Page 57 of Savage Enemy

“Well, yes, on paper. But if we have a verbal agreement—like we once had regarding not having children—and I have your word that you’ll hand the responsibility to me, then we can make it work. Let the men think whatever they want.

“Because the only way this happens is if I get the right to choose my husband. Let me find someone I personally deem worthy, Stefano. Then you’ll be free of me.”

Her eyes misted, and at some point during her speech, she’d gone from calm and collected to openly pleading.

I folded my arms and squeezed my biceps.

“And what criteria would you use?”

Benedetta stared at the desk.

“Criteria of my choosing. It’s no concern of yours.”

“Oh, but it is, sweetheart. Anything that gives the Commission more power than me will be a hard no. I want the right to veto your choice.”

“Do you really think I’m not aware of the cards I hold and the type of men who covet my inheritance?”

Her voice had risen in pitch and volume, approaching a level of disrespect I wouldn’t tolerate a second time.

I narrowed my eyes and dipped my chin.

“Careful, Benedetta.”

She thrust her fucking finger in my direction.

“No, you listen to me. I agreed to marry you. I’d resigned myself to that fate, then I allowed you to break our contract when Valentina showed up. Not only did I not complain, but I understood. Because I understand that love is rare, and when it’s found, it should be honored.

“Now I’m giving you a better chance to reclaim that love. All I’m asking for in return is the opportunity to find mine. Can you honestly say I don’t deserve a shot at something more than all this?”

Her eyes roamed about, tears on the verge of spilling, as she opened her arms to gesture around my office.

Tears wouldn’t sway me. She should have known that.

Benedetta clenched her hands into fists then, her long nails no doubt cutting into her soft flesh. She wanted this more than I’d thought, and she made several valid points.

But she still hadn’t sold me.

“Do you deserve a normal life? Probably,” I said. “Can you have that? Highly unlikely. People like you and me, we don’t get to be normal. We aren’t made for normal.

“A mafia princess with no living brothers can’t just go off and fall in love with a dentist or computer programmer, for fuck’s sake, and expect him to transform into a kingpin. Nor can you expect love to fall from some goddamn tree and into your lap. It doesn’t work that way. It isn’t that simple.”

She huffed out a breath and stood.

“Look, Stefano, I’m not expecting to find the kind of love you have with Valentina. I’ve seen the way you look at her, the way she looks at you. I’m not asking for that.

“I just want to marry a man I respect, a man who won’t beat me, who might even be worthy of all that comes with marrying me. I haven’t deluded myself into thinking it’ll be perfect, but I do want to choose him myself. I believe I deserve that much.”

I drummed my fingers on the desk, considering.

She was right. For better or worse, Val was the love of my life. And without Benedetta’s help, I couldn’t see another way to get her back. If Benedetta could provide me with the info I needed to bring my girl home, maybe I did owe her the choice.

I rubbed my chin. “Okay.”

Her eyes widened. “Okay?”

Of course she didn’t quite believe it. She’d probably walked into this conversation expecting to be refused.

“Have your father’s lawyer finalize the contract. As far as your father—or anyone else who’s aware of the situation—is concerned, I’m choosing your husband. Privately, you have my word… the choice will be yours if it doesn’t fuck with my position, my businesses, or my family.

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