Page 24 of The Merciless Don's Bride

He watches me over the rim of his glass. Silent, patient. Our gazes are still connected. It’s like a staring contest that’s giving me heart palpitations. I break first, clearing my throat.

“Well, are you going to stare all day or…?”

“Of course. Where would you like me to begin?”

“From the beginning. Why did you crash my father’s funeral and then drag me all the way over here?”

“You came willingly,” he grumbles like that’s somehow important to him.

“Whatever. Why me? And what’s with all the talk about me being your bride? I’m this close to thinking you have some sort of mental illness?”

He lets out a short, humorless laugh, “I can assure you, Cassandra, I’m in complete control of my faculties.”

I lean forward slightly, voice low and tight. “Why me?”

Damien sets his drink down with a soft click. His gaze sharpens, the lazy amusement draining away until all that’s left is something colder. More serious.

“Your father owed me a debt,” he says. “A debt he couldn’t repay.”

My heart stumbles. “I don’t understand. What sort of debt?”

“His company was in trouble a couple of years ago. Tethering on the edge of bankruptcy. He was facing several charges of fraud and insider trading. He also had a lot of debt after secretly borrowing money from a couple shady sources.”

I feel cold all over. My father never mentioned any of this to me. I had no clue.

“You’re wondering why he didn’t tell you. My best guess is that he was trying to protect you from the truth. Parents project a very specific image of themselves to their children. An image they’ll do anything to protect.”

I swallow, “What kind of shady sources did he owe?”

“Dangerous ones. A notorious mafia group in the Cosa Nostra that’s known for giving out loans that are nearly impossible to pay back. I’m guessing your father was desperate when he wanted to establish his company.”

I feel sick.

“They were starting to threaten his life when your father approached me. His life and yours as well. I’m particularly efficient when it comes to situations like the one Gabriel had been in. He made a deal with me and I made all his problems disappear.”

He says that so easily, like he’s capable of doing anything. I’m almost sure the man has some sort of God-complex. Meanwhile my head is swimming with all this new information.

“So you’re saying…” my voice shakes and I hate it. “You’re saying my father… sold me to you?”

“I wouldn’t put it like that. You’re not cattle, Cassandra. I didn’t buy you. You were simply promised to be my family.”

Blood drains from my face.

“To your family?”

The way he says it, like it’s something natural or normal, sends a shiver down my spine.

He nods, “Originally to my brother, Dante. But then I decided that I wanted you instead.”

“Oh wonderful,” I say sarcastically. “And here I was thinking I wasn’t cattle.”

Damien’s mouth twitches. Not with humor but something darker.

“I decided you would make a worthy bride for a Don. You should be honored.”

I shoot to my feet, my heart pounding so loud it’s a miracle he can’t hear it.

“You’re insane. A Don? What does that even mean? None of this makes sense.”

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