Page 41 of Knocked up by the Mafia

I stare at him for the longest moment and can see he doesn’t like it. I smile. “I’m not going.”

“I will remind you that there is a pecking order in this family, and you’re slowly slipping down it.”

I shake my head. “You are my family, Ivan. You are my blood. Why are you not happy I found someone I love and who loves me?”

Ivan looks at me and shakes his head. “Nat.”

“I’m going to rest, which is what I was doing at the pub. Let me know whenyoucome toyoursenses.” I’m not snarky about it; I’m gentle. But I need him to see how unreasonable he is.

I go out to the deck and lie down on the lounger. I cross my arms and stare out at the beach as a guard comes to stand by me.

“Let me guess; you’re to stay with me at all times?”

The guard doesn’t say anything, and I sigh. This is going to be tough, but maybe if I speak to Ivan’s mother, she can make him see sense. Or maybe Tori. I wonder where she is.

I sit there, lost in my thoughts. I must have dozed off because I jolt when I feel someone putting a blanket on me. I look up at Ivan sleepily. “What?”

“You looked like you were getting cold.” He sighs. “Nat, we should talk.”

“Sir.” There’s a knock at the door. “Apologies for interrupting, but we’ve received a message from the Quinns.”

Ivan sighs and nods. “What is it?”

“Ronan Quinn says that he will still take out the Dons that are hunting Natalia at no charge to yourself.” The guard looks at Ivan, who glares at him. He hurries away, and Ivan looks at me.

“I do not want to be indebted to those fuckers.” He glares at me. “Do you see the trouble this is causing?”

“He’s holding no debt against you,” I say calmly. “He said no charge. He’s doing it because I’m carrying someone related to him.”

Ivan shakes his head. “There’s always something behind the scenes with that man.”

“Then give me to them.” I look at him, tilting my head to the side.

Ivan raises an eyebrow. “I’ve just spent weeks fighting to get you back because I’m pretty sure you’ve been brainwashed, and now you want me to hand you over to the Quinns? As payment for saving your life.”

“I’m not a possession. You don’t own me, and neither do they. But by allowing me to marry Daniel, you would have paid your debt, and everyone would be happy, especially me.” I sit up and wrap the blanket around me. “Please, Ivan. Trust me with this.”

Ivan shakes his head and rests his arms on his knees, leaning forward. “What Alessandro and I have built hangs precariously in the balance. Everyone is waiting for one of us to show weakness. They will use that to infiltrate us and destroy us from the inside. I have to be careful how I lay my cards, and by giving into another enemy family, I am basically saying I’m a pushover.”

“Or that you’re a strong leader that creates alliances to further his family,” I push him, leaning forward as far as I can. “Someone who can avoid war with other factions and still gain. If I had to marry Daniel, we would have the Quinns on our side with my marriage. They are brute strength; it’s what they’re known for. Protective services. It’s their expertise.”

“You want me to draw up an alliance with Ronan Quinn? Call him my equal,” Ivan snorts. “You think you hold such a high position in this family that I would do that.”

I frown. “Yes, I did think I held that high a position. You let your daughter get engaged to your wife’s older brother, who also is low on the food chain. Why is it different for me?”

Ivan stands up. “Because it is.”

“You’re being childish.” I stand up. “Take away the fact I serve you as my Pakhan and be my cousin for ten minutes, Ivan.”

He takes me by my shoulders. “I am doing this because I love you.”

“You’re doing this to play at being king of New York, not because you’re taking what I want into consideration. You forget Ana may inherit the family, but Evgenii is second, which makes me third.” I keep firm, not breaking eye contact with him.

“Do you know there’s an Irish kid waiting for Natalia outside? I thought you didn’t want her near them?” We both turn as Alessandro walks in. He waves behind him, and I’m surprised to see Jarryd walk in behind him.

“Alessandro, why did you invite this child inside? Does Ronan send his baby brothers to do his bidding now?” Ivan yells.

Jarryd doesn’t even flinch. “He told me to get Natalia and bring her home. With your blessing.”

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