Page 110 of Crazed

So the truth drives me to make sure I keep her so close, she'll never have another opportunity to waiver again.

She'll never again be at Leo's mercy.

There won't be any opportunity for her to get caught in any other thug's trap again.

"Massimo? You would force me?" she repeats, horror growing in her expression.

I wouldn't force her, but I would manipulate things until I convinced her to say yes. Still, I tell a half lie. "No. I wouldn't force you. Now, tell me you want to marry me."

More silence fills the room. She bites on her lip and pulls on her fingers. The thumping of my pulse between my ears grows louder. She tilts her head then asks, "How would that work?"

"You say I do. I say I do. We work extra hard to put my baby in your belly," I tease, wiggling my eyebrows.

A tiny laugh escapes her lips, then her smile falls. Lines form on her forehead as she pins her brows together. More confusion plagues her expression. She replies, "How does it work with Leo?"

Anger ignites in my belly. Leo's on borrowed time right now. I thought I made it clear, yet she still doesn't trust I'll handle him. I snap, "You still don't believe me when I say I'll protect you, do you?"

She opens her mouth then shuts it.

"Say whatever it is you're thinking," I demand, irritated over her lack of belief in me.

She scoots closer and places her hands on the sides of my head. She confesses, "This is all new to me, Massimo. I've lived in fear of Leo for so long, I..." She turns away and blows out a big breath of air.

Her statement tugs at my heartstrings. That monster put her through so much that I can't even fathom how she survived. I soften my voice, turn her chin toward me, and demand, "Finish your sentence. I want to know what you're thinking."

She squeezes her eyes shut then pins them on me, tugging on my heart strings further. She frets, "I don't know how to do all this."

"Do what exactly?"

She slowly shrugs, confessing, "Be Mrs. Massimo Marino. Have babies. Become part of your family when they already hate me. Once they find out what I was going to do to you..." She takes a deep breath then continues, "They'll never accept me."

I tighten my arms around her. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes. You're the only person in the world I trust."

"Is that true?" I question.

"Yes."

"Okay. Then stop worrying. You marry me, become my wife, and all the baby stuff we'll figure out like every other couple. You leave my family to me. They will accept you. In fact, I promise you, they'll eventually love you as much as I do," I vow, determined to fulfill my statement.

"Love me? How?"

"Leave it to me, dolce."

The anxiety doesn't leave her face. A few moments pass, and she yawns. I realize I'm tired, too, and notice the red in her eyes. I slide down the bed and tug her with me. She rests her head on my chest, palming my heart, then asks in a tiny voice, "Are you serious about marrying me?"

I tilt her chin so I can look in her eyes. "I've never been so sure about anything in my life."

She blinks hard. "Really?"

I peck her on the lips. "Yes. Now, tell me you'll marry me and have my babies."

She softly laughs. A spark lights in her exhausted orbs. She smiles then nods. "Okay. I'll marry you."

Happiness shoots through every atom of my being. I tighten my arm around her and slowly kiss her, deepening it for several moments until my erection returns. I hold in my groan and retreat, asserting, "Good girl. Now try to sleep. We still have a long flight ahead of us."

Silence fills the cabin, but she breaks it. "Massimo?"

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