Page 70 of Sin City Obsession

Alfonso’s jaw fell open, the cigar slipping almost completely out of his mouth.

“But I haven’t told her that yet,” Rocco continued, speaking calmly despite the pit of nausea continuing to form inside. “I know what family means to her, and I know what I would need to ask of her would be difficult. So I wanted to ask you first, if I could have your blessing, as Alessa’s father.”

Alfonso cleared his throat sharply and roughly snuffed out the cigar. “You … don’t think that’s a little fast?”

Rocco shook his head. “I think I would cease to breathe if she were taken from this world.”

Alfonso was quiet for several seconds, his brow furrowed. “And Alessa,” he finally said, “do you know how she feels? Do youknow?”

The nausea in his stomach began to ease and Rocco’s smile returned. “She’s already told me. But that, I believe, is something you should ask her. I would have reason to lie, after all.”

Alfonso laughed quietly. “I suppose you would.” He drew a breath. “She has responsibilities here, you know. To the family.”

Rocco nodded. “I’m meeting with the De Salvos tonight, to discuss other matters,” he said. “I intend to take the opportunity to also speak to Dante about my intentions regarding Alessa. I don’t want my proposal to her to be seen as a betrayal. And I want her to be able to answer only for herself—not out of guilt or duty.”

Alfonso studied him for a long minute. Then he reached for his cigar and frowned when he realized he’d already snuffed it. “Damn. Got distracted.” He sighed and set it down again. “You’re in love with my little girl.”

It wasn’t a question, but Rocco answered anyway. “I am.”

“You know she’s not your typical mafia woman.”

Rocco smiled wide. “I’ve seen her work.”

Pride gleamed in Alfonso’s eyes. “If you mean what you say, really mean it, and she feels the same, then you have my blessing. But we’ll expect to stay in her life. So that’ll have to be figured out.” He drew another breath. “And you’ll need to straighten things out with Mr. De Salvo before you ask.”

Rocco held out his hand. “You have my word.” He paused, and as his future father-in-law took his hand, he asked, “Just one thing. Are you open to having a vacation house in Las Vegas?”

Chapter twenty-one

Separation

Rocco scowled out thewindow as Las Vegas slowly came into view. They would be back on solid ground in a comparative handful of minutes and he ought to have been grateful. But he had too much on his mind.

As soon as they landed, things were going to happen fast. It was the only way to hopefully keep the war he’d never wanted from becoming some long, drawn-out thing that marred his entire reign. He recognized that. Herecognized that that was the reason behind the choices he’d made over the past twenty-four hours.

But already he could feel an emptiness growing inside him.

Cristiano lowered back into the seat across from Rocco and clicked his belt into place. “Your face says you’re having second thoughts.”

Rocco bit back a sigh. “No. This is the best way.”

Cristiano made a low sound and turned his head, watching as the jet began its descent. “Distance is hard,” he said after several seconds. “Even when the reason is solid.”

Rocco cut his eyes back to the larger man.

Cristiano met his stare. “You just have to remember it’s temporary.”

He wasn’t wrong. Rocco had every intention of going back to Newark when this was over, just so he could personally reclaim the woman he’d left behind. She would probably still be furious with him, but he’d take that. He intended to take all of her.

What he truly regretted was deciding not to ask her, formally, before running off to slaughter the Sobols. In the moment, he’d thought it was the smarter choice. He’d justified to himself that if the worst happened—which was the whole reason he wasn’t letting her return to Vegas with him—it would be easier for her to move on, to move forward, if she never fully grasped what they should have been. He’d viewed it as protecting her.

The moment the jet had rolled into motion, effectively forcing him to stick to that choice, Rocco had realized he’d made a mistake. He should have proposed before leaving, not so she might know what could have been, but so she would bereassured while she was relegated to sitting at home on the other side of the country and waiting. Instead, he’d left her with nothing but a kiss and a promise. Words.

He should have given her the fucking ring, not kept it hidden in his pocket.

It’s too late for that.Rocco blew out an aggravated breath as the jet touched down. All he could do was see this plan through, as quickly as possible, and return to her. If he had to get on his knees to convince her of his apology after, so be it.

No one in the cabin spoke until the jet came to a full stop. The seatbelt light went dim and the pilot’s voice came over the intercom. “Your car is approaching now, sir. Welcome back to Las Vegas.”

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