Page 113 of Savage Enemy

“A princess. We ask each family to give up a woman and to marry another councilman’s woman. It honors the tradition of signing a business deal with a marriage contract. It’s also a good way to blend the families and make sure each member of the council is invested in the other families.

“I guess you could say it makes us all one big happy family. Your grandfather received your grandmother as part of that deal and gave his first daughter in return.”

What a disgusting and terrifying idea that I had no interest in thinking about, then or later.

“Are you saying you want the firstborn female in my line?”

“Usually, yes, but not in this case. No, I want Benedetta Capaldo. Since she is yours to give now.”

“Excuse me?”

My head still swam, but I’d heard the sick fuck correctly.

“Does your wife know you have a thing for blondes?”

Lordi laughed. “Yes, as a matter of fact, she does. If I keep her in the latest Dior dresses, she pretends not to care. The girl won’t be for me. But she comes with too much power for me to let hermarry outside of the Commission. Marry her yourself if you want to, but if not, she’s to marry another member.”

“Are there any members who are currently unmarried?”

“One, but from what I understand, he’s not quite ready, so it won’t happen immediately. But understand me, son. I will be choosing Benedetta Capaldo’s husband, not you.”

Fuck my life.

This deal would cost more and more of my soul.

Not only was I betraying every promise I’d made to my mother before she killed herself and betraying myself by going against the goals that I’d had since she died, but now I was betraying Benedetta as well. She’d made me swear.

Of course, a handshake deal with her wasn’t legally binding, but breaking our agreement still made me feel like an asshole.

I had to do it, had to hurt her—for my son and his mother.

Joining the Commission went against everything I was, and every cell in my body screamed for me to stop.

But signing on was the best way to get Val back. If I didn’t get to her soon, the Russians would take her, and even if she survived, I would never see her again.

Enzo would never see her again.

My head pulsed with dizzying pain. I wondered if they’d drugged the water. My three-quarters of a finger sent throbbing waves of agony up my arm, all the way to my shoulder.

I needed more time to make the right decision.

Time was the only thing I didn’t have.

The longer I waited, the less likely I would get my girl back.

She deserved to be resting in our home, with our son, in our bed, tucked away safely every fucking goddamn night.

Could I do this—join the Commission to get her back?

Betraying my long-dead family undermined who I was. Even going against my word to a worthy woman made me sick.

Benedetta had shown more grace than any woman I knew, stepping away from our marriage to keep my son safe, knowing it would destroy her reputation.

She’d stood her ground when I threatened her, then offered to help. She came to me like a man with a business proposal. She showed intelligence and kindness, and I trusted her.

I didn’t want to be with her, but Benedetta had earned my respect. No small feat for anyone.

She’d given me a chance with Valentina, and all she wanted in return was a chance at her own happiness.

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