Page 11 of Dating the Don

I think she would be happy for me, choosing this ring.

CHAPTER SIX

CRISTIANO

Maeve has hardly stopped looking at her ring since we bought it.

It was supposed to be the easier, more fun part of today. I had hoped for some banter and then a large, gaudy ring that she would have no choice but to wear. I wanted something that I would be able to gloat about every time I saw it on her finger. Instead, we found a replica of her mother’s ring and I worry that I’ve opened up a well of pain inside her.

Now that we’re back at the house, comes the harder part.

Maeve isn't in any condition to speak with Annalisa, but if my mother learns of all of this later on, it will end up far worse for all parties involved. Hearing this goodnews will hopefully help herovercome the melancholy that has swallowed her and keptherbedridden since father's death. However, I have a feeling that when she finds out it's a fake engagement, she will take it badly.

“Are you sure now is the best time to do this? There’s still so much to consider…” Maeve starts, and I pull her in closer to my side by her waist.

I won’t deny that I’m getting a hell of a thrill over the fact that Maeve is letting me touch her so freely. She’s not constantly spinning out of my hold or making those mocking comments like she’s done every other time that I’ve tried to make moves on her in the past. Can’t say that I’m not excited to see just how far I can push these new boundaries.

She still hasn’t even asked me much about the man in the basement, but I’m sure that’s all going to come up soon.

"We should be the ones to tellher," I say. Speaking from experience, whenever my mother learned something afterwards, it was never good. Even though I'm the newcapo, shecan still be intimidating.

These days I will take her wrath more happily than the robe-clad cloud of sadness that seems to have wholly engulfed her.

I should have known how this conversation would go just by seeing my mother's shocked expression when I step into the room holding Maeve. With a dramatic flair and a flourish of black robes that only she can pull off, she sweeps over and settles into the lounge chair across from where wedecided to sit.

“No,” Annalisa says bitterly the moment I break the news to her. “Absolutely not.”

Im surprised, I’ll admit. Maeve instantly starts to panic, her shoulders tensing and her eyes flickering towards the door. My mother has always been good to her, but Maeve needs to remember the hierarchy in this household. Whether she likes it or not, my mother has to answer to me.

“Perhaps I wasn’t being clear, mother. I was not seeking your approval. I was merely giving you the courtesy of informing you of the day’s events before you heard about them from other sources. Nothing more, nothing less,” I answer and place a hand possessively on Maeve’s thigh.

“You mean to insult me, is that what you mean?” Annalisa breathes, her lethal softness dangerous.

“I fail to see the insult in my engagement, mother. And I will not endure your dramatics today,” I continue. Not because I do not value her opinion, but because my mother is a shark in her own right. If she sees an ounce of weakness, of blood in the water, she’s going to strike with all her might. She loves me but she raised me to become a cold, hardened man.

“Nothing against you, Maeve, dear. In fact, I think it would be best if she were to step out of the room so that we can have our conversation.” Annalisa lifts her empty teacup from where it rests on the table in between us and holds it out for Maeve to take as she leaves the room. It is exactly the kind of thing shewould expect our maids to take care of. But she is no longer our maid; she is to be my wife.

Maeve instinctively starts to stand up and reach forthe teacup.

My hand tightens on her thigh and I force her back down.

With a tiny squeal of surprise, she sits back down. She looks away from my mother, her shoulders hunched forward. I don’t know why she’s acting so damned bashful, but that’s something that we are going to have to work on. She is going to need to be able to sit straight with her feet firmly on the ground if she is to stand beside me and face all the challenges ahead.

She can’t afford to lose sight of who she truly is. I simply won't let her. She’s far too important to me. She is now also far too important for my future ambitions.

“See?” Mother continues. “She’s the help, Cristiano. While we love her, if I had known you were looking for a wife, I would have given you have a list of eligible young women who would love to be considered. From our background.”

“And then what? Have Maeve taken out back and shot in the back of her head?”

Annalisa chews on the inside of her cheek and Maeve flinches. I don’t blame her either. My words are harsh, but they have to be.

“That’s not what I said.”

“Well, the past cannot be undone, mother. So, who would you rather see dead? My right-hand men and his chosen soldiers? Or Maeve? Because if you’re insistent on refusing this marriage, one or all of those parties must die. Which blood would you prefer to have on your hands?” I continue.

“She should not have been down there!” Mother protests again; a futile point to be making as it has already happened. Also, of course she had already been informed.

“I have decided that this is the best way to handle things, and my word is final on the matter. If you do not approve, then that is your problem.” The fact that she’s making these bullshit claims about her birth or ranking hurts me more than I care to admit. I rise from my seat and hold my hand out to Maeve. “Maeve and her mother have been nothing but loyal to our family in all of their years of service to us. You have personally watched Maeve grow into the dedicated and hard-working young woman standing beside me today. Honestly, I am ashamed of you.”

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