Page 98 of The Proposal

I didn’t see this on either of our bingo cards a year ago, yet here we are—loved-up family men, and I wouldn’t change this even if I could.

“She seems nice,” Alexander says, pulling my focus away from my wife. “Chloe and Giovanni seem very taken with her.”

They’re not the only ones.

“Sheisnice,” I reply as my eyes gravitate back to her, and I find myself smiling again as I watch her dance. She doesn’tseem to care that she’s uncoordinated, or she’s oblivious to the fact.

“I’m sorry for what I said this morning. I misjudged her.”

I shrug slightly. “I wouldn’t have brought her here if she wasn’t trustworthy. She’s a good person and is nothing like her old man. She despises that lifestyle.”

“Yet she married you.”

I narrow my eyes as my head snaps in his direction. “Like me, she didn’t have a choice.”

“I can only gather since you’re associating with Stefano Rossi that you’ve taken over Papa’s position in theFamiglia.”

“Yes.”

He lets out a long sigh, remaining silent for what feels like forever. This isn’t the life he envisioned for either of us, but it’s all I’ve ever known. “Are the Mortellis still giving you trouble?”

I down the rest of my scotch and stand. “Want another?” I ask, gesturing to his empty glass.

“Are you avoiding answering that question for a reason?”

“I’m not avoiding anything, but a lot has come to light recently, and I’m pretty sure you’ll want another stiff drink once I fill you in.”

He eyes me sceptically as he hands over his glass. “Should I be concerned about what you are going to tell me?”

“Concerned, no, but you won’t like what I have to say.”

As soon as I place the glasses down and reach for the scotch, I hear the sliding door behind me open. I glance over my shoulder and see Alexander entering the cabin.

“I thought it would be better if I came in here, just in case what you need to tell me is bad.”

“Oh, it’s bad, but before I get into that, were you ever going to tell me that Papa cut me out of the will and left everything to you?”

“Fuck,” I hear him mumble under his breath, which tellsme everything I need to know.He wasn’t.Always the protector. “Does it really matter? I made sure you got half … more than half.”

“That’s not the point. You went against his wishes.”

“Are you serious right now? He probably left it all to me because he wanted me to take over.”

“But you didn’t take over, I did.”

“Is that what this is about? You can have it all if that’s what you’re implying.”

“I don’t want it all. I have more than enough. The way it stands, my children … hell, my children’s children are set for life.”

“What are you getting at then?” he asks.

“I just wish you would’ve told me. Do you know how it felt to find out the way I did?”

“I told the lawyer not to tell you. The incompetent fucker.”

“He didn’t.”

“How did you find out then? Who else knew?”

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