Page 69 of Savage Vows

On my behalf, Alessia winces. “Being who you are is…complicated.”

Because of who she is, she understands.

Uncomfortable at revealing so much—after all, honesty destroyed my relationship with Clara—I end the conversation. “I need someone who knows the score.”

She smiles ironically and takes a sip of the chardonnay. “Which is where I come in.”

“Easier that way.”

“For you, maybe.” She shrugs.

Courtship,I remind myself when I’m tempted to change the direction of the conversation. A time to get to know one another. “So how about you?”

“What do you mean?”

“Is it all Mafia you hate? Or just me?”

For the moment, she’s quiet. She doesn’t deny hating me, bruising my ego even though it shouldn’t matter.

When she finally answers, her tone is flat. “It’s nothing personal. Mostly.” She shrugs.

The qualifier adds more salt to the wound she’s already inflicted.

“My mother was killed when I was young.”

I scowl. Though I knew her mother was no longer living,killedis a strong word.

“Knifed when she and my father were leaving a christening.”

And the event was covered up. Which I understand. In the same circumstances, I might make the same decision. Still, I am surprised the Morettis didn’t learn this when vetting Alessia.

“At the time, I didn’t know what was happening.”

Of course her father would have kept that information from her.

“But then …”

Impatience makes me bounce my fingers on my thighs, but I force myself to remain quiet.

“One night, I couldn’t have been more than eight or nine, I heard loud voices coming from downstairs.” She takes another drink. “I was supposed to be asleep, but I was drawing.”

Which I imagine she did a lot.

“Anyway, I was curious.” She swallows deeply. “There was a man in the entryway, being held up by my oldest brother and one of our soldiers. He was broken. Beaten. Bloody.” Maybe so she doesn’t drop it, she puts down her glass. “Anyway, my father gave the order to execute him.”

I’ve done the same. Not that I’m proud of those decisions.

“Over time, I learned what happened to my mother. And I know what type of person my father is.” She shudders. “As I said, nothing personal. Mostly. But I want nothing to do with being in a crime family.”

Which explains why she ran, why she will continue to do so.

“So back to you, Matteo. You could have your choice of any Mafia princess in the United States, maybe the world. Why would you settle for me?”

“Settle?” Coming to my feet, I put down my glass. Then I pluck hers from her fingers. When it’s safely on the coffee table, I lean over her. “I assure you, Alessia, when it comes to you, no man would besettling.You’re beautiful, talented, have your own moral code. I’m lucky you’ll be my wife.”Even if you don’t want to be.

Reaching out, I tug Alessia to her feet and bring her close to me. I wrap one arm around her waist, and with my free one, I cup her cheek.

“Open your mouth for me.”

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