Page 27 of The Don's Proposal

When I nod, he tilts my chin back, kisses me one last time, and then pulls me away from wherever Eliza has been taken.

11

Santino

Rocco has yet to make a move, and I can’t say I’m entirely surprised. I’ve stolen what little blood he has, leaving him by his lonesome.

All I’m waiting for now is for him to make an appearance. Completely alone, I’m sure he wouldn’t have the balls to face me here and try to take his sisters back. Even if he just wants Eliza, the risk is too high.

So, the next thing to do is to try and draw him out. Neither sister wants to tell me where he sleeps, so I’m taking this into my own hands.

I’ll risk my safety. If I give Rocco a reason to try to take my life, my future wife can’t despise me for protecting myself. Even better, if he tries to kill her, I could come out of this looking like the hero by spilling his blood. Sure, he won’t have the chance to point his gun at her before I’ll put a bullet between his eyes, but she won’t know any better.

“We could have just ordered something.” Camellia squirms in the back seat of our car as we drive through the city. “I’m sure you can get packages even while being on the outskirts of town.”

Settling next to her, my hand tucked deliciously between her thighs, I give one a squeeze. “As much as I love seeing you wearing my clothing, I want you to find something you feel more comfortable in.”

“What about my sister? She needs clothes, too.” Her fingers wrap around my wrist to avoid letting me touch any higher. She’s embarrassed because of the person driving only a couple of feet away from us. She has nothing to worry about, he wouldn’t dare look our way.

“Urzo will get what she needs.” I promise her, pausing for only a hitch when I realize I may be lying to her.

The last couple days may have been rougher than I planned. His patience is getting tested, I can tell by the grit of his jaw. He looks like he hasn’t been getting much sleep, probably too busy making sure his soon to be bride doesn’t try to smother him. Even worse, instead of managing the family guarding our home, he’s too busy making sure Eliza isn’t trying to escape.

He acts like he wants nothing to do with her. I hope he gets her something as simple as a wardrobe. I really don’t want to take care of her as well.

Seeing how unsettled Camellia is, I rub her thigh with my thumb. “Everything will work out, I promise. I have a feeling by the end of today, everything will be exactly as it should be.” Murmuring the words against the top of her head as my lips brush her soft hair, I pull away entirely and settle on my side of the car.

I try not to smile when she looks up at the lack of my touch. Lately, I haven’t been able to stop. At this rate, just like my brother, I’m not getting any work done. Everything about this woman is sucking up all of my time.

I don’t know how my father did it. While I don’t want to imagine him being affectionate with my mother, I know well enough that my parents had a healthy relationship. He loved her dearly. Somehow, he found a way to manage our family, all while managing his marriage.

Finding the line between will be my next goal. But first, to take care of this pesky nuisance.

“Do you think we could grab a bite after?” Hesitant, she asks as she bites that plump lip of hers. “I can’t remember the last time I had fast food.”

A smile comes as naturally to my lips as possible at the hint of excitement behind her words.

“Anything for you. Just tell me what you are craving, and it is yours.” Be it food, or something else, I’m happy to please.

We eventually reach a clothing outlet. Pulling into a parking lot, two other vehicles park on the surrounding sides of our car. Always needing a wall of protection, a handful of men flood out of the other cars. Most are ordered to hang out on the outside of the building, while two others come inside with us.

“Pick out anything you want. Don’t worry about the price tags and make sure to grab enough for a few outfits. I can’t wait to see what kind of taste you have.” Rubbing my fingers against the middle of her back, I give her a little push to get her out of this hesitant state.

I want to spoil her. I don’t care about money, it’s just a number, anyway. As long as she’s swelling with happiness, that’s the only thing I care about.

Once she drifts off to lightly finger different fabrics, I turn toward Tommy and lower my voice. “Where we followed?”

He shakes his head, much to my dismay. “So far, no. I did as you ordered, and called over the schedule with the others. If they’re listening, or worse, there is a leak, then they know exactly what we’re doing.”

I grunt, nodding to his words. Crossing my arms over my chest, I drift over toward the windows of the store and gaze out.

Camellia doesn’t know any better, but I’ve purposely taken her into Parada territory.

I don’t enjoy using my future bride as a lure, but I don’t know what else to do. I’m hoping if he learns that I’m out and about, with possibly both sisters, he’ll send someone our way. Someone who will give me the information I need. Or, even better, he’ll come visit himself so I can finish the job with ease.

Looking over my shoulder, I see Camellia pressing a white summer dress against her front with a look of debate. Already picturing her wearing it, knowing how easy access it’ll be, I drift away from the view to help convince her to pick out more clothing like this.

This shop is only our first. Once she’s picked out enough clothes to fill one bag, I drag her to another. The deeper we enter the territory, the higher success I’ll have.

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