Page 48 of Raphael (Belles & Mobsters 5)

The woman could be annoying. It would be easier if she’d just listen and agree. But this woman seemed to be overly opinionated.

“What made you publish that article?” I asked her.

Anger flashed in her eyes. “How about the fact that women were being smuggled? Tortured. Raped.”

She shot me a glare, as if she held me personally responsible for it.

“It’s despicable, I agree.” Her eyes narrowed into slits. “But it would have been easier to let others handle it.”

“Well, they weren’t handling it,” she spat out. “The police gave me some shitty excuse of probable cause.”

“So you were planning to bring the whole cartel down on your own,” I mused.

“If I had to,” she hissed.

“So why is a woman from your upbringing even interested in things like that?” She stiffened, her complexion paling slightly. “Pampered princesses usually don’t care for the trouble of others.

“My upbringing? Pampered princess?”Madre de Dios.This woman got pissed off by anything I said. “Why don’t you worry about your questionable upbringing? You’re the criminal, not me. Pampered criminal.”

“And you’re the one trying to get yourself and my half-brother killed.”

“You… you son of a-”

“Careful, Sailor,” I warned her in a low tone. “Careful how you finish that sentence.” A flicker of fear entered her eyes. I regretted seeing it there, but she better learn now how far she could go. “Don’t speak ill of my mother.” Or else hung in the air.

“How lovely,” she muttered, a false bravado in her voice. She was scared, there was no mistaking it. “A criminal with a soft side.”

“You better learn to appreciate it,” I told her, leaning back into my seat and downing the rest of my scotch. “Because we are to be married.”

She blinked. Then blinked again.

Uncertainty entered her eyes and her lips curved into a grimace or half-smile, as if she tried to decide whether I was joking or not.

“Yeah, in your dreams buddy.”

I signaled the flight attendant for another drink. Fuck, I’d need the entire bottle to deal with this frustrating woman.

Once my refill arrived and the attendant disappeared back in the cockpit of the plane, I returned my attention to Sailor who looked like a deer caught in my headlights.

“Youwillmarry me,” I told her firmly. “If you want to live.”

“Listen,Raphael,” she started, her lips curving with disgust when she uttered my name. “First, the worst damn proposal. Ever! Secondly, you’re not my type. And lastly, I- I-.” Her words faltered. For some reason, she didn’t want to give me the third reason. “Well, two reasons are quite enough.”

“Now you listen to me,Reina de nieve.” Snow queen. It suited her. With that silvery blonde hair and blue eyes that could ice over when she was pissed off. Except, I was certain there was nothing icy in this woman, but I loved getting her riled up. “I don’t care if you live or die.”Lie. I so fucking cared. “But I care what happens to Gabriel. And our marriage will show friend and foe that you two are under my protection.”

“Call me ice queen again and I’ll ice your fucking balls,” she threatened. I didn’t bother correcting her on the meaning ofnieve. “Or cut them off.” We locked gazes, the battle of wills like a hurricane through the air. “Can’t you send out a memo?”

“No.”Really, a memo!

“I’m not marrying you,” she protested. “I can figure something out.”

“Are you willing to risk your son’s life on ‘figuring something out’?” I was pushing her hard. I was fixated on Sailor and I didn’t give a shit how I got her, as long as I got her. Yes, her safety and Gabriel’s was a priority, but I refused to give her up. I’d make hermine.

I couldn’t stomach letting her go.

“But marriage?” she grumbled. “That’s a huge step.”

“Well, you were eventually going to get married.” She rolled her eyes. “I might not be Aaron Kennedy but unlike him, I can keep you and Gabriel safe.”

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