Page 104 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

When I released her mouth, she pressed herself against my chest, leaning her cheek on it. I rocked the two of us from side to side as I held her, never wanting to let go.

“My father isn’t happy with me. He’s been monitoring my activities so I couldn’t come any sooner. I’m sorry I had to make you come back here, Ari. It’s not what I wanted.”

“It’s okay. I understand. I’m not good enough for him.”

My arms tightened around her. The fact my father had told her that pissed me off. It didn’t matter where she came from. It mattered who she was. Ari was the only person I wanted by my side. She was my match. The equal I’d never aspired to find. I didn’t want to bind myself to another person the way I did her. My stance on marriage hadn’t changed, but I’d give Arianna something more. I’d pledge my entire life to her, protect her and give her anything she wanted because she’d given me something so fucking precious. Her heart.

“I hope you know I don’t feel that way.”

“I do. And I don’t care what he says either. You’re mine.”

My heart squeezed in my chest. It happened every time she said it. Told me I was hers. I’d never wanted to belong to anyone before her.

She looked up at me a moment later.

“Are you going to fix this?”

There was the woman I was utterly enamoured with. She wasn’t afraid to demand answers from me.

“Yes. I’m working on it.”

I pulled away and led her over to the bed, forcing her to sit down. There were a lot of things I needed to explain to Ari. I set about picking up her clothes before kneeling at her feet so I could dress her.

“My father is a powerful man. No one says no to him… well, that’s not strictly true. I’ve said no to a lot of things. If he had his way, I wouldn’t have Desecration, and I’d be his perfect obedient heir, standing by his side, learning the ropes from him and ready to take over the mafia at a moment’s notice.”

Ari snorted and rolled her eyes as she put her arms up so I could put her t-shirt over her head.

“I can’t imagine you being obedient to anyone.”

“I maintain the illusion I am to him. I had no real reason to go against his word until you. He doesn’t get to take you away from me.”

She reached out and cupped my face.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I sighed and took her hand away from my face, pressing a kiss to it.

“I wish that was true, but if I don’t do something, he will take you away from me… permanently.”

Her eyes clouded over and her face paled slightly.

“You mean he’d… he’d…”

“Yes.”

My father would have Ari killed if I didn’t give her up.

“I’m not telling you this to scare you, Tink. I’m telling you so you understand the consequences of me going against my father’s wishes. So you understand the danger you’re in by choosing to be with me.”

Her hand shook.

“I don’t want to die, Zayn.”

Dropping her hand, I cupped her face with both of mine. The misery on her face cut me.

“You aren’t going to, I promise. You’re safe with me. I will protect you from him with my life if I have to.”

She shook her head, her hands curling around my forearms.

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