Page 59 of Twisted Obsession

“It’s not a commonly known fact, but Dominic is the son of my mother’s sister,” Mika says with deceptive mildness.

Janey Mack! That means he’s Don Salvatore’s nephew in a household skewed more towards daughters. Talk about a fuck up.

I sit forward, wincing at the ache in my body. "And what does Dominic say about this?"

Ciaran's lips twist into a wry smile. "He's not exactly in a position to object right now. But given the alternative..."

The implication hangs heavy in the air between us. I swallow hard, trying to process this new information. An arranged marriage. It seems almost laughably old-fashioned and it’s something my father would be totally on board with; has hintedat in the past. It’s also something my brothers have been fiercely opposed to, promising me they would never allow such a thing, so I can understand why Ciaran’s leaving the decision to me. But if it means Dominic lives, if it means our families stop tearing each other apart...

"An arranged marriage could be a way out of this mess. A way for everyone to claim restitution. Would you be okay with that?" Ciaran asks, his voice gentle. "Marrying him, I mean. For real."

My heart races as I consider Ciaran's question. Marriage to Dominic. I always imagined I would marry outside the world of organized crime where I could raise a family in relative peace. Put some distance between myself and the circumstances I was born into. I wanted better for my children… But since I’m already pregnant with Dominic’s child–a child that will bridge not one, but two crime families–that dream has been well and truly shot down. The very idea should be terrifying, but instead I feel a strange sense of calm settle over me.

"I..." I start, then pause, gathering my thoughts. "I think it would be okay.” More than okay, actually, I admit to myself.

The words surprise me as they leave my mouth, but I know they're true. In the chaos of the past few days, one thing has become crystal clear–my feelings for Dominic run deeper than I ever realized. Yes, I thought it was love, but still the possibility of Stockholm Syndrome lingered in my mind.

Until the very real threat of his death slapped me straight between the eyes and I thought my heart might break at the prospect of a world without him in it.

Mika leans forward, his dark eyes intense. "You understand what this means, Roisin? This isn't just a paper marriage. Itwould need to be a true alliance between our families. There can be no going back."

I nod slowly. "I understand. And I'm willing, if it means an end to this feud. If it means Dominic lives… if it means my baby has a father."

And the biggest reason of all–because I need him.

Love him.

I just hope he doesn't resent me for it and that we can live in relative harmony together.

That he won’t break my heart.

Callum makes a strangled sound, finally stopping his pacing to glare at me. "You can't be serious, Roisin. After everything they've done to our family?"

"What about everything we've done to theirs?" I counter, my voice stronger than I expected. "This cycle of violence is getting out of control and it needs to stop.”

“It stopped with the Viper’s death,” Callum bites out, his eyes blazing.

I give a humorless, strangled laugh. “How can you stand and say that when Dominic is imprisoned in our basement?” I demand, meeting his glare and refusing to look away.

“I bear no grudge against Dominic. He saved me from a fate worse than death. Something that would have poisoned my entire life. He did nothing more than what I asked, what I begged for, and this is the way you repay him?”

“They took you, murdered Orla–you saw what they did to her!” he yells in disbelief.

“The Viper did that,” I shout back. “Not Dominic. Even under the circumstances, Dominic and Mika did everything they could to keep me safe. And I was taken becauseyouabducted Maricela… from her own wedding, no less. Does that mean I should blame you, too? Or do you imagine you’re innocent in all of this?”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Ciaran rises and slashes his hand through the air.

“There’s no point in batting around recriminations like this. It doesn’t change the facts. What we need to do is move forward.”

He gives his twin a hard stare. “We agreed we’d let Roisin decide and she has.”

Callum's jaw clenches, but he nods stiffly. The tension in the room is palpable as Mika clears his throat.

"There are, of course, conditions," he says, his tone businesslike. "First and foremost, Dominic will be released immediately and will endure no further harm. Second, there will be a formal ceremony to seal the alliance between our families. And third..." He pauses, his gaze flickering between me and my brothers. "The child you carry will be raised to recognize both families, equally."

I feel a jolt of surprise at this last condition. The implications are staggering–our baby, a bridge between two powerful crime syndicates. It's a heavy burden to place on an unborn child, but I understand the necessity of it.

"Agreed," I say firmly, before either of my brothers can object. "But I have a condition of my own. This feud ends now. No more violence, no more retaliation. We start fresh, as allies."

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