Page 46 of Forbidden Cravings

“It leaves you exactly where you are, only my alliance with Tides now reinforces your power because it links every one of my allies to him.”

“Actually,” Donelli said, folding his fingers. “I need more.”

My jaw tightened, the tension returning to my shoulders. “More?”

“More. The Bad Omens have turned their attention from the east for now. While they bide their time, they’ve been active in my province. The families to the north have spotted their activity, as have we. I’m sure Tyson told you about the mark we killed.”

“Yes, but the Bad Omens have been in your backyard since they formed. They’re to the south of you in the next province and they’ve never bothered you before because they know you’re under my protection.”

“Correct, but that was before they broke through your defenses. Now they seem intent on playing with me, and that leaves me in a dangerous position. I need more than your word. I need a sign, so they won’t even look my way.”

Shit, I didn’t like where this was heading and if he dared even assume that I wanted anything to do with Angie, I’d walk out.

“My son has taken a liking to Casey.” This time, my jaw did drop before I had time to catch it. That wasn’t where I’d expected him to go. Casey’s gasp was audible, but I didn’t dare turn my attention from Donelli. “I would offer my Angie to you, but she likes to play too much and I’m not ready to give her up.”

“That’s a shame,” she muttered, and I dared to look at her. “I could have changed your mind on my type. You’d be surprised what these long legs can do?—”

“Angela!”

“Fine,” she huffed, but still seductively licked her lips again.

I wondered what was going through Casey’s mind but didn’t want to look over at her because doing so would break my composure.

“This isn’t about you, my dear, this is about your brother. As I said, Tony has taken a liking to Casey, and I propose we use that to secure the relationship between my family and yours just like you did with Tides.”

Fuck.

“What?” Casey asked.

“He’s saying you become mine, princess. Come on, you know you want it.”

My tension was erupting, anger seething through me.

“I don’t want it.” I could hear the distress in her voice.

“It’s not up to you, Casey. This is a business arrangement,” Donelli said as I continued to grapple with how to handle this situation.

“Just think, we’d be sisters,” Angie gushed in a completely opposing way to the snide insults she’d flung at Casey earlier.

“I’m not sure how I feel about this,” I said. “Tyson?—”

“Does Tyson run your business?” Donelli asked, challenging me. “Are you not the head of the family?” He leaned further in. “Was I wrong about that?”

“No,” I snarled. “Don’t question my power, Donelli.”

“Then Casey marries Tony.”

This was turning so fast I was losing control. My mind was a flood of thoughts and emotions, my body so heated with anger and jealousy that my hold on my glass of scotch tightened the further the discussion went.

“I can’t—” Casey started.

“You can, princess. Just think, you’ll be sharing my bed and my name. You’ll be my girl.”

My glass shattered, and I stood, shaking the glass away. “She’s not your fucking girl. She’s mine. And if you touch her or call her princess again, I’ll shove that hand so far up your ass you won’t walk straight for months.”

Silence fell, the echo of Angie’s fork dropping against her plate the only sound. Casey’s mouth had fallen open, her eyes filled with emotion.

“Your girl, Mason?” Donelli asked.

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