Page 14 of Killian

“Right. Because the family comes first, even over blood. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. It’s the way it has to be.”

I nod. “So if I were to say, threaten Sofia in the name of the family, you would murder me.”

“Don’t say things like that,” he warns.

“Why not? It’s true. You wanted to have this conversation. I’m being mature about it. Posing questions I need the answers to.”

“You may need answers, but I’m under no obligation to provide them.”

“Of course not. How about this? I appreciate that you have protected me all of these years against my will. I appreciate you paid for my college and that you continue to finance me against my wishes. I even appreciate that you are sitting here, making an effort with me. Please know, I really do, but I’m not part of the family. I have no Catalini tattoo. I have never been allowed to be near the business, nor will I ever be allowed in the future. I know how this works. Unless you marry me off, I am of no use to you. By the way, that’s a hard no. I would rather slit my own wrists than agree to an arranged marriage. So how about I go my own way? From now on, I will pay for myself. I will protect myself. Then we can end this charade.”

“Absolutely not. What happened to you? You used to be...” He trails off, shaking his head.

“Docile? Like Mom? You’re right. Then you shipped me away from my family and hid me in Italy. Did you know before the family came to America, the women actually played a part in the business? They weren’t only there to raise the children and keep up with housework. Nonna taught me that. I’m not the meek girl you once knew. I went to college and now I have my own brain. My own opinions. I have skills you have no idea about. So let me go do my own thing and forget I exist. I’ll leave the family and you can pretend you buried me along with Karrisa.”

“Stop playing the victim. What I did was to protect you. You realize Karrisa was not only threatening me, but her threat was also to you. Now you have skills? Yeah, your skills have made you a target,” he spews.

“You know nothing.” I get up, turning away from the table.

“I know that your skills have put you on the radar of the Westies and that they have demanded your skills in retribution.”

I freeze.

Fucking Killian.

“Retribution for what? You’re involving me in business now?”

I hear his sigh, making me turn back to him. “You’ve left me no choice. The option is to allow him to kill Matteo or use your skills. If I thought you were in any real danger with him, I would sacrifice Matteo. Seeing as he agreed to allow my men to escort you and has ensured that you are also under Westie protection, I felt no need to deny him.”

This slick bastard thought he could use his retribution to secure more time with me. What the fuck is wrong with these men? Do they not care that I have choices?

“How about denying him because I don’t want to do it?”

“Is that what you want? To condemn Matteo to death because you refuse to help? If so, say the word. This once, I will do it. I don’t have to, but I would like to earn your trust back.”

I run my hand down my face. Matteo. I’ve only been around him a few times, but he’s a good guy.

“Fine. For Matteo, but I want your word that you will let me handle this my way. I don’t need your men. I have Enzo, and he will protect me. If I feel I need more, I get to choose who goes with me, even if I choose Giovanni.”

“Very well,” Bash says after thinking over his answer.

“Oh, I’m not done. Since we are negotiating. I want your assurance that you will not force an unwanted marriage on me.”

“Counteroffer. I will not force an arranged marriage on you, but I get a say in who you marry. When the time comes, you will let me meet him, vet him, and provide a stamp of approval.”

I grit my teeth. That’s the best I’m going to get.

“That’s a fair compromise. You have to have an actual reason to deny, though. Not because you don’t think he’s good enough.”

“I can agree to that. What else?”

I bite my lip. This is where the real test lies. How far is he willing to go? Am I really going to do this? Really ask for this? Once I do, there's no going back.

“Last thing. When this job is done, you let me out of the family. You let me go on and do my own thing.”

He goes deathly still, his eyes not leaving mine.

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