“Right.” He rubs his hand along the back of his neck. “Don’t let people into my house. Even if they say they’re my friend. If anyone comes by, just don’t answer.”
“Ok,” I whisper. “Leo… what did she mean by me being one of your girls?”
“You heard that?”
I can only shrug.
“That doesn’t matter. It’s all in the past. And… you’re not one of my girls. You’re… different.”
“Different how?”
“I can’t explain it. I have more work to do.” He turns away from me but I have one more thing to ask.
“Do I stink? I know my old clothes still smell like manure. I’m sorry for that.”
He gazes at me almost with sadness. “You really are innocent, aren’t you? I am sorry for that, Emma.”
I frown. What does he mean by that? But Leo walks away before I can ask him, leaving me even more confused.
Leo
Isabella saw Emma. That’s a problem. The more people who know Emma is here, the more dangerous this situation becomes. Alessandro and Gabriel don’t know I currently have Emma but it won’t be for long before they all find out.
I want Alessandro to know so I can hurt him. So he doesn’t think he can just come here and start a war.
But if Gabriel finds out, he might take Emma away from me and I don’t want to lose her.
She’s sweet and innocent, even if it’s all an act. I’m still not sure on that. All I know is that I want to keep looking at her pretty eyes.
I have to do something drastic to make sure Emma isn’t taken from me.
An idea hits me. There is one thing in the mafia that bounds two people together forever. A marriage.
If I married Emma, then she would have to stay here forever and I could use her against Alessandro. And when Alessandro is taken care of, I’ll… what? Let Emma go? Kill her? I have no fucking idea.
I can’t be soft when it comes to her. The only thing I can do is make her my prisoner forever and what better way than a marriage? I have to be cruel to her. I have to get her to break andsee if she has any information on Alessandro I can use to hurt him.
I can’t care for her but I also can’t risk losing her.
Gabriel would need to approve of this marriage being the boss. But he can’t know who Emma truly is. Not yet.
I rush out of the house, leaving Emma alone once again, and go to Gabriel’s home. He doesn’t like it when people just show up at his gothic style mansion but I’m his right hand man. He’ll make an exception for me.
I’m let in and led to his office. Gabriel sits behind his desk like a king on his throne. “What did you want, Leo? It’s getting late. I have to finish this work so I can spend time with my wife.”
“I want to get married,” I blurt out.
He stares at me for a long moment before scoffing. “You? Get married? You don’t want to be tied down. You love fucking any woman that comes your way.”
“I… met this woman. A while ago. I’ve kept it to myself because it’s special. But I want to marry her. I am going to marry her but I would like your permission first. It’s not for political gain.” An utter lie. It’s all for politics but Gabriel doesn’t need to know just yet. After I’m married to Emma and we use her against Alessandro, Gabriel won’t care as long as his wife is safe.
“You really met a woman you want to marry?”
“Yes.”
Gabriel frowns, eyeing me over. “I don’t believe you, Leo. We’ve known each other for years now. You’re lying to me. What are you not saying?”
“I am going to marry this woman but it would be easier if you gave me your approval.”
