Page 25 of Up to Snow Good
“Don’t look so surprised. I’ve lived in this family a long time. I have my spies around the compound, too.” She ruffled my hair. I leaned into her touch. “I know my father wants me to marry him. That’s why I wanted to spend Christmas up here.”
I grabbed her hand.
“You’re taking off?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “No way am I marrying into theSineziliofamily. Besides, have you seen Johnny? He’s like a foot shorter than me, and he always looks like he needs a good shower with a high-powered hose.”
I chuckled.
“When did you find out? When did you decide?” I pulled her down to sit in my lap.Coconut and flowers aroma danced in my nose.
“About a month ago. I’ve put away enough. I figured I could disappear, no problem.” She ran a hand through my hair. “I was just hoping you would come with me.”
I pushed her off my lap onto the bed and stood. I needed some distance.
“I can’t.” I couldn’t even look at her. The air grew thick and made it hard to breathe. I clutched my chest.
“Why not?”
“Listen, Amari, I love you. I don’t want to see you go, but I understand, but my advice, marry the guy?”
“How can you ask me to do that?” She stood.
“It may be selfish of me, but it’s the only way we’ll be able to still be in each other’s life.” I dropped my head. “Even if we can’t be together, at least I’ll know you’re safe. You’ll be protected.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She stepped back.
“You said it yourself—you’ve lived in our world for a long time. You know the business we are in, the people we deal with.” I gripped her shoulders. “The love we have doesn’t last in our world. It gets torn up and destroyed, and we will end up hurting each other, resenting each other, or worse, mourning each other for the rest of our lives. At least this way, we have these amazing memories.”
“I don’t want memories.” Amari crossed her hands over her chest. “I want you.”
“Mari, I can’t come with you.” I approached her and grabbed her shoulders. I’d shake her if it I had to. Until she understood. “If I come with you, they come after me and not just to bring me back. No, they will come to kill me, and if you get caught in the crossfire... If I’m gone, I can’t protect you.”
“So you want me to marry him?” She pushed my hands off of her and walked backward. Her expression of disgust hurt my heart. “You can sit back and watch Johnny kiss me and touch me. You imagine our wedding night. Whattype of lover do you think he will be?”
“Amari.”
“No. Tell me Caden.”She shuddered. “You think he’s the type of man who will romance me. No, I imagine he will take what he wants.”
The thought of him touching her made me sick.
“You think I’ll be protected?” she yelled. “My father thinks selling me toSineziliogives him leverage, power. It doesn’t.”
I put my head in my hands. She was right. The move to join the families wasn’t realistic—it was a hoax. Giving Amari’s father a false sense of security. Why didn’t I see it before?
“You’re right. You have to go.”
“Come with me.”
“I can’t live with the fact that I put you in danger for my own selfish reasons.” I stepped in front of her. “If I stay behind, I can make sure they never get near you again.”
Tears spiked her eyes.
“You know it’s for the best.” I pulled her to me. I cradled the back of her head, the hair tickling my palm. “I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you get a chance to have a life.” I pulled her back towards the bed and sat down. She sat next to me, clinging to me. “You won’t have to look over your shoulder because I’ll always be watching, looking out for danger.”
“I’m scared.” She whimpered. Her tears seeped through my shirt.
“I know,” I leaned back.“You can do it. You’re Amari fucking McCoy. You’re the bravest person I know.”
