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“I don’t mean it like that. If your enemy wants to hurt you, they will go after her to do it.”
“You think I haven’t thought of that already?” I ask, a little pissed off.
“So, what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m not getting rid of her. I don’t care what anyone fucking says. She’s mine. I’m keeping her.”
“First off: she’s not a fucking pet dog, Theo. You don’t get to keep a woman. Sheletsyou be the one to warm her bed at night. Second: I’m not suggesting you get rid of her, quite the opposite actually. Take your vow to the family and then marry her. Show them that you’re ready to rule with the same strength your father did. Show them that you’re not someone to fuck with, Theo. That’s how you protect her.”
Marry her? Well, fuck, that’s an idea I could actually get on board with. The question is: would Holly?
“What do you know about this arranged marriage deal with Lana? What was Pops getting out of it?”
“Nothing, he was tight-lipped on that. Had a few meetings alone with Big John. I have no idea what the fuck those two were cooking up withthatplan. But whatever it was, I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.”
“And you’re suggesting I don’t follow along with my father’s orders? That I don’t marry Lana?” I’m asking to see if he slips up, to see if hedoesknow something he’s not telling me.
“No, I’madvisingyou to marry someone you love. A marriage is forever, Theo. You do not want to end up in a miserable one.”
“Okay. Any ideas on how you get a woman you’ve only known for a week to agree to marry you?” I ask, rising up to my full height.
“Not a fucking clue, but from what I saw, that girl is smitten. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
“Thanks.”
“Theo, it will all be okay. You’ll do great. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a very long time. I’m sorry your pops ain’t here to witness it, but I know you’ll do him proud.” Gabe hugs me before kissing both of my cheeks.
“Thank you.”
ChapterTwenty
“I’m really okay to wait here, T. You should go have lunch with your mother and help her. I’ll be fine.” I leave out the part that I’d much rather stay here in this library with all these books, than have to endure another run in with his mother. I get she’s grieving—she’s just lost her husband—but I haven’t done anything to warrant her instant hatred. I’ve never met a boyfriend’s parents before. This is all very uncharted territory for me, and to be meeting them under such conditions is not ideal, to say the least.
“Nonsense, you’re coming with me.”
“Your mother doesn’t want me there, Theo. It’s okay. I don’t mind waiting,” I try again.
“Holly, dolcezza.” Theo runs his fingertips over my hair, tucking the loose strands behind my ear. “I need you there. Please.”
Well, bloody hell, when he puts it like that, how can I possibly say no? “Okay, but if at any point you need me to disappear into another room and give you and your mother privacy, just tell me.”
“I don’t ever need or want privacy from you, dolcezza. If I could get away with it, I’d have you handcuffed to me so we’d never have to be apart.” Theo smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Sure, give it a go and see how far you get with that.”
“Like I said, if I could get away with it. Come on, let’s do this so we can go home.”
* * *
We’ve been waiting for Theo’s mother to come and join us for lunch for around twenty minutes. Theo’s grip on my hand under the table is tight. Every now and then, he’ll loosen it slightly for a moment before tightening his hold again. I’m not sure if he’s afraid I’ll disappear (or leave) and this is his way of ensuring I can’t. Or if he just needs the support. Either way, I’m not going anywhere. If he wants me here, then I’ll be here.
“I’m sorry, Father. She shouldn’t be too much longer,” Theo says to the priest sitting across from us. It’s a little unsettling for me. I’m not sure why. I’m not an overly religious person, so to have a priest among us is strange. I feel like I should be confessing all my sins or something. As I think of everything I’ve ever done wrong in my life, I glance at Theo and wonder what his list must look like. Yet, he sits here as cool as a cucumber—as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.
“It’s okay, Theo. We all grieve in our own way. How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine.”
“It’s okay to not be fine, son. You’ve just lost your father. You’ve had a lot of responsibility that’s just fallen directly onto your shoulders. If there was ever a time to not be fine, this would be it.”
