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“Not in the least. However, Dante will never be allowed to take you from me. You’ve always belonged in my bed and in my life.”
“Don’t. I don’t belong to you. I’m not sure I ever did. Even if you really do care about me, I wouldn’t dare put you in harm’s way.”
“You underestimate me, little dove.” She needed more from me.
“It doesn’t matter, Francesco. There is a contract requiring me to marry Dante, but it’s not legal. I know that because I will be an attorney one day.”
I couldn’t help the smile crossing my face. “An attorney. How amazing.”
“For the right side of the law.”
Sighing, I scrubbed my jaw before dropping my head. “I’m not a good man, Christiana. I never said I was three years ago, but through the requirements of my godfather, most of our businesses are legitimate. We give to charities and families in need.”
“And you come to church praying for absolution?”
There was such sadness in her tone, the life sucked out of her the last few days.
“Dominick and I grew up together.”
“Oh.” She smiled, even giving the man another look. “He’s been very supportive. He offered to allow me to stay here. I can’t. I know what could happen.”
“You need to listen to me, my little dove. You do belong to me. You have since that night. I was a goddamn fool to allow you to walk away. That’s not happening again. But you will need to trust me. Do you think you can do that?”
She shook her head and looked away. “I want to, Francesco. But so much has occurred. We’re not the same people any longer. Plus, there’s too much at stake right now.”
“What are you talking about? Tell me what your father is holding over your head and I’ll fix it.” I meant what I said.
She let off an agonizing moan, the sound ungodly, shattering my last attempt at keeping my resolves around her. I moved closer, pulling her into my arms. At first, she tensed. Then she allowed me to hold her close, taking gasping breaths. “I can’t, Francesco. Just let me go.”
“Not this time.”
When she jerked into a standing position, I immediately did the same until she threw out her hand, this time the fire in her eyes also holding absolute terror. “No!”
“Talk to me, baby. What hold does your father have over you?”
“I can’t. I just can’t.” Her sobs were gut-wrenching.
I gave Dominick a quick look and his eyes were open wide. He lifted his gaze, shaking his head. She’d told him whatever shit her father had threatened her with. I knew it in my gut.
“We can’t go back, Francesco. I know how these games work. I know what will happen if I don’t marry that man. He’ll kill my father. As much as I hate the man, I don’t want him dead. I can’t have that on my conscience.”
Why did I have the distinct feeling she was holding something back? Whatever the wretched secret was, she was willing to go through with the ceremony in order to protect it.
“That’s not it. You and I both know it. Tell me the truth!” The tone was far more demanding than I’d intended. That forced her to scuttle backwards, almost tripping.
“Stop, Francesco. I love you but we can’t do this. I’m sorry. Just forget you know me. I just… No. No!”
Was she out of her mind? How could she ever think I’d forget or leave her alone for that matter? The possessive side of me had already breached the surface. All the planning and politics meant nothing if I couldn’t be with her.
“I am going to make certain you don’t marry that pig. You belong to me and you will always.” Repeating myself was only shaking her even more.
She backed away, glancing toward Dominick as he shook his head. The slowing of time allowed me to see the horror of the bruise on her cheek more clearly, rage bursting to the surface. “I will kill the motherfucker who hurt you. I will break Dante and his entire family.”
“You can’t do that, Fran.” Dominick attempted to move in front of me but I pushed him aside.
“Like hell I can’t. No one touches what belongs to me.”
“I don’t belong to you, Francesco. You made that perfectly clear three years ago. What we shared means nothing.” The defiance in her tone was entirely different. She was trying to push me away on purpose. What had the motherfuckers done to her? What?
