Page 67 of Merciless Desires

“We’re all going to benefit from it.” My father touched my face. “The Bilotti family is considered a branch of the Malatesta family. We will grow stronger together.”

“Thank you.” I got up and hugged my dad. “I love him more than you’ll ever know.”

“Treat my daughter well, Gio, or no alliance will ever save you.” My father smirked. “That’s a promise.”

“I will treat her like the royalty she is.” Gio stood and put his arm around me. “That’s a promise, princess.”

“What about Aldo?” I asked. “Will he be a problem?

“Aldo will be handled. You won’t have to worry about him,” my father assured us. “He went against my family when he tried to have Gio shot and you kidnapped. The Bilotti brothers saved me from a treacherous alliance, and the Calabrese family will have to answer for all their misdeeds.” He headed for the door. “But that isn’t for either of you to worry about.”

“My brothers and I will help in any way we can,” Gio said.

“Celebrate the revelation of my grandchild.” My father nodded. “Tomorrow, we’ll talk about wedding plans.”

“Papa! Gio hasn’t asked me to marry him.”

“He will.” My dad left the room.

“Sorry.” I rolled my eyes. “He has no filter.”

“You don’t have to have a filter when you’re the head of everything.” Gio took both my hands in his. “It’s been a wild night.”

“What?” I laughed. “We haven’t even started our night.”

“My little Cin, what am I going to do with you?”

“I have a few ideas.”

“So do I.” He dropped down on one knee, keeping one of my hands in his.

“Gio, what are you doing?” I put my hand over my mouth. “You don’t have to do this. My father wasn’t serious.”

“We both know he was.” He smiled at me with his perfectly white teeth and irresistible lips. “But that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m also not going to ask this question because you’re having our baby.”

“You’re not?”

“If you haven’t noticed, I tend to do what I want when I want.”

“That’s what I love most about you,” I said.

“There’s going to come a day when you ask people if they know who your husband is instead of who your father is.”

“Who do you think my husband will be?” I teased him.

“I know your husband will be me.”

“I’ll let you in on a little secret.” I gazed into his eyes. “I already knew that.”

“Yeah.” He smirked. “I know you did.”

“I’m glad you caught up.”

“I’ll admit I didn’t come here prepared to learn that I’m going to be a father, and I don’t have the ring that’s supposed to go with this proposal, but we can rectify that tomorrow.”

“I don’t need a ring.”

“Says my Versace girl.” He laughed. “I don’t believe you.”

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