“I would like to have yours and no more lies.”
I searched his handsome face. Although I wanted to be myself with him, I couldn’t help being gun-shy, especially with how wishy-washy he’d been.
Could I truly trust that Raphael was being truthful and not just testing me? In the end, I decided to throw caution to the wind.
Drawing my shoulders back, I pronounced, “Fine then. I don’t want to marry you.”
To both my surprise and relief, Rafe’s lips curved into a wide grin. “Good. That makes two of us.”
His response wasn’t too surprising, considering most mafia men didn’t see marriage like women did. At the same time, it felt truly unexpected. Rafe appeared to be extending his middle finger to the traditional way men treated their future wives.
Nervously, I dragged my tongue over my lips. “Absolute honesty, right?”
“Yes.”
“I want to continue studying art. Someday I want to own my own gallery.”
When Rafe cocked his head at me in surprise, I inwardly groaned.You’re doing too much too soon, Drea! You gotta butter him up for something like that. Blow him during a workday or do butt stuff.
“Your father said you wanted to be a teacher.”
Fuck. Me.
As I frantically thought about how to reword my proclamation, Rafe chuckled. “Let me guess. You only told him you wanted to be a teacher because a woman owning her own business would be frowned upon.”
What. the. Fuck? My mouth dropped open at his comment. “How could you possibly know that?”
“Lucky guess.”
After nibbling on my bottom lip, I said, “I adore art. I always have. But for the last couple of years, I’ve really focused on acquiring and displaying collections.”
He nodded. “While I have no interest in it myself, it’s wonderful you have something you’re so passionate about.”
Was this seriously happening? I was so floored by the direction the conversation had taken that I fought the urge to pinch myself. Instead, I decided to get verbal confirmation.
Tilting my head at Rafe, I asked, “You’re really going to let me finish school and have a gallery?”
“I don’t see why not. But your most important job will be as a good mother to my children.”
Holy shit. This reallywashappening. I gave Rafe an honest smile. “What my father told you about me loving kids isn’t a lie. I really have helped raise the twins.”
“I imagined as much.”
When his expression suddenly became pained, I couldn’t help asking, “Are you all right?”
Exhaling a ragged breath, he replied, “I suppose you’ve heard the news about my sister?”
Of course, I hadn’t. “Father only tells Antonio and Aurelio things.”
“My sister was kidnapped yesterday. My father and brother are in Sicily trying to find her.”
I gasped. “I’m so very sorry.” I’d wondered what he meant when he’d commented about Leo’s behavior concerning their sister, but I knew better than to ask. Father would’ve blown a gasket that I’d dared to speak out of turn.
“I appreciate that,” Rafe said.
“I’ll light a candle for her safe return today at mass.”
“That’s very kind.”
