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“What you should do is make a decision. The offer’s not on the table forever.”
“It’s just so hard,” I say, groaning in frustration.
Christian crosses his arms. “Do you want to know about the first time I killed someone?”
My eyes widen. I hadn’t been expecting such a turn in the conversation. I swallow softly and nod. Call it morbid fascination, but a part of me is curious about this man standing in front of me and the moments that drove him to become the person he is today.
“I was only sixteen years old,” Christian says, letting out a harsh breath. He doesn’t hold my gaze as he recounts the story. “My father came into my room, I think I was playing some video game, I can’t remember. Anyway, he walked in and gave me a gun. Then he told me that to be a real man, I had to learn how to use it.”
His gaze is unfocused, like he’s stuck in the memory.
“Before then, I had had target practice, of course. I always knew I would have to use a gun one day. I guess I hadn’t been expecting it to be so soon. His name was Morelli Knox, forty years old. He had a daughter who was only thirteen at the time. He used to be in charge of one of our casinos. Until the day he got a little too trigger-happy and shot one of my cousins dead. My dad asked me to take revenge for all of us.”
My chest goes cold at the sheer awfulness of the situation. Putting him through that at sixteen was awful.
“I could have walked away,” Christian continues. “I had a choice, but I stood there, looking him in the eye and then at my father standing beside me. I knew I had to go through it. For the family, for the D’Angelos, I had to prove I was strong enough. Do you know why I’m telling you this?”
I shake my head slowly, feeling a little numb.
“Because when it comes to my family, Daniella, I would sacrifice anything. I already have.”
I let out a shaky breath. “What happened to his daughter?”
Christian’s lips curve into a grimace. “My family put her through high school and college. Right now, she’s at Harvard Law.”
My chest heaves in relief. At least they took care of her. Tense silence descends, I’m not sure what to say.
“I also told you that story because if you say yes, I want you to know exactly what you would be getting yourself into. This isn’t some fairytale story. My life comes with a lot of danger and blood. I wouldn’t blame you if you chose not to get involved in that.”
“I-I need to sit down,” I tell him. My back is already against the wall, so I slide down the floor and raise my knees to my head.
“Do you want me to give you some time?” Christian asks.
I look up at him. He feels so solid, unbreakable, unmovable. “No.”
He raises an eyebrow.
“I’ve made my decision,” I say softly. “I’ll marry you.”
His eyes flicker with some unknown emotion that I think might be relief.
“Why?” he questions.
“Because my parents raised me. They took care of me for twenty-two years of my life. Now it’s my turn to reciprocate. I want to be a person that sacrifices everything for my family.”
“Those people are often unhappy.”
“I guess we’d make a good pair then.”
He smiles. “So that’s it? You’re marrying me because of familial duty?”
“Not just that.” I raise my hand, gesturing for him to pull me to my feet. His hand encloses over mine, his grip strong as he lifts me up. He doesn’t let go immediately and neither do I. “You were honest with me, Christian. I liked that you were honest with me.”
He nods, his gaze soft. “Let’s hope you don’t regret it.”
“Oh, I have a feeling I will. But at least then I won’t have a choice.”
CHAPTER10
