Page 81 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

"Now, he's just showing off," Toya whispered, wiping her eyes.

"I know, right?" Monique whispered, blinking back tears of her own.

"Cas, what are you saying?" Meka asked, voice shaky.

"I'm saying," Cas started, taking a step forward. "I'm saying that I choose you. I choose a life with you. I can't be a part of the family business anymore. I love my family. And I'll alwaysbe there for them. But it's time for me to live my own life. This means I won't have as much money as I had before. But it doesn't mean I'll be broke. I have a profitable business in my name that has nothing to do with my family. I'll be able to provide for us. I have a house. I have cars. I can still buy you anything you want. You won't suffer at all, I promise."

"Cas, I have my own house and my own car. I have money, too. I don't need a flashy lifestyle."

"Hold on now, Meka," Toya whispered. "The riches are important too."

Monique shoulder-bumped Toya. "Stop it."

"I'm just saying," Toya whispered. "Turn the volume up. I can barely hear them."

"Alright." Monique started fiddling with the volume while listening to Cas and Meka.

"I don't need to be rich," Meka continued. "I didn't fall in love with the Cattaneo family. I fell in love with you. Even without knowing how you looked and what you possessed, I still fell in love with you. So, all I need is you."

"Meka," Cas started forward.

This time, it was Meka who raised her hand, halting him. "I need you to be happy, Cas. I need you to be safe. But I also need you to be you. The real you. And if the real you..." Meka took a deep breath and released it slowly. "If the real you still yearn to be part of the Cattaneo organization, then I'll accept that part of you too."

"Wait a damn minute," Toya started. "This heffa said she couldn't accept that. Why is she changing things up on us?"

Monique chuckled. "Love makes you do crazy things."

"But..."

"No buts," Monique told her friend. "If she wants to try to accept it. Let her try. No regrets, remember?"

Toya shook her head. "I swear, these Cattaneo men be having y'all losing y'all minds. I don't want one. I'm already crazy. I don't need anything that's going to make me crazier."

"Shhh. I want to hear how Cas responds," Monique whispered as she pressed a button on the screen.

"I don't want that," Cas told Meka. "I don't want that lifestyle. I don't want that life. Thank you for being willing to accept it. But I no longer want to accept it. I want to start over. With you. I want..." Cas paused. He swallowed, looking even more nervous. "I want forever with you. And I'll do whatever it takes to have that, to have you. Will you have me, Meka?"

He hadn't even finished the sentence before Meka was rushing toward him. She threw her arms around him, crying against his chest as he held her tightly. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he closed his eyes and hugged her.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," Meka cried.

"Awww," Toya and Monique cooed.

Cas's eyes snapped open. He stared at the front door and asked, "Is someone listening in to our conversation?"

Meka turned to glare at the doorbell camera. "They better not be listening in. If they are, I'm going to kill them."

Toya stared at Monique. Monique stared down at the phone.Damn it.She'd pressed the wrong button.

Returning her gaze to Toya, Monique whispered, "Sorry."

Toya shook her head, disappointment flaring in her gaze. They'd been caught in the act. How the hell were they supposed to pull off a kidnapping if they couldn't even pull off an eavesdropping?

"Busted!" Meka exclaimed, glaring at the camera. "How are we going to pull off kidnapping Raz if you two can't even eavesdrop quietly?"

"Wait," Cas said, smiling. "You all plan to kidnap my brother?"

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