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“I know I should say yes,” I finally answer, placing my elbows on the counter, I let my face fall in my hands. I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m not stupid. I know what you’re offering is a chance, one I don’t have, but it doesn’t make it easier. I could take the gem and run, take my family with me, and we could start over.”
“You could.”
“That sounds like you think my plan won’t work.”
“You don’t have the resources to successfully hide yourselves. I do. It wouldn’t be long before you’re taken or dead. I can offer more.” He steps forward, right in front of the counter, and I look up, hating how he seems like a savior.
I never understood the devil in disguise comment until now.
He is sin wrapped in a package promising amazing, undeniable things.
Isn’t that what sin is?
Emotions that make you feel good only for regret to follow?
“I can erase them off the planet. I can make it seem like they were never born. I can give them fake identities. They will never be able to be traced. They will be well taken care of and have the life you have been working so hard to give them. You won’t be able to be in contact with them. For safety. Eventually, when Bianchi is taken care of, but until then, you’ll have to cut ties.”
The whoosh of breath that escapes me reminds me of being hit in the stomach. I shut my eyes and try to reel in my emotions. They have been all over the place lately. I’ve been under so much stress, I’ve been so tired, crying these days comes easily, and now this.
“Even if my brother is the one that started all this, he’ll be safe, right? I don’t want any of this to fall on him.”
“It won’t. I can promise that. He didn’t kill someone.”
My stomach rolls at the harsh reminder, but Mr. Milazzo said it so easily as if this kill was nothing, meant nothing, is nothing.
“So my choices are jail, death, or being an incubator for you,” I snort at the ridiculous thought and that’s when hysteria hits. I can’t stop laughing. “Of course,” I slap my hand on the counter to try and catch my breath but the more I try the harder my stomach cramps with laughter. “I mean, why not?” tears drip from my eyes and my lungs burn because I can’t seem to catch my breath. “My fate would be held hostage by a fucking Milazzo, and if not you, Bianchi. The chances.” I tilt my head back and laugh so hard, so loud, somewhere in the back of my mind, through the thick of the fog blocking out reality is my voice of reason.
I know how ridiculous I sound right now.
“Is she okay?” the guy who looks like Mr. Milazzo asks, stepping next to his brother.
I assume they are brothers. They look identical.
“She’s working through her feelings.”
“Oh, fuck you.” I wipe under my eyes and still chuckle. “What the hell do you know about my feelings? You’re taking over my life and leaving me no options. My feelings are mine alone and you might be able to control me, but you won’t be able to control how I feel.”
“I never plan on controlling you.” His brows dip in confusion. “It’s as simple as you saying no, and I walk out that door. You’ll never see me again.”
I give him my back and bury my face in my hands, shoulders shaking when I know the choice I need to make. I have to hand myself over to him, because without him, I’m dead and so is my family. It doesn’t mean I have to like it. I think I’m so upset because so many of the things he said were right.
I do regret a lot of things and I know if I don’t take him up on his offer, I’ll regret saying no to him. I regret not doing more for myself and now, because I didn’t, my choices have led me here. He’s right and I only hate him so much more for it.
I feel him in front of me, the warmth radiating from his body, the expensive cologne that reminds me of spicy citrus invades my nose, and then there are the calloused fingertips ghosting over my cheeks to wipe my tears.
No one has ever been that gentle with me. No one has ever wanted to touch me like that, and I have never wanted them to.
“I’m a businessman and while I am offering you a deal, it doesn’t mean I will treat you as such. I’ll treat you well, Tesoro. I promise. I am not always a kind man, but I will be kind to you.”
“Yeah? How many morebusiness dealsdo you have like me? I bet you say that to all the women you keep around.”
“I don’t keep women. I have no other deals. I am not that kind of man.”
I step away from him, needing to get away from his demanding presence. It would be easier to sink into his arms and press my cheek against the strength of his chest. He is a protector, and it would be so easy for me to give in and let him shield me from all the horrible things life offers.
I’ve never been the kind of woman to depend on anyone, so depending on him is something that goes against every fiber of my being.
“What about the store? I’m assuming since my family will be under lock and key, so will I?”
