Page 32 of Nico (Belles & Mobsters 2)

I lifted my head again, meeting his eyes, and it felt like I was drowning in his stormy gaze, drowning in this situation that spiraled out of control.

I tugged on my hand, but he refused to let me shrink back.

“This time next week, we will be married,” he purred, dark possessiveness lingering beneath the surface.

“It’s too fast.” I felt trapped in a situation that screamed of dangers.

“Two years, Bianca. And I want your complete surrender.” He gave me the most beautiful smile, but I couldn’t help but wince. This was not going well. Not at all. It was like this man knew what to say to draw me into his web.

I swallowed hard. “You expect us to-” I couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“Yes, I expect you to be my wife in every sense of the word.”

Why?It was on the tip of my tongue to ask but it would be redundant. He wouldn’t tell me.

I swallowed hard. “What if we are-” I struggled for the right word, “... incompatible. And we can’t stand to live together? Or sleep together?”

His mouth barely tilted up, like he was certain that wouldn’t happen. “Then we can re-evaluate.”

“And we could shorten this agreement?” I asked hopefully. There was no sense in being married if we ended up being incompatible.

“We can discuss it,” he replied, never looking away. I mean, he maintained eye contact, so he must be telling the truth. Usually, people couldn’t look someone in the eye and lie to them. At least, I couldn’t.

I gulped, my throat dry while the adrenaline pumped through my veins.

“Earlier you said you wanted an heir. That’s off the table. Right?” Silently, I prayed he said yes. I couldn’t have children with this man.

If he said he expected children, I’d have to just tell him to kill me. I couldn’t have a kid with him and plan my escape. It was unfortunate too because being an only child, I always wanted a big family.

I was always jealous of my friends that had siblings. Yes, they annoyed each other, but they always stood by them when it counted. There was just some magic to large families and the love they shared. Being an only child was lonely.

Of course, after learning some facts related to my family, I wouldn’t have any more kids and subject them to the bullshit agreement.

“If a baby happens, great,” his voice portrayed no emotions. “If not, that’s fine too.”

I stared at him confused. I wasn’t sure if that was the right answer or not. He almost sounded like he wanted more children. It didn’t matter. I wouldn’t have any kids with him. Having a baby would tie me to him for life. I’d never be able to walk away from my own child.

“Are you shaking your head for ayesor ano?” he asked.

“I’m on birth control,” I told him. It was incredulous that we were having this conversation. “I won’t have any more kids. It wouldn’t be fair to bring a child into a world where the parents barely know each other.” Did that really come out of my mouth? “And your world is not very safe.”Neither is mine, I added silently.

Besides, if I had another girl, it would be one more person at risk from Benito King. But I couldn’t tell him that.

“Firstly, Bianca, you and our children will be protected,” he assured me with such confidence that I actually believed him. “My world is where you and our children will be the safest. And when I say our children, I mean the twins too.” He studied my face, as if he was waiting for something from me. “Yes, there are some rotten apples in my world, but I will keep them all away. Nobody will dare to touch you and our family.”

Did that include Benito King? I wished I could ask him without revealing too much. I didn’t know how to explain my blood connection to Benito King and get a confirmation that we were safe from him. Maybe I could somehow play it off to my mother’s mistress status to the cruel fucking asshole that happened to be my biological father?

No, I couldn’t trust this man. I couldn’t trust any of them. To put my fate into their hands would cost me more than just my life.

“Ok,” I agreed in a whisper. It sounded like a solemn promise, but I knew I’d break it at the first opportunity. For now, being tied to Nico Morrelli was the necessary outcome for the twins and I.

Maybe I was too naive and stupid to believe him. But didn’t Grandma always say that the mafia was big into protecting their own family - whether it was blood family or adopted family. It was pretty much the only good thing she ever said about them. So, I would go along with it until it was safe to leave.

Well, she also said marriage in the mafia was for life, my mind mocked. Ignoring all the glaring warnings, I focused on the positives. There was only so much shit I could take in a span of a day.

This gorgeous man in front of me was offering an escape. A temporary escape. It was too good to be true, and I knew I should be careful. He had secrets and reasons of his own for doing this. So I’d stash money aside until the opportunity came to take the kids and run. I would get my mom out too.

I was eager for the lifeline I had been thrown and had to be careful how I played my cards.

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