Page 23 of Marrying the Don of Fury

She hesitates, her expression thoughtful, “I-I don’t know.”

I nod once before getting to my feet, “Think about it, Evans. If you don’t want this, then you’re free.”

Even as I say the word, I feel a sharp twinge of regret. Because if it’s not Daniella, it’ll have to be some other woman. As the Don, I have a responsibility to marry, and not just anyone. I have to marry well, and marrying into the Evans family would give our family access to some resources and connections we wouldn’t have otherwise.

Also, now that I’m faced with the possibility of an end, I realize I don’t mind marrying her. She drives me nuts, but she also keeps things interesting. My own personal enigma.

“Christian,” she says, looking up at me, her voice soft and vulnerable. “Thank you.”

CHAPTER9

Daniella

“Sweetie, I’m only going to say this once and I need you to understand. You can’t say no.”

My eyes widen as I stare at my mother. When I called her over here, I had been hoping she would give me some advice on what to do. Christian left this morning after giving me a choice regarding this marriage. And after spending the entire morning unsure of what to do, I called her. I half-expected Christian not to authorize her visit, but since she’s family, I guess he decided to be lenient.

“What do you mean, I can’t say no?” I’m unable to mask my irritation. “This would be the best time to say no. The news isn’t out yet, we haven’t made any public appearances. Hell, he hasn’t even proposed. I’ve only been living here, trying to get to know him, but now that he’s given me a chance, why wouldn’t I agree?”

Her expression is calm as she looks at me. “Daniella, your father and I love you very much. We want what’s best for you. And right now, Christian D’Angelo is exactly that.”

I stare at her confused. “What does that even mean? He’s the head of a crime syndicate. In what world is he what’s best for me?”

“From where I’m sitting, the only hiccup you seem to have with Christian is his job. Tell me, in the month since you’ve been here, has he in any way treated you wrongly?”

“Are you kidding? I’m practically a prisoner here and when he’s around, we’re constantly at each other’s throats.”

“That sounds like petty arguments to me. And knowing you, you’re probably pushing that young man.”

“Young man?” I laugh wryly. Is my mother insane? “Mom, he has killed people. He literally admitted it to me.”

“Everyone does terrible things when they have to.”

“Not fucking murder,” I say, dumbfounded. “What’s going on? As my mother, you should be telling me to accept Christian’s offer and get out while I still can. Do you want me to end up dead!”

The words come out shriller than I intended.

“I love you, Dany. And I’m always trying to do what’s right for you. I wouldn’t willingly push you into a situation that wouldn’t be beneficial to you.”

“No, but you’d push me into the mafia,” I say dryly.

“You’d be well protected. Sweetheart, there is more to this life than you know and we are only doing what we think is best,” she counters. “Christian seems like an honorable man. And he holds a lot of power in New York. I know you’d be safe, comfortable, maybe even happy.”

“You want me to marry someone I don’t have any feelings for?”

She leans forward to take my hand in hers. “Finding love before marriage is a privilege that doesn’t exist in our world, my sweet.”

“Why don’t you come out and say it?” I ask, my chest growing hot. “You want me to do this for Daddy. Because despite how it would affect me, in the end, this marriage would be beneficial to Evans Industries. He’s selling me to build his empire.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I say the words. I berate myself for feeling hurt in the first place. I should have expected this, anticipated it. If it isn’t Christian now, eventually, I’d find myself in an arranged marriage with some other man with money and connections.

“Your father loves you. I love you. And this arrangement was made so long ago but we thought it was the best arrangement possible. I know it’s not what you wanted but you will learn to be happy. You have a duty to your family,” my mom says softly.

“Mom, can you go?” I ask, my voice low and cold.

“What?”

“I need you to leave, okay? I can’t even look at you right now.”

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