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I shake my head in useless denial. This man sees only one way forward. To take what he wants and keep it by whatever means necessary. He's utterly ruthless.
He wanted me locked down. So, he went for the jugular in terms of cementing our relationship.
Knocking me up. "You said you were sorry."
He nods, clearly unwilling to repeat the words.
"If you were really sorry, you would have given me a choice. You would have told me about what you are before getting me pregnant."
"You got pregnant before either of us made a conscious decision. I am not sorry I got you pregnant. I am sorry you don't want to live in my world."
"But I can't leave it."
He hands me the mug of tea. "No."
"What if I ran? I disappeared from one crime family. I can do it again." Especially without having to worry about Lenny's long term care.
"If you run, I will follow."
"To drag me back." I curl my legs up under me. "I don’t know how many men you have killed, but you've done a great job of assassinating my future."
"I won't drag you back."
I don't believe him. "What then?"
"My role as Dimios is not locked into a geographical location."
Is he saying what it sounds like? "You're saying you would chase me, to what…visit your child?"
"I am keeping you."
It's not the first time he's said it, but maybe it is the first time what he means is truly sinking in. "But what about your brothers?"
"I wouldn't be able to continue as their head enforcer."
"You would leave your family for me?" I shake my head decisively. Not possible. "I don't believe you."
"We'll work on that."
Chapter 42
LUCIA
Orion brings the contract for me to sign the next day as well as his cousin Helios to begin training as my replacement. The club isn't open on Monday, so I start Helios on learning inventory and suppliers.
Atlas isn't happy when I sign the papers, but I ignore his brooding presence.
Over the next week, teaching Helios the ropes of running Nuovi Inizi goes surprisingly smoothly. He picks things up quickly and gets along with the staff. By the end of the week, I'm convinced it won't take a full month to train him.
Atlas is always here and when he's not, one of his crew is. He doesn't bring up marriage again though.
Which does not disappoint me.
I'm not great at lying to myself and can't help wincing at that whopper. No matter how angry I am at him, how used I feel, the thought of building a life without him, or having him only on the periphery is way too depressing.
"Doesn't Atlas trust you?" I ask his cousin.
Helios shrugs. "Sure, but he knows my focus isn't your safety."
