Page 16 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
The air shifts, I can feel the weight of my father’s gaze on me. I can feel my uncle’s tension beside me.
“She doesn’t wish to marry Liam,” my father repeats slowly.
Father Dominic nods. “No. She has come to me, expressing her feelings. She believes she would be happier with someone else.” His gaze flickers to me, just for a second. “She wants to marry Massimo.”
My father exhales slowly, his hands steepling beneath his chin. He turns to my mother, then to my uncle, before finally settling on me.
The way he looks at me is the same look he gave me when I told him I was ready to step into the family business. When I proved myself, showing him I’m capable of handling blood on my hands.
“Do you understand what you are asking of us?” my father questions. His voice isn’t raised, but it doesn't need to be. “You’re asking us to go against the Irish.”
Maria’s uncle nods, his expression unreadable. “I know.”
“You are asking us to break an arrangement that has been in place for years, by your family,” my father continues. “An arrangement that, once broken, could lead to retaliation.” My father had the same conversation with me, but he also told me that the family will stick together if Maria’s uncle agrees to this marriage.
“I know,” Father Dominic says again, his voice firm.
“And you’re asking for our protection.”
This time, he hesitates.
Maria’s eyes dart toward me, just for a second. I can see it, the worry, the flicker of doubt, the weight of what this means, for her uncle.
But I can also see something else. Determination.
She doesn’t want Liam. She wants me.
My father leans back, exhaling through his nose. He turns his gaze toward me once more, as if studying me.
“Maria,” his voice quieter now, more controlled. “Is this truly what you want?”
She swallows hard, her eyes darting between me and my father, but she nods. “Yes.”
He regards her for a long moment before shifting his attention back to her uncle. “And what will the Irish do when they find out?”
Maria’s uncle hesitates before answering. “They will be angry. I won’t pretend otherwise.” He exhales. “But Maria is the only family have left, and I will not force her into something that will make her miserable. I will find a way to handle the O’Brien’s.”
I can almost feel my father’s smirk, though he doesn’t show it outright.
“You will find a way,” he repeats. “And if that fails?”
I already know the answer. If it fails, it will be a war.
Maria’s uncle straightens. “Then I will trust in God to guide me through it.”
My father hums, his fingers tapping against the table. “God,” he murmurs. “Yes. I’m sure he’ll be very helpful.” I almost laugh at my father’s reply.
But I don’t.
Instead, I keep my eyes on Maria. She isn’t looking at me anymore, she’s watching my father, waiting for his answer.
Finally, after what feels like an eternity, my father exhales, nodding once.
“We will discuss this privately,” my father says. “But if we agree, understand that Maria will become one of us.” His gaze flickers toward her now, eyes dark, assessing. “She will be protected. She will be mine to keep safe. But she will also be mine to discipline if needed.”
Maria’s body tenses, staring at her father.
Her uncle’s jaw tightens, but still he nods. “I understand, but there is something else I need to tell you about Maria and the O’Brien’s and the arrangement which was made before all of this.”
