Page 44 of Sacred Blood

“I’m sure he wasn’t offered a choice.” A tear slipped down her cheek.

I brushed it away with my thumb.

The stubborn, fiery woman who challenged me at every turn suddenly looked heartbreakingly young.

Not weak.

Not helpless.

Just tired.

Tired of carrying burdens she was never meant to bear alone.

I’d watched her fight.

Fight her family.

Fight her fears.

Fight me.

Every instinct she possessed told her she stood alone against the world.

The realization settled heavily in my chest.

She wasn't supposed to do this alone.

Not anymore.

The decision I'd been wrestling with all week suddenly seemed absurdly simple.

I already knew what I wanted.

I already knew what I was willing to risk.

The only question left was whether Gabriella would let me stand beside her.

I tipped her chin up until her eyes met mine.

“Allegra Gabriella Calabretta, I want you as my wife.”

Her eyes held a hint of bewilderment at my words. “No.”

“Scusami? It was a rhetorical question, and the appropriate response is ‘yes.’”

She crossed her arms defensively, her lips moving into a pout, looking for a fight. So be it. I would allow it because she was hurting and needed to let off some steam. Then I’d fuck her until she was boneless and the only word on her lips was ‘yes’.

“I can’t marry you, Tano,” she argued. “For starters, we barely know each other. And two, you never would have asked if I wasn’t in trouble and I won’t marry a man just because he’s taken pity on me. And—” She pointed one finger close to my face. “—your multiple personalities give me whiplash!”

“And there's something else.”

I hesitated.

For all my bravado, these were the words that frightened me most.

“You wouldn't be asking if I wasn't in danger.”

My expression didn't change.