didn’t answer him. I yanked on the handle as the car crawled to a stop.

He didn’t move to unlock the door for me. “They all in there?”

“Enough of them.”

He stared at the house for a second longer. It was a modest home. My aunt and uncle never were extravagant like Paolo, and I think I enjoyed the way they kept their lives small. Except now, I wondered if Callahan was judging us somehow.

I growled, “Don’t make a scene.” The longer we sat there, the more suspicious my family would become. “Unlock the door.”

He didn’t move at first, just stared at me like he was trying to figure out how our relationship would go before he reached for a duffel bag on the floor. He pulled out a fresh black shirt and slacks. He was completely unbothered with my eyes on him.

My breath hitched when he moved the blanket from his waist and moved the slacks up his legs.

Why did I have to check that he was still pierced? I was such a whore for him, and I hated it.

“Miss him?” Callahan asked as he caught me staring. I jerked my eyes up.