Page 24 of The Don's Proposal

She’s giving me her motherly advice, just like she always does. I don’t like how broadanythingreally is.

“They’re going to come for her one way or another. Especially now that the other woman is here. You can’t just hide them behind a closed door and pretend everything will be alright. If you bring her into the family, there isn’t much they can do.”

I’m happy to look for any excuse to tie the knot. My men will think I’m doing it to piss off Rocco. However, that’s not the issue here. “That doesn’t solve all of my problems.

“Eliza Parada.” My frown grows as I remember her right hook she landed earlier. “I can’t get rid of her. Marriage is off the table if I do.”

I would like Camellia to be a willing bride, and my mother must understand because she nods.

“I’ve heard she caused quite the commotion this morning.” Her mouth quips like she’s remembering something in the past. Soon, her shoulders square before a look of seriousness takes over. She looks like the woman who helped keep this family afloat while my father was still alive. “And the chance of her marrying one of our own?”

“Slim to none. She’ll get killed out of frustration before she can even get a ring on her finger.” My knee bounces. “Could fake her death and keep her as a prisoner. It doesn’t stop retaliation from occurring. She’s too loud to pretend to be dead, anyway.”

We sit in silence, and I roll my highlighter between my fingers.

No matter what suggestions she can send my way, I know most will end up with Camellia wanting nothing to do with me. Can’t be inhumane or cruel. Can’t beme.

“Something needs to happen. While I know our family is strong, I don’t want to see any fighting brought directly to our home. You understand, don’t you?”

I nod. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’ll get it figured out.”

I’ll have to kill Rocco. I had already made my decision, but this truly solidifies my plan. He’s been an issue I should’ve dealt with when he started trying to expand his area by merging into mine. IfIcan’t be the one to pull the trigger, then I need to find someone else. Or, better yet, I need an excuse that will allow me to be the one.

I really want to be the one to take his life.

“I hope you do. I like this woman.” Moving to stand, she sighs as her body cracks and hints at her old age. “The sweet and innocent type is not what I thought you’d go for. Nonetheless, I approve. Try not to scare her off, please. I’d like to have at least one grandchild before I wither to dust.”

Rolling my eyes at her dramatics, I flick my wrist, silently telling her to leave.

I don’t need any more distractions. What I need is to find someone who can track down the location of Rocco.

Something tells me his sisters won’t give me the information I need. Therefore, I’m going to have to track him down myself.

In the meantime, I’m going to have to figure out how not to lose my little bird while taking care of this problem.

10

Camellia

“We could slip away at night.” My sister squeezes my hands as she tries to talk sense into me. “Bus tickets aren’t too expensive. Let’s just go somewhere far away and make something of ourselves. We can steal something here and sell it. I bet asshole burns a hole in his wallet buying stupid stuff.”

“Uh, I don’t think I want to steal from these guys.” I tried stealing information and look at what happened.

Urzo sighs, rolling his eyes. He might as well be a part of the wall as he watches over us, but he has no issue wearing his thoughts on his face. He thinks the plan is stupid as well.

Probably shouldn’t plot out an escape plan in front of a Bertelli family member, but my sister seems desperate.

“I can’t leave,” I tell her softly. “Santino has promised me something no one ever has.”

She squeezes my hands tighter. “You can’t trust him. They’re all the same, Camellia. All they care about is power and money. Rocco is the same way. He refused to send anyone for you. He wouldn’t even offer up money in hopes of getting you back.” Her brows come together. “Wouldn’t even see if you were still alive.”

I can hear the waiver of her voice. She’s still clearly upset. There’s a layer of exhaustion weighing down on her eyes, thanks to a promised night of tossing and turning.

“Now that I’m here, I’m sure he’s killing those who let me slip out.” She grimaces and shakes her head. Leaning closer, she purposely lowers her voice. “He’s got big plans, Cam. I just fucked him over by leaving the way I did. He wanted to use both of us.”

There’s a little tremble to her fingers and I move my hands so I’m the one giving her a reassuring squeeze. “You didn’t leave to just get me, did you?”

As much as I love my sister, I’d be terrified to go to an enemy’s base to rescue someone else. I’d have to be desperate to run away from the life she has.

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