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‘We will not live on Cala Verde, but in a townhouse in New York, on Fifth Avenue, as I have chosen to head up Rocco’s property portfolio there.’

‘OK, that sounds cool,’ I said, excited not just at the prospect of living in the City That Never Sleeps but also pleased he had taken my demand seriously.

He shrugged, but the movement didn’t seem that casual and there was a definite edge to his voice when he continued. ‘To combine Malvini with Rocco, I wish to learn how to operate the legal businesses Vito has developed to shield and diversify the organisation. Vito tells me this means I must learn how to negotiate as well as to demand. To coax as well as to command… Apparently.’

I heard it then, the hint of annoyance, maybe even chagrin, and realised that I wasn’t the only one who was going to have to learn new skills if this merger, as well as our marriage, was going to be a success. The thought that Dante’s life too was going to be changing, that the new role he was taking on was going to be as tough for him as it would be for me, felt reassuring as well as invigorating.

‘According to my brother, I will need someone who can…’ he paused, looking even more uncomfortable ‘…smooth over my rough edges. You will be an asset in this endeavour as you are so good-natured. And you like to talk so much.’

I huffed out a laugh. While I wasn’t sure he’d meant it as a compliment, it felt like one, because it showed he understood me much more than I’d realised.

‘You want me to be your society hostess?’ I asked, my enthusiasm and excitement rising. As much as I wanted to be able to continue my relationship with Dante, it would be so much better to have a legitimate role in his life. He had treated me like a trophy once already, and I didn’t like it.

He nodded, watching my reaction. ‘I have never lived inside the law, but I wish to grow our legitimate businesses, which will require social graces I do not possess… Or want.’

So he would need me, and we would be equals. If I agreed to marry him.

I grinned, elated. A partnership as well as a marriage would give us a chance to grow too, wouldn’t it. And help me to get to know him, to understand him.

And Manhattan! I’d never been to New York, but I’d always wanted to visit. And there would be so much more to do there than here. I couldn’t wait to represent Dante, as his wife, especially in the legal side of their operation. And Dante wasn’t wrong, I’d always been a social animal, which was why my confinement on Cala Verde had been so tough.

‘I’d like that. And I think I’d be good at it,’ I said, unable to stop my excitement bubbling over now.

Dante’s gaze darkened again. ‘Your answer is yes, then?’

Before I could reply, Vito interrupted us both.

‘Evie cannot give you an answer yet, until she has discussed this with Mia. Because without my wife’s consent, this marriage will not happen.’

I swallowed down the prickle of irritation at Vito’s intervention, annoyed the decision wasn’t entirely mine, given that this was my life. But as Dante’s impatient frown deepened, I could see the advantages of making him wait.

Dante had spent the last week getting everything his own way where I was concerned. And he needed to realise I wasn’t his prisoner any more. That I had choices now, too.

‘I have agreed that you and Dante will have a wedding on Isla Donna in three weeks’ time, if you are willing, and Mia agrees,’ Vito continued. He lifted my fingers to his lips and kissed the knuckles. ‘You can use this time to make a final decision.’

Three whole weeks? I bit into my bottom lip to stop myself from pouting. Knowing I would miss Dante, so much.

But then Dante said, ‘There is no point in waiting if Evie has already agreed. And it is not your wife who makes this decision but her.’

‘Except I haven’t agreed yet,’ I pointed out, wanting to break the latest stare-off between the two brothers. But also determined to play at least a little bit hard to get!

I could see that Dante didn’t much like me defying him, as the muscle in his jaw tensed, but I could also see the flicker of respect in his eyes.

Vito only laughed. ‘There is much business still to discuss and agree on. And if Mia gives her consent to the marriage, she will want to plan a wedding.’ He lowered his voice, his amusement disappearing. ‘And after kidnapping Evie and then seducing her, it will do you no harm to wait for her decision, Dante.’

‘Exactly,’ I murmured, determined not to feel deflated at the thought of spending weeks without him.

Dante did not reply, but the muscle in his cheek clenched so hard it was clear he was not pleased by this outcome.

Tough.

‘Bene,’ Vito said as he folded my arm over his. ‘Evie will inform you of her decision in due course, but now we must leave.’

So soon. I nodded, struggling not to let my disappointment show. Vito was right, I needed to be one hundred percent sure I was happy to take this leap. Even if my heart was already yelling at me to jump.

Dante made no move towards me and remained silent, but his gaze remained fixed on my face, while the fierce sense of our unspoken bond made my heart pound in harsh heavy thuds.

As Vito and I climbed into his helicopter to return to Isla Donna, I could feel Dante’s gaze on me still. He stood on the villa’s terrace, shielding his eyes against the setting sun. The low yearning—that sense of connection, of hope and possibility for the future, the realisation that he wanted me that much—made my heart thunder louder than the helicopter blades as the aircraft lifted into the dusk.