Page 51 of Devilish King (Valentino Empire 1)

“Why do we have to be married? Why the rush?” I ask. I’m trying to understand his urgency. I really am.

“I may have lied and told Lana’s brother—the new head of her family—that we eloped two days ago. He was pushing that bullshit union again, and at the time, it was the only way I could think to shut it down. And then you went and made things worse by holding a gun to his head. He’s not going to forget that, Holly. He will want revenge, and if he finds out we’re not married… well, you’re not protected, and he can do whatever he wants without consequence. This way, I have the backing of the other families. You’re guaranteed their protection as well as my own.”

I pull out my phone. I may not be able to tell Reilly everything, but I need to hear her voice. I need clarity, and my sister gives me that.

“What are you doing?”

“Calling my sister, or is that not allowed?” I ask sarcastically.

“You’re allowed to do whatever you want, Holly.”

“As long as I don’t leave, right?” The moment the words are out of my mouth, I know I’ve hurt him. It was the first thing he made me promise, and I intend to stick to that promise. Despite this situation he’s gotten us into…

Us.I’ve never really been part of anusbefore. I really like it. Damn him.

I dial Reilly’s number and wait for her to answer. “Holly! Oh. My. God! I was just about to call you. Have you heard?” she squeals through the receiver.

“Heard what?” I ask.

“Dad’s getting an early release, something about how his lawyer found a flaw in the paperwork or something. I don’t understand it, but I don’t care. Dad’s getting out next week.”

“What?” I look up to Theo, who is wearing his poker face. He knew this was going to happen. I didn’t believe him. Did he do this? That’s crazy… How could he have done this?

“Dad’s getting released. Look, I know you start your new job next week, but you’ll come home over Christmas break, right? You have to come home.”

“Um, Rye, I gotta go. I’ll call you back. I’ll see what I can do about Christmas.” I hang up before she can say anything else. “I-I need to go to the bathroom.” I try to hold back the tears. It’s hard.

“Neo, I'll call you later,” Theo says, without dropping his eyes from mine.

“Sure, boss.” Neo pauses in front of me before he exits the room, the click of the door echoing in the silence.

“I-I need to go to the bathroom,” I say again.

“No, you don’t. You don’t need to hide from me, Holly. Not ever.” Theo picks me up and places me on his lap so I’m straddling him.

I can’t stop it anymore; the tears fall down my face. I’m crying in front of him. I don’t cry in front of people. I bury my head into his chest and let him comfort me, as his hands run up and down my back.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Holding a sobbing Holly in my arms breaks my otherwise-dead heart. Every fiber of my being lives for this woman. In the short time I’ve known her, she’s become my everything. I don’t know the right words. I’m fucking up royally today. And I need to fucking fix it.

I need to get us back to the good… to the happy place we were in this morning. “Holly, dolcezza, talk to me. What’s wrong? Tell me how to fix it for you.”

“I-I… my dad’s getting out, Theo. He’s getting an early release.” She picks up her head and looks at me. “Did you do this? Did you have something to do with this?” she asks.

“I thought this was what you wanted, dolcezza. I thought you’d be happy,” I say, confused. Is she not happy about this?

“I am happy, but, Theo, he killed a man. Went to his house and shot him, without even blinking. How is he getting released?”

“Holly, he shot the man who killed his son. He served justice, where the system failed. Your father is not a bad person for loving his children.”

“I guess. But he killed someone for Dylan... What do you think he’s going to do to you when he finds out we’re married?” She smiles.

“Well, I think I can handle whatever he brings at me. Besides, your family will love me. What’s not to love?” I joke. “Wait, you saidwhen he finds out we’re married… Does this mean you’ll sign the papers?” I hold my breath. I really do not want to have to forge her signature, but I will if it comes down to it.

“I’ll sign the papers, on one condition.”

“Name it—anything.”

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