Page 17 of Welcome to the Sins of Blackstone
My father leans forward slightly. “Then let’s discuss how we’re going to handle the Irish.”
The conversation has ended, but the tension in the room still presses against my skin. My father and Maria’s uncle have agreed to discuss things further, but I already know how this will go.
When Father Dominic told us about the arrangement for Maria, I wanted to punch something. It made it very clear why he wanted our protection, and for good reason, and my father and I have vowed to protect them both, but no matter what she chose me, that's all that matters.
The moment my father and her uncle leave the room, she stays behind. Her breathing is uneven, and for the first time since this conversation started, she isn't looking at her uncle, she’s watching me.
I don’t move at first, just study her. She looks nervous. Maybe even a little unsure.
“You got what you wanted, Angel,” I murmur, stepping closer.
She sucks in a breath but doesn’t step back. “You think this is what I wanted?” she asks softly.
“You told your father you wouldn’t marry Liam. You told him you had feelings for me.” I tilt my head slightly. “Was that a lie?”
Her lips part slightly, but she doesn’t answer. I lift a hand, tracing my knuckles over her cheek. “Tell me, Maria. Did you mean it?
She swallows hard. “I—” She pauses, then straightens her shoulders. “Yes. I meant it.”
“Then why do you look so unsure?”
Her brows furrow, and she glances toward the door, making sure we’re alone before answering.
“Because this isn’t just about us,” she whispers. “You know that. The O’Brien’s aren’t going to let this happen easily. I fear for my uncle, because I’ve put my feelings above his safety.” She blinks and tears escape her beautiful eyes. “I put him in danger…for a kiss. For a feeling I still don’t fully understand.”
I wipe the tears aways, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Let them try to hurt him.”
“Massimo-” my name escapes softly from her lips, and it sounds so sweet it jolts my dick. “My uncle is all I have and I’m scared.”
She peeks up, her eyes searching mine for something. I don’t know what she expects to find. Maybe a promise that everything will be okay. But I never make promises like that, because we know in our life no one is safe.
Instead, I tell her, “You’re mine now, Maria. They’ll have to go through me.”
She leans her head on my chest. I know she wants to cry but is holding herself together, which tells me one thing. She’s strong enough for my life.
We arrived back home laterthan we thought, the tension still thick between us. My father sits at the head of the dining table, my mother beside him, my uncle across from her. Camilla and my younger brother sit toward the end, both watching with interest.
I didn’t want to leave Maria while she was still feeling so crappy about the situation we’re in, but I know we have to have a family meeting about this. It’s not just her family we’re putting in danger, it’s my family too.
My father leans back in his chair, drumming his fingers against the table. “So,” he says slowly, eyes on me. “We’re really doing this.”
My mother is glancing at me now, always the loving soft expression on her face. “You understand what this means, don’t you?” she asks gently.
“Yes.” My dad laughs at my word, and I look over to him.
“There’s hesitation in your voice, son. Why?” The question hits hard. I glance at each member of my family. I get Maria worrying about her uncle, but he’s a persistent bastard. No one’s stupid enough to kill him. Our family and the Irish will bring war without even thinking about anyone I love.
“Massimo?” my dad asks again.
“I want her, the moment I saw Maria, I knew I wanted her. But the danger I will put you all in, I don’t?—”
“Massimo, I see it. The way you look at her, if you walk away from her, you will never look at anyone else the same.” My mother smiles and glances at my father. “This family is at war with almost everyone; we know one day the war will go wrong and we can lose someone, but I can see it in my son's eyes. You’re falling in love with her.”
I let her words sit with me for a moment. Is it love when you can’t stop thinking about someone? Is it love that I’ve never even slept with her, but all I want to do is see her smile? Fuck.
Before I speak, my dad clears his throat, and I regard him steadily as he smiles at his brother then turns to me.
“Then we prepare for war.”
