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“Well, I honestly don’t know what to do or say. I can’t let the clans get even more chaotic because I won’t even consider this. I’m not ready to just accept some proposal from a man I don’t know, but I should do something. What do you think?” I asked, knowing I would probably regret it.
Ion cracked up, laughing loudly. “Are you seriously asking for my opinion. You haven’t listened to a damn word I have said since I rescued you. I would love for you to do as I say, but I don’t see it happening any time soon,” he teased, making me cross my arms over my chest in annoyance. I wasn’t beyond slapping him, but I knew that I wouldn’t as soon as I saw Bianca come skipping into the room. There wasn’t going to be any violence in front of her anymore, not even harmless stuff.
“Look, go ahead and go out with some of them. That is fine. Keep the peace. You will not choose any of them over me, I can guarantee it.” Ion was being a cocky ass, and I was ready to call a clan leader up for a date immediately just to piss him off.
“If you need me, I will be in your office, setting up dates,” I said in a huff, leaving the room dramatically. The truth was, I kind of regretted agreeing to do it as I began going through the files on the clan leaders. Many of them were older men who I would want nothing to do with romantically. The younger ones I knew little about since I had been in isolation since the age of 16, and I had never paid too much attention since I was supposed to be with Ion. But I had to try. So, I decided to go with one of the youngest, the head of the clan in the northwest United Sates; Jan Constantin. From what I can remember, Jan had an older sister, she was almost two decades older than him, and she was killed when I was a child. The power of Clan Constantin would’ve been transferred over to her husband, but she did not have one, so at the young age of thirteen Jan held all of the power in Clan Constantin.
I picked up the phone and dialed nervously, not sure how to approach this. I was surprised when Jan himself answered the phone rather than some servant or one of his clan members. “Jan Constantin,” he said. I could hear a bit of cockiness in his voice just as he spoke his name. It wasn’t like Ion, though. It was cheesy, like the kind you got from a high school football player. Then again, he was only a few years older than Ion.
“This is Mariana Vasile,” I said.
“Mariana? Wow, it is great to hear from you. I had hoped we would see you at the last meeting, but Ion let us know you were still in recovery from being shot. I am so sorry for what has happened to you. How can I help you today?” he asked, sounding more like a car salesman than the head of a mob clan. But somehow, it made me smile. He was laid back. He seemed normal.
“I know that the clans have been questioning if Ion should still be engaged to me or if that is invalid since my parents are gone. I wanted to let you know that I have decided to consider dating some of the other clan leaders and then make an appropriate decision,” I said, trying to be diplomatic about it all.
“So, basically, you are asking me on a date?” he asked, making me crack up. I just couldn’t avoid the reaction anymore. He was a character.
“Yes, I guess I am,” I confessed, skipping the pretense.
“I wholeheartedly accept Mariana Vasile. I will fly out to New York in a few days,” he said before hanging up. I shook my head, unsure of what this would mean for me. I never had any inclination to date or do any of the normal things young women did. That was stripped from me, even more, when my innocence was stolen by Jonas. But now it was like getting a second chance, and even if Ion won in the end, at least I would feel like I had a say. I would feel like some part of this was my decision, not a decision that was made for me.
Coming off the high of the conversation with Jan, I thought to the letter I had received and knew that Phillipe also deserved to hear from me. He had sounded so courteous and kind in the letter, and I wanted to know if that was real or not. So, I picked up the phone once again, dialing out of the country. This time, I had to go through more than one secretary to reach Phillipe himself, but the mention of my name certainly got him on the line quick.
“Mariana, it is such a pleasure to hear from you,” he said in his thick accent. It went right along with what I had read in the letter. I could hear him reading it in my head. “Have you received my letter?” he asked kindly, wanting an answer.
“I did, and I thank you for it. I wanted to let you know that while I am not immediately accepting your proposal, I am taking into consideration the possibility of choosing another clan leader as my husband. I want to make sure whoever takes over is strong and right for my daughter and I, especially after what I have been through.” I said, hoping he wouldn’t be offended. He was obviously a powerful man, and I wasn’t looking to offend him.
“I can fully respect that Miss Vasile. I am so glad that you have thought to contact me and let me know what is on your mind. I would be happy to take you out on some wonderful dates. I have a private jet and can easily get to you or bring you to me. When would you like to see me?” I was caught off guard by the question. I didn’t expect to be given so much control by these men.
“As soon as you can get here.”
Chapter 12
Mariana
Things had been tense since I had asked two of the other clan members out on dates. As Jan walked me to the door, I was curious as to what would be waiting for me when I got inside. Ion had been kind enough to watch Bianca while I was on the date, but I also thought there was a ploy there. He was trying to make himself look good.
Jan stood over me, his muscular arm practically trapping me below it against the door. I knew this was the last time I was going to see this guy in any romantic way. He was too much of a meat head, but at least the date had been amusing. I also wasn’t about to let on to Ion that the date had failed. He wasn’t winning that easily. I just couldn’t stand the idea of giving in when he was so damn cocky.
Jan was leaning in as if he might kiss me. I wondered if I should let it happen. I didn’t get the chance to decide as the door flew open, making me fall backwards. I had to be caught and put upright again by Ion, who I shot an annoyed glance at. He had to have been watching us through the peep hole. It was a little childish in my opinion.
“Thank you for bringing her home, Jan,” Ion said, trying to dismiss him quickly. I shook my head at Ion, and it made a smirk broaden across Jan’s face.
“No problem, Ion. I suppose I will will see the both of you soon,” Jan said, reaching out his hand to shake Ion’s. Ion did shake his hand, but I could tell the grip was a bit much by the way Jan’s face screwed up into a scowl. Finally, Ion slammed the door on him.
“You will not be seeing either of us soon,” Ion stated with confidence. I wanted so badly to refute him and make him angry, but he could probably tell Jan and I did not hit it off. I tried to go for silence, staring at Ion in some strange competition. He wasn’t buying it. “Don’t even try to tell me you have anything going with that man if you can call him that.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes at Ion. “Fine, but you will see Phillipe again. He is going to take me on a second date in a few days,” I bragged, trying to hit him where it hurt. A second date was probably a big deal to Ion. It meant there was something there. I had been surprised by it, but the way Phillipe was so polite and attentive, and the way he wined and dined me, was incredibly charming. He was a hard man to resist, regardless of his age. And he wasn’t so bad looking. He just didn’t have the hint of darkness Ion did. He didn’t make me feel pressured at all, and for someone who had been through what I had, it meant a lot.
“We will see about that,” Ion told me as if it were some kind of threat. I was ready to change the subject.
“How is Bianca?” I asked, anxious to know how they got along.
“Bianca is fine. She is upstairs, getting dressed for bed. She had dinner already, and we had a good time. Though, she missed you.” Any other time I would have melted at that statement, but I knew coming for Ion it was a complete manipulation.
“Thank you,” I said, trying to avoid eye contact or any more conversation. I could feel myself being sucked in little by little, and I hated it. I headed to Bianca’s room to check in on her, but I could feel his eyes on me the whole time, watching the movement of my body.
“I expect you in our bedroom when you’re done attending to Puff,” Ion said, I turned back to him, staring right into his dark eyes. He hadn’t made me share the bed with him since I came here, though I should have expected it sooner or later.
