Page 69 of Mafia Darling

“I am not dictating. I am asking. And it’s only temporary.”

“But if I do not agree, you won’t marry me.”

“This is what it means to be married. Compromise, even when you don’t like it. Giving in to your partner sometimes. If you are incapable of it, why on earth would I ever marry you?”

“I will not compromise when it comes to D’Agostino.”

“I’m not asking you to set him free. I’m just asking that, if you’re planning to kill him, to wait until my sisters go back to Toronto. Emma is traumatized at the idea of murder happening during her visit.”

My lip curled into a sneer. “I don’t care if she is traumatized. No one tells me how to deal with my enemies.”

“Again, I’m asking. But think very carefully before you answer, Fausto.”

Outrage and venom poured into my blood like a river, a torrent of resentment at the position she was putting me in. Enzo was near death and the instant I had what I needed from him, I wanted him dead. I didn’t want to give him extra time on this earth because Emma Mancini might get her feelings hurt. “I could force you to marry me,” I snarled.

“No, you can’t. I will never say the vows, not if I don’t believe you respect me.”

I stalked over to the bed. If she wanted to negotiate before our wedding, fine. I had a few things I’d like to ask for. “Stand up.”

She heard the steel in my voice and didn’t hesitate. Licking her lips, she slid off the bed and stood. Unafraid, she met my eyes and I knew I would give her this one thing.

I grabbed her hips and pulled her into my chest, my forehead resting on hers. She wrapped her arms around my neck, holding on while her breasts pressed against me. We stayed there a moment, breathing in one another, and the simple embrace soothed me, a balm on my stained soul. “I love you and I cannot live without you. If I must agree to this, then I will. For you. But don’t push me too far. We will be partners, no?”

“Grazie, baby.” She pressed a kiss to my jaw. “I am going to make you the very best wife. You won’t ever regret it.”

“And if I am compromising for you, then you will compromise in return for me.” I could feel her body stiffen in my hold, so I grabbed her tighter. “Wait until you hear what I am asking.”

“Fine.”

I held her face in my hands gently, like it was a precious gift. “You will give me at least three more children in addition to this one.” I tilted my chin toward her belly.

Her eyes went wide. “Kids? This is what you want in exchange?”

Then her eyes went unfocused, like she was thinking about it. Thinking about me shooting deep inside her, filling her up with my come to get her pregnant. When she bit her lip and swayed toward me a little, I knew I was right.

Madre di Dio, my woman was hot.

“Okay,” she whispered.

A flash of possessiveness whipped through me. Cazzo, I couldn’t wait to make more babies with her.

When she leaned back, I said, “Wait. I have one more compromise.”

“What?”

“You will marry me as quickly as possible. Tomorrow. I will allow your sisters to stay for the ceremony, but they must return to Toronto immediately after.”

She gasped, ripping out of my hold and moving away from me. “Fausto, no! They just got here. I’m not ready to let them go.”

“That is my final offer, Francesca. Every man in my command will question why I have not yet killed Enzo. It makes me look weak, capisce?”

“What if—?”

“No. I will not delay the inevitable any more than necessary. Every day he remains alive is a threat to me, to you. To everything I have built. You may see your sisters another time.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, but I didn’t give in, even when those tears spilled over her lashes and tracked down her cheeks. She wiped her face. “I’ll miss them.”

I moved in and hugged her, smoothing my hands down her spine. “I know, dolcezza. I’ll make it up to you.”

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