Page 39 of His Bride

I almost laugh. “You say that like it’s something I’m not aware of. I know what I am to my father. I’ve known it for years.”

“Then why are you packing your stuff, wanting to leave with him?”

“Because someone has to protect my brother.”

“And you think you can protect him? You couldn’t even do a half-decent job at running away from home.”

“You really are a special kind of asshole.”

“And your family is the worst,” he snaps. “You, your father, and your brother.” He stops. Rubs his face. Then he meets my eye. “Maybe not you. But you don’t fucking listen, Giana.”

“You know what, Caelian?” I say.

“No,” he mutters, “but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“I love you. I do. And this time it’s not a joke.”

His eyes widen and his hardened features soften. His gaze flickers between my eyes, as if he's searching for hints of dishonesty, but he finds no such thing because I mean it. I mean every word.

I grab my suitcase off the bed and straighten. “I love you. But I don’t want to be married to you anymore.”

The air pulsates with the tension between us, and for a wavering moment, an array of emotions crosses Caelian's face too fast to read.

But then he regains his composure, his eyes hardening once more. I know whatever comes out of his mouth next will hurt, probably knock me on my ass, which is why I walk out before he gets a chance to say anything.

Every breath, every step I take as I walk down the hall, there’s this unimaginable pain that rips through me, tearing at the seams of my heart.

Each pump of blood is a stinging reminder, each blink a blur of sorrowful tears. It hurts to walk away from him. Even as I descend the stairs, there’s still an invisible thread that stretches from me to him, refusing to break.

But I can’t stay.

I have to protect my brother, and Caelian has made it clear my brother is a burden he refuses to carry.

Maybe this is what it means to be part of a family like ours—what it means to be Mafia. Sacrifice. Putting yourself, your heart second. Family above all else.

Nicoli steps up to me as I take the final step. “Are you sure about this? We can’t protect you if you leave.”

My bottom lip quivers. “If I don’t, who protects my brother?”

“Definitely not your coward of a father,” Caelian remarks behind me, and I turn to see him glare at my dad. “He’s too much of a pussy to protect his own flesh and blood.”

“How dare you?” my father lashes back.

“How dare I?” Caelian starts down the stairs. “Are you not a coward, then? Are you not allowing your daughter to leave the protection of this family so she can keep your son safe while you plot your next move in world domination?”

“This is her decision.”

“And that’s a new concept for you, isn’t it? Your daughter making her own decisions.” He takes the step and brushes past me, stopping inches away from my father. “I must say, for a man who pleaded for our help to keep his daughter safe mere months ago, you’re all too accepting of herdecisionto leave now. Why is that?”

“Maybe I’ve learned from my mistakes.”

Caelian scoffs. “You haven’t. Otherwise, you wouldn’t let my wife leave this house with you today.”

My father steps forward. “With your brother on death’s door?—”

“He’s not,” Caelian responds firmly. “Don’t believe the hype or whatever your best bud Aurelio might say about my brother. It’s not true. Alexius is back shortly, and you better be fucking happy it’s me and my other brothers you’re facing. Not Alexius. I’m reasonable.”

“You?” I interrupt. “Reasonable?”

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