Page 20 of Innocent Union
Antonio sighs. “Killian, don’t.”
All eyes turn to me. I can feel Cecilia watching me, and my petty side wants to prove to her I can find love, too. That she’s not the only one who gets a happy ending.
So, I open my mouth and say, “I think it’s a good idea.”
Chaos descends on the family dinner.
CHAPTER 5
Mia
Mom stands, obviously flustered. “No. It’s not a good idea.”
As Antonio tries to calm Mom down, Cecilia turns to me and asks, “Do you really think it’s a good idea to go against what Mom wants?”
“You did,” I say, making her flinch.
Nina and Theo remain quiet. I’m sure Gemma will be disappointed to know she missed all the drama.
Luca watches the proceedings with wide eyes while Lucia looks disappointed I’m the center of everyone’s attention.
And lastly, there’s Killian, sitting back in his chair and smiling at me. I don’t understand why he would even want to marry me to begin with. Ok, sure. It make sense politically. But there’s a twinkle in Killian’s eye that speaks to more than politics. It’s almost as if he …likesme, andthat, I don’t understand.
“You,” Mom says, pointing a finger at Killian, “are not marrying my daughter.”
“Ma.” Antonio puts his hand on Mom’s arm. “Just calm down, ok. I can talk this through with Killian.”
“What is there to talk about?” Killian asks. “Both Mia and I think a marriage between us is a good idea. So, why not go for it?”
Mom looks like she’s about to start screaming at Killian when Antonio cuts in and says, “I mean … I don’t think it’s the worst idea.”
“What?” Mom whips around to stare at Antonio. “What do you mean?”
Antonio shrugs. “I mean, Mom, Killian is a good man. He’d treat Mia right. And once he takes down Patrick O’Connell, he’ll easily become head of the Irish mob. He’ll have my backing. It would be a good, secure alliance. It’s really not a bad idea at all.”
“How could you?” Mom whispers.
“Ma,” Antonio sighs, “I’m the boss. I know I made some mistakes when it came to Cecilia, and I don’t want to do the same to Mia. If both Killian and Mia are comfortable with getting married, then … I’m on board.”
“You would do this to me? Your own mother?”
“This isn’t about you, Mom,” he says. “This is about Mia. What does Mia want?”
When everyone turns to look at me, I resist the urge to slump back into my seat.
“What do you want, Mia?” Antonio asks.
“I have to make a decision right now?”
Antonio looks at me with kind eyes. “We do. The sooner you’re married, the sooner we can put everything with Cecilia and Theo to rest. If you’re married, people won’t talk about you anymore.”
I turn to Killian. Do I really want this? I’m still not sure why Killian is interested in me. But he’s my best chance.
“Ok,” I finally say. “I’ll agree to it.”
Killian gives me a soft smile that feels like it’s only for me to see.
Mom slumps into her seat with a groan. “I can’t believe this.”
