Page 174 of Sin & Sapphire

He continued to push the chair, then helped her into the car, every movement slow and steady. Angelo’s love language was caring for her, and I wondered if she knew it.

Valentin met my eye through the tinted window of the driver’s seat. I clambered into the passenger seat, letting Angelo fuss over Ana in the back.

I reminded myself that we’d won the first battle for her heart. She was coming home with us.

Now, we had to convince her to stay.

67

ANGELO

Luca Russo

She received another offer of marriage last night.

She said no, but …

Valentin Rochefort

Why the fuck won’t she just tell us she’ll stay?

Io

Because you’re a coldhearted asshole.

I immediately regrettedmy unkindness to Valentin and sent another message.

IO

Because she doesn’t feel secure yet.

Luca Russo

You idiots better get your fucking acts together, or we’re going to lose her.

“Hi,” I said to Ana, interrupting her while she worked to untangle my brother’s accounts, feeling stupid as I towered over her.

She looked up at me and pushed her gleaming hair out of her eyes. Extraordinary what a difference a few weeks of eating right and pampering could do.

“I need your help,” I admitted, my voice quiet as I grimaced. “Your advice,” I corrected. She’d allowed me to dote on her for the past weeks, but she hadn’t let me get close, much to my chagrin. Her bold assassination of Boris Tchérnov had kept competitors for her hand away for a brief period, but the piranhas were circling, and marriage was the only tool we had to truly keep her safe.

Fuck. We needed to convince her to stay with us, and quickly.

“Why can’t Enzo answer your questions?” she asked.

I snorted. “Enzo’s great at knocking heads together. He doesn’t know shit about the contracts Gio signed or how much he invested.”

“And you think I do?”

“I think you know what questions to ask the lawyers and the accountants,” I answered. “Let me take you out to dinner, please. I swear I’m not asking for anything more.”

“Dinner between equals,” she said, lifting her chin.

I wanted to tell her to drop to her knees and apologize, that if I wanted to dress her and feed her and fucking take care of her, then that’s exactly what I’d do.

And then she’d never speak to me again. I wouldn’t just lose her for myself, but for all three of us.

“Vabene,” I said. “Dinner from a man who wants to take a beautiful woman out.”

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