Page 13 of The Bonventi Rise
"Fine. Marry me."
The words hit me like a physical blow. I blink, certain I've misheard. "I'm sorry, what?"
Marco's face is a mask of calm determination. "You heard me. Marry me."
A hysterical laugh escapes my lips. "You can't be serious."
"I'm always serious about winning, Alina." His voice is low, intense. "You said it yourself—my bachelor status is my weakness. So let's eliminate it."
My mind reels. This can't be happening. It's like he's been steering me to this very moment.
"This is insane," I manage to say. "Okay, you're insane. You—you don't even know me."
"I know enough," Marco replies. "I know you're brilliant. I know you're ambitious. And I know that right now, you need me as much as I need you."
The nod to my situation, of Harrison, of the looming investigation. I feel my carefully constructed composure start to crack.
"You planned this," I accuse, anger seeping into my voice. "You knew about Harrison before anyone else. That's why you brought me here, isn't it?"
Marco doesn't deny it. Instead, he leans forward, his voice dropping even lower. "Let me remind you of two things, Alina. One, the governor is, in fact, guilty. Which means they'll be looking into every aspect of the case, especially at who led the campaign to discredit those women."
I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand, silencing me.
"And two, yes, I knew before anyone else. What does that tell you about my reach? Just to make myself crystal clear here, no one who works for me is touched, get it? If you're here helping me win, I can't have you in prison. So, maybe I make sure your name's cleared."
I take a deep breath through my nose and sit up straight. My mind is racing faster than it ever has before. A thousand thoughts flying by.
"So, what? This is blackmail? Is that what you're doing to me?"
Marco winces slightly at the word. "I hate that term. Let's call it a second chance. Or, the path that doesn't end with you in jail," he says.
"So this was never about my accolades and accomplishments, was it? You brought me here because I have campaignknowledge and what, you found me attractive? I'm not a whore, Mr. Bonventi."
I see his jaw tense up. "Let me be clear. The reason you entered my mind for the position, the reason you're here sitting across the table from me, is because of your professional success and my belief that there's no one better for this job. And yes, while you happen to be stunning, you're not here because of your looks," he says, adjusting his cufflinks. "I could get any woman I want, but for my campaign, I want the best in the business and, as I hope I'm making clear now—I believe that to be you. So, let's save some of that fire for the campaign trail."
I feel my breath coming faster, my heart pounding in my chest. This is too much. I need to think, to get away from his gaze and thinly veiled threats.
"I—I need a minute," I say, pushing back from the table.
Marco stands. "Of course. I have to make a call anyway. It should take about 15 minutes. That's all the time you have, Alina."
Before he walks away, he stops and turns back to me. "I'm going to win that Senate seat. It means too much to me to wait. The clock's ticking."
I watch Marco's retreating back, my hand trembling as I reach for my water glass. The conviction in his voice catches me off guard. I've worked with dozens of politicians, each claiming their burning desire to serve the public. But this—this is different. Even without the proposal, his intensity makes other candidates seem like children playing dress-up.
But he's right about one thing—I need this as much as he does. That's if he can protect me, and a part of me thinks that he can.
"Damn it," I say under my breath, realizing I'm actually considering this madness.
The room fades as I remember the way his eyes blazed when he talked about choosing me, about winning. No hesitation, no false modesty. Just pure, focused determination.
It's attractive. In a terrifying sort of way.
He has a magnetic quality drawing me in even as my instincts scream to run.
But maybe this proposition is exactly what I need it to be.
The thought is strangely freeing. I've spent my whole career navigating men's worlds, fighting to be taken seriously. But Marco, he's already treating me as an equal. Even this insane proposal is rooted in recognizing my skills, my value to his campaign.
