Page 58 of Mila: The Godfather

“He wished to see me marry. He wants me to lead our clan with a queen standing by my side.” A sudden shiver travels down my spine, and it has nothing to do with the cold breeze but with his words.

“I don’t understand.”

“There is nothing I wouldn’t do for my father, and if seeing me with a wife is what he wishes, then so be it. I’ll do it, but I can’t marry just anyone you see. I need a woman who knows this lifestyle. A woman who understands that I do ugly things for the sake of my family. A woman who is not afraid of a little darkness.”

“I am afraid of everything.” I whisper truthfully as I slowly put some distance between us. This man suddenly makes it seem as if he is sucking the air out of an open space. Unreal. Inexplicable.

“That isn’t true.” He steps closer, not allowing any space between us, yet he is not crowding me. I notice that every time he comes close to me, he always stops himself. He stands back.

“You’re not afraid of me when most people are.” He points out.

Looking up at his face, I notice the darkness in his eyes is gone, and now he looks… softer. Gentle even. “You’re kind.” I blurt out. At least kinder than most people I’ve encountered before. He doesn’t yell. Since meeting him again, he always has a nice word to say to me, and well…he emptied his gun on a man for hurting me and calling me nasty things. He’s not a moral man by any means…but that was nice or heroic in a twisted sort of way.

“I am everything ugly that hides in plain sight, Mila. Don’t kid yourself.” He sighs when I say nothing else. What can I say? I’m lost for words. “Let’s find the logic in this, shall we?” He steps closer while I still feel like I am holding my breath. “I need a wife to make a sick man smile, and you…” Oh he is good… He is using logic and a sick person to make his point. Two things that I just can’t deny. Logic and facts? They’ve always been good to me. His sick father? Well, I am human. I have a heart. A soft one. He has me there.

“And me?” I ask, holding my breath and waiting for what’s coming next.

“You have a hit on your head. My last name and my ring on your finger will make them think twice about coming after you, Mila. There’s no greater sin in my world than coming after the family of the boss.”

Family.

Ring on your finger.

“They won’t dare start a war, and if they do, they’re the ones who won’t come out on the other side alive. That I can guarantee.” There’s a threat in his tone. A threat laced in darkness. “Coming after my wife is something the fuckers will think twice about.”

Energy cracked between us.

A dark, dark light.

While shock made me stumble back a foot. I was not expecting that. Not even close.

Looking down at my hands, I try to come up with a million reasons why this is a bad idea. I can’t marry this man. I don’t know much about love besides what I read in my romance novels, but one thing I do know is that fake marriages or marriages of convenience always tend to blur the lines. But logic proves that, on paper, this is a win-win situation. This man can help protect me while my sister annihilates the threat, and well…I can help him make his father’s painful journey less…painful, I guess.

Then, a thought comes to mind. One that has me rushing out the next words. “If we’re doing this. We need to establish a few things. Please feel free to speak up when you feel like I have overstepped or if I have offended you in any way. Also know that I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I am alive and here now because of you. I owe you, I know this.” I take a breath, still looking down at my hands because I am not sure if I am capable of holding his gaze, even if it’s for a second, while having this conversation. “In this arrangement…you can’t fall in love with me.” There, I said it. Heat creeps in when silence follows. Only the waves can be heard, and I am sure my heavy breathing, too, with how erratic my breath is coming.

I watch as his boots step closer, touching the pretty stone path of the prettiest garden I’ve ever seen. My eyes look away from his boots, and I find myself looking everywhere but at him. I’m embarrassed, and when I feel this way, I just look at something that makes me less anxious and brings me comfort. Thankfully, I am surrounded by not only the sea but a magical-looking garden.

I counted a dozen exotic flowers I’ve only seen on the Internet, yet he grows them here. This place is a dream for someone like me. Since I was a child, gardening has been my outlet. I always found it fascinating. To be able to grow and nurture something that is alive gives me a sense of purpose.My gaze slides to the mesmerizing garden, from huge palm trees with the greenest leaves, to the birds of paradise and orchid bushes twining together, with neatly cut grass, presenting a magical picture straight out of a fairy tale. Several benches and alcoves line the perimeter, finishing up the composition, and from the outside, it seems the perfect modern design was chosen, focusing on the fauna of this place and adding personal touches. Bright and fresh colors with a tad of magic. I can almost imagine Riagan roaming through the place, his aura only adding allure to this paradise. “Mila.”

“Yes?” I mumble, still looking away.

“This arrangement is strictly business.” His tone sounds dry, but not rude, either. Something in my chest aches when he puts it that way. Arrangement. Business. I should feel relieved but why is it that I don’t relieved at all?

“What does this…arrangement entail?”

“We’ll get married, of course.”

“For how long?” I look away from the flowers and look at his face. I notice his jaw looks tight, as if he’s not pleased with the turn the conversation took.

“A year.”

My eyes grow big. “A year? But what about my sisters? Where would I live? How will it work? Will we have sex?” My brain keeps pinning, and suddenly I feel lightheaded.

“Mila, breathe.” Soft hands fall on my shoulders. I should fight them off. My skin should be crawling because of his touch, but, yet again nothing happens. I don’t feel repulsed or uncomfortable. Instead, my body does as he says. The anxiety leaves my body, and I am able to find my next breath. All because of his soothing voice and gentle touch. Remarkable.

“For a year, you will stand by my side as my wife, and during that year, you’ll stay with me, of course, back in Philadelphia. You will also get to see your sisters as long as they don’t pose a threat to your safety.” I frown when he says that part. Does he mean Kadra? “You’ll also be under my protection. No one will fuck with you, and you won’t be a prisoner any longer. Not in my world. Not in my city. You no longer belong to the shadows, Mila. Never again.”

Finding my next breath proves to be hard, but I manage to, long enough to get the next words out. “You’re different from almost everyone I ever met, Riagan O’Sullivan.” I blurt out.

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