Page 140 of Dangerous King
Izzy sighs, shoulders slumping. "It's about safety."
"It's about keeping her alive," Enrico replies, dark eyes on me again. "And making her mine before someone else tries to take her."
My cheeks flame. But I don't look away.
"I'm not a pawn," I say quietly.
His gaze doesn't flinch. "You never were."
Sabine mutters, "Youdorealize this is the most terrifyingly romantic thing I've ever witnessed?"
"I'm serious," I say, looking at all of them. "I don't want a wedding because of pressure or fear or tactics."
"You want it because it's right," Eliza says gently. "And because it's time."
Mamma nods rapidly. "It's time. I know you feel it in your heart." Her eyes brim. "I see you when you look at him, Catalina. You're already his."
Enrico steps toward me slowly, his hand reaching out but not touching, just hovering near mine.
"I'm not trying to control you," he says, his voice raw. "I just don't want to lose you."
Tears sting the back of my throat, and slowly, I nod once. "I don't want to lose you either."
Eliza sighs, but she's smiling now. "We'll pull it off. But give us two weeks."
Enrico doesn't look happy about the delay, but nods, "Two."
Izzy looks down at her phone and groans. "Fine. I'll call Maison Étoile and warn them we're coming like the wrath of hell in heels."
Mamma beams. "Perfect."
Enrico takes my hand, finally, and presses a kiss to my knuckles. "You okay, Piccolina?"
"No," I whisper. "But I will be. Just don't leave."
His eyes soften. "Not ever."
I follow Enrico outside, away from the prying eyes and ears of our family. I know him well enough to know that he won't show his true emotions in front of his mother and sister. I put my hand on his chest. "Talk to me."
He takes a deep breath. "I'm worried." At an encouraging nod from me, he runs his hand through his hair, unused to expressing his true emotions. "We don't know who is behind it. His own guards turned against him. It has to be an inside attack, which makes me wonder…" he drifts off. "If Edoardo is behind it, or Carlos, or…" he laughs roughly because he doesn't want it to be true, "…or Ledyanoy Prizrak."
"Any of the three could be responsible," he continues, "that's the problem. We have too many enemies right now to take chances."
"But if it was your Don behind it, then… I thought he made peace with us getting married."
He opens his mouth, then something passes through his eyes, and he closes it. "Enrico," I squeeze his arm, "it's me. We're partners, remember."
He sighs and pulls me against him, "I love you."
"I love you too. Now spill." I push against his chest; I want to see his eyes.
"I don't trust Edoardo. He's a scorpion, and a scorpion's nature is to sting, no matter if it is in their best interest or not." He thinks for a moment, "I'm worried he'll come after us, you and me, but I don't see any reason for him to have gone after Marcello."
"So you think it's Ledyanoy Prizrak."
He shrugs humorlessly, "Or Roberto, who the fuck knows?"
Something tickles at the back of my mind. I remember Donna Margarita's warning at the ball, but she was threateningme. Marcello has nothing to do with that. I don't want to worry Enrico; he has enough on his plate. Donna Margarita is just that, a bitter old woman.
