Page 58 of His Prize

He paused. “What?”

I sighed. “Can I ask you a few questions first? I mean, before we lock in this deal between us.”

“You mean, you’re actually considering it?”

Odd question to ask.“Yes, I am.”

He smiled. “I’m an open book. What would you like to know? My favorite color? Favorite kind of music?”

I shook my head. “I want to know what’s in this for you.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I know what’s in it for me. We marry, I don’t have to deal with the drama of running a family that’s betrayed me, and Israel gets to be free. But, none of that tells me whatyouget out of this.”

“I get a beautiful wife, and I get my brother out of prison.”

“What happens when he gets out of prison?”

He cocked his head. “I’m not following.”

You’re good, but you’re not that good.“It stands to reason that you’d take over the Rossi family now that Israel’s in prison. But what happens when he gets out? He’s still the eldest child. Does he take his position back?”

“I don’t know. I suppose that would be up to Dad.”

“So, your father knows about this arrangement.”

“Not in so many words, no.”

“Then, what does he know?”

He snickered. “Does that matter?”

I nodded. “If I’m going to marry someone and waste my life away pretending to be happy, yes. It matters.”

“I’m sure you could come to love me, Bonnie. Just like you came to love my brother.”

“I didn’t come to love anyone. Idolove your brother, hands down.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know why, but I suppose even the darkest devil has a bit of reprieve sometimes.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What would you like to get out of this?”

“Like I said, all I want is Israel out of—”

I sauntered over to him. “Oh, come on, Gio. Be honest with me. You know you can.” I fluttered my eyelashes up at him and watched him draw in a deep breath. “I mean, if we’re going to be married, we might as well start sharing some secrets. So, if you tell me what you really want out of this, I’ll tell you what I really want.”

He grinned. “I like a woman with secrets.”

I walked my fingers up his chest. “I. Knew. You. Would.” I bopped his nose with my fingertip, and his arm wrapped around me. I fought down the urge to deck this man in the nose as he pulled me close. So close that I could feel the pulsing of his breath against my lips. It smelled disgusting—like wine and cheap steak. I fought back the grimace wanting to tear through my cheeks as I stared into his eyes. And when I saw that menacing brother come back into view, I knew I had caught him.

I knew he had finally dropped the charade.

“Tell me your secret first. Show me how good you are,” he murmured.

I giggled. “You’re so bad, Gio.”

“I can be as bad as you want, BonBon.”

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