“The bosses of the Five Families. The wedding will be in secret, aside from them. We’ll need witnesses.” I paused, wanting to catch any flicker in her reaction to what I was about to say. “Our marriage will be an act of war against your family. I’ll make it clear to your father that I’m taking you without the benefit of my family’s power added to his.”
Melodic laughter dripping in malice spilled from her lips. “I want to be there when you tell him that.”
I inclined my head. I had no problem with that. But there were things I did. I unfurled from the chair and prowled toward her. I stood before her then leaned down, bracing on the arms of her chair, moving toward her until our eyes were inches apart. “If you attempt to betray me at any point, I’ll withdraw my protection and turn the Five Families against you. You’ll wish for death long before you draw your last breath.”
A shiver coursed through her body, but she held my gaze without wavering. “I understand.”
I understand.Not “I’ll never betray you.” Clever. I wouldn’t underestimate her.
“Trust has to be earned.” When my fingers closed around the gun that rested beside her, removing it from her reach, she didn’t flinch. Her chin notched higher. I set it on the table then helped her to her feet. I ran my hands over every inch of her body in a slow, thorough manner, stripping away an arsenal of weapons, placing each on the table before I guided her to the sliding door. We needed to get into dry clothes.
Once inside, I led her to the bathroom and handed her a towel.
“What will you tell my father about us, when you agree?” She waited for my response, her piercing eyes narrowed, with the towel as a barrier in front of her.
“Nothing. I don’t answer to him. He’ll learn we’re married after the fact. If he has questions, they’ll go unanswered.” I left her standing there. My sister, Sofia, kept clothes at the house, and I was sure Mia would appreciate something warm and dry. I grabbed the first thing I saw from the closet and brought it back to her. “After you shower, come find me in the kitchen.”
I didn’t wait for a response, but I caught the quiet click of the door as it shut and the lock engaged. I grinned, amused by the turn of events. Mia was a beautiful woman, but I wouldn’t touch her until after we were married. And only then if she agreed. I’d meant what I said about our marriage not being in name only. Even so, I would never force myself on a woman.
Once in my room, I stripped out of my clothes then put on dry pants and a shirt. I had a few things to do before we left the island and hoped for some insight into whether she would make an attempt on my life.
I exited my room. As I passed the bathroom, the faint sound of the shower breeched the closed door. She’d looked like she was about ready to pass out if not for sheer determination. Another wave of fury burned through me as I considered the situation she’d fled. But most of all, I needed to find out who had told her where I was.
CHAPTER FIVE
NICO
Ice clinked against the sides of my glass as I poured whiskey just shy of the rim. I took a sip, relishing the burn as it slid down my throat. I’d let an enemy into my home and would soon give her access to my family—all in the name of revenge to clear my conscience for not doing more for a friend. That wasn’t the only reason, though. Having Mia close would allow me to find out who’d attacked the family with a bomb at the club.
It was risky, but I didn’t see that it would cost me much to protect her, to have her by my side.
I wasn’t convinced she was innocent. Her connection to Dante could have been an elaborate scheme his family and the Tuccis had concocted, so for the time being, I would keep her close. The wedding would occur once Marco approved of it, and if it became necessary, she would leave the union through death.
There was a slight scuff against the marble floor, and I turned to see Mia enter the open-concept space in a pair of formfitting black pants and a flowy sleeveless shirt. Slicked back from her face, her long black hair hung past her shoulders, making her exotic features even more prominent. She appeared young, and if I hadn’t looked too closely at the secrets swirling within her eyes, I would have thought she was innocent.
But no one born into our world was free.
“How old are you?” I should have known. And I probably had at one point, but we didn’t pay close attention to the New York Mafia.
“Twenty.” She notched her chin higher. “Which in our world is old as sin.”
I lifted my glass in a toast to the truth of her statement. “Do you want anything to drink? Or eat?”
“Water would be great.” She climbed onto a chair that bellied up to the large island.
After setting a glass of water in front of her, I leaned back against the counter with the island between us. Without any makeup, the half-moons beneath her eyes were even darker.When had she last slept?
Her gaze darted from the windows to the sliding glass door then returned to me.
Does she think her stepbrother or Guido will come for her on the island?“They won’t find you here.”
“I was looking at the weather.” She stifled a yawn.
I didn’t believe her for one second. Hands flat on the cool marble, I leaned forward. “For this to work, there can’t be any secrets between us.” I waited for her to acknowledge me. “How did you learn where I was?”
“A girl has to have some secrets.” The glass knocked against the counter as she set it down unsteadily. Her eyes went half-mast.
I snorted at her answer. Honestly, it was something my sister would have said. I decided to let Mia keep her little secret for the time being. I would find out soon enough if she wanted me to go through with her crazy scheme. “We’re leaving tomorrow night. Why don’t you get some sleep?”