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I understand what she’s trying to say, but the Angelo family isn’t a typical mafia organization. Our words, “feared and respected,” connote that we do everything possible to ensure that we remain feared and respected in society. Which means carrying out business in a manner that gives off the appearance that we’re a legitimate organization and not a crime syndicate.
“So, you’re not going to kill me?” Daniella asks hopefully.
A ghost of a smile flickers over my mouth. I would never hurt her, but the fact that she thinks I could might be beneficial to me. Maybe it would even coerce her into good behavior.
“Let’s be honest here, Ms. Evans. Your behavior today does deserve a bullet to the head.”
She shrinks back out of fear and I watch the color bleed out of her face, making me immediately regret my words. My goal isn’t to terrify her.
“Relax, I won’t hurt you.”
I have a code, and that includes not laying my hands on any woman, ever. My parents raised me better than that. She still looks a little hesitant, so I offer her a little smile right as we pull into the driveway of my house.
“Maybe we should start over,” I say. “Hello, Ms. Evans. I’m Christian.”
I’m going to be married to the woman, the least I could do is act civil. Despite the hiccups. She eyes my outstretched hand warily for two beats before leaning closer and placing her small, delicate hand in mine. Her hand is warm and soft and I find myself wanting to hold on longer than I should.
“I’m Daniella. Dany to my friends,” she states, before adding, “You’re not my friend.”
I nod. “Of course.”
We’re still seated in the car and she hasn’t made any moves to get out. She continues to stare at my home like it’s some kind of prison or a containment facility. I’m not so sure that’s wrong.
“Please, take me home.”
I cock my head to the side. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Ms. Evans.”
“Of course you can. It’s as simple as starting this vehicle and driving me back to a place where I’m comfortable living.”
“Why wouldn’t you be comfortable here?” I question.
“That, for one,” she says, pointing at one of my men parading the area with a gun slung over his shoulder.
“Ah,” I say, realizing her point.
“Ah? That’s all you can say?”
My mom always used to say every relationship requires some concessions. Although I’m not planning on building any form of relationship with Daniella, I can at least help her feel a little more comfortable.
“Would you prefer it if I sent all the guards away?”
“I would prefer it if you drove me back home.”
“That’s not on the table, Daniella.”
She stares at me, I stare back, my expression hard. The sooner she understands that this isn’t her daddy’s home and she can’t do whatever the hell she wants, the sooner we can move on from all this nonsense. She nods once and I quickly grab my phone to send a text to Carlo.
Five minutes later, every single guard has pulled out of the compound.
“Now, are you satisfied?” I question.
“I would be satisfied if you would let me go home,” she mumbles.
I give her a look of disbelief, and she rolls her eyes before finally stepping out of the car. One of the help appears immediately to carry her stuff from the back of the car.
“Will it be okay, though? Sending your guards away?” Daniella questions.
“Don’t worry. No one is stupid enough to try to cross the D’Angelo family.”
