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She pressed her hands against me, darting her eyes across mine. “Just for the record, I would find a way to leave my life for you,” I told her.
Her eyes opened wide and her expression softened. “Then you’d be a fool.”
“I’ve been called much worse,” I teased. I lowered my head, nipping her earlobe several times, reveling in the way her body shuddered in my hold. As I eased away, the way she was staring at me so intently appeared as if she was looking straight through me. I’d felt like from minute one she’d been able to see through the façade.
“And I’m certain you will be again.”
“Including by you. Now, we need to deal with certain things at hand. You disobeyed me.”
“I thought you’d changed your mind when your sisters just showed up.”
“When I give you a direct order, you will follow it.”
“Says God himself.”
I forced her against me, refusing to let her go. “I have my reasons, Sarah. Don’t you see that by now?”
“What I believe is that you have no clue what’s happening around you. Nico didn’t order the beating of your sister.” As soon as she issued the words, she sucked in her breath.
“Why?”
“I can tell. Okay? She likes him.”
I narrowed my eyes, half laughing. “Yes, she does.” Was she not telling me something? At this point, I wouldn’t push her, but it could become necessary. “Just like Maria and Dillon are in love.”
She gasped, a small amount of light returning to her eyes. “You knew that?”
“I didn’t want to be involved with the family business, Sarah, but that doesn’t mean I allowed myself to have blinders on. Of course I did. He’s loved her since before he married a very nice girl after Maria left for Italy. Our father refused to allow their union.”
“That’s why she left.”
“Technically, that’s why she was banished.”
“Oh, my God,” she half whispered. “What is wrong with your father? Your mother? How could she stand for her own children being treated the way they have?”
“My mother knew exactly what she was getting into when she was required to marry him. That’s the old ways, that of my grandfather and his father before him. The truth is that my mother managed to soften Pops over the years.”
“It makes me sick to think about how he was before. I’m sorry if my words upset you. No one would ever be allowed to treat my children that way.”
“Which is another reason I adore you,” I told her.
A slight blush swept up from her jaw. “So you know, Maria hates your father for what he did and she’ll hate you if you don’t break that rule.”
I had no idea what to say to her. I’d been forced to face the fact that I’d talked a big game about altering my father’s organization. Now I was acting as if that’s the only method that could work. “In due time.”
“Well, maybe there’s a little hope for you after all. I didn’t mean to alarm you.”
“You did. You worried your babies too.”
She allowed herself to smile then glanced down at them. “Unconditional love.”
I cupped both sides of her face, bringing her closer. “I could have lost you. That ate me inside, releasing the beast that dwells inside every member of this family.”
“You didn’t lose me. I’m standing right here.”
“You don’t understand.”
“If you truly believe that then help me to understand. Not about the danger. I get that. In your world, violence can erupt at any time, which is why you always carry a weapon with you. I need to know about you. Why do you care what happens to me?”
