“We stay away from here until it does.”
She’s looking at me funny, he head cocked to one side.
“What?” I ask, getting annoyed by her expression.
“Nothing.”
“It’s clearly not nothing.”
She starts smiling. “I just never thought you’d be the type of guy to be scared of his own brother. Didn’t have you pegged as scared of anything. Yet here you are, running from him.”
“I’m not scared of him.”
“Then why are we moving?”
“Because I don’t want him to kill you.”
Her smile fades at this point. “You really think he might?”
“Listen, Rory. If he wins this battle, he becomes the Don. It’s unlimited power and money. Nothing to keep him in check. He can do whatever the fuck he likes for the rest of his life. You think he’s going to willingly give that up chance for a Moretti?”
She wrinkles her brow like she just figured something out. “I guess not. What about Cara?”
“What about her?”
“Will she be safe?”
“Already arranged. She’s going to stay in one of my other properties. I’ve a load of college brochures for her to go through. She’s got until the end of next month to apply for next year’s intake.”
“What if I don’t get pregnant?”
“You will.”
She shakes her head. “You can’t be sure. We’ve had sex once already and I didn’t get pregnant. Maybe I can’t. Have you considered that?”
“You will.” I look past her. Suitcases are being carried downstairs by my people. Some of them are hers, some mine. “Load them all into the van,” I say, leading Rory outside while they get to work.
I think about what I’m going to tell her later. How the deal has changed. It was going to be until I became Don. After that, I was going to send her on her way. I’d have an heir. She could go and do whatever the fuck she wants somewhere far away.
Not anymore.
I’m keeping her.
It’s that simple.
I’ve decided I don’t want her to leave. I always get what I want. So she’ll be staying, like it or not.
I’m not sure exactly when I changed my mind. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is keeping her safe and this is the best way to do that.
I drive the van away from the compound. I’ve no doubt Giovanni will turn up at some point. After the way his personal guards pointed their guns at me when our father died, I wouldn’t put it past him to try and wipe us both out before we get a chance to react.
This way, it’ll be too late for him. The commission will be informed of the marriage. That gives us a ring of protection for twelve months from any threat of harm. Giovanni breaches that term and he’s got bigger problems than me.
Don or not, he must obey the rulings of the commission. Rebel against them and he’ll be six feet underground long before he gets to enjoy his new found power.
Rory’s quiet during the drive. I glance at her from time to time. She’s staring outside.
She looks beautiful in the morning light. It shines on her face and makes her glow like an angel.