Page 24 of Precious Hazard

“A year. Not a day less.”

“Why?”

“Ajello isn’t the type to be easily convinced he’s wrong. It’ll take a year, at minimum.”

I tap my finger on my lips while a myriad of thoughts race through my mind. “What if, on our wedding night, I try to slit your throat? Would that convince him that us being married is a bad idea faster?”

“Nope. He’ll just say we weren’t trying hard enough.” He drops his head and seems to stare at nothing on the floor.

It’s evident that he doesn’t want this marriage to happen any more than I do, but he’s hell-bent on following through with it. He is entirely willing to sacrifice everythinghewants in life to honor his commitment to the don. I would admire the man and his loyalty and determination if his steely resolve weren’t ruiningmy life.

For the thousandth time, I wish I could kick myself. What the hell possessed me to grab his fucking gun? If I hadn’t, he’d have nothing to blackmail me with. No prints. No threat to hold over my head. It’s not like I was going to shoot him. He isSienna’s brother, after all. And, my love for her surpasses even the hatred I feel toward him. Fuck!

“Alright. One year. And only if it’s a civil ceremony. I’m not getting married to you in a church.” I jut my chin. “And, I want half ofallyour assets, not just marital property, in a divorce. You can put that in a prenup.”

He bursts out laughing. “Not happening.”

“If I’m being forced to be your wife, I expect compensation. Substantial compensation. Half of everything you own sounds fair.”

“I’m not handing over five hundred million to you, Tara.”

Whoa. I blink. I had no idea Sienna’s brother isthatloaded. “Fine. I’ll take twelve. A million for each month we’re married.”

There’s no way he’ll agree to this. The only thing Cosa Nostra men value, apart from their belovedFamily,is money. He’ll weigh the pros and cons and see that it’s simply not worth it. Too steep a price for his pride.

No. Come on, let me hear it. N-O.

DeVille grits his teeth. His gaze scorches me as he leans back against the couch cushions, spreading his arms along the top edge. He posed exactly the same way at Naos. Arrogant prick. That posture screamsI’m the king, and you should bow down to me. Except it doesn’t quite work with his current scowl and the dark look of frustration on his face.

What’s he waiting for? Is he actually considering it?

Nah, DeVille is too stubborn to compromise.

But as much as his overbearing traits have been clear from the get-go, he has managed to surprise me with one thing.I never would have guessed Arturo DeVille is a man who’d be partial to tattoos. He rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt when he started cooking, and now I’m nearly mesmerized by the dark ink on his ropey, thickly muscled right forearm.

“Alright.” His deep voice explodes into the silence of the room. “I accept those terms.”

“What?” I reel back, confused.

“One year. Twelve million dollars. You got yourself a deal,gattina.”

Bile rises in my throat. No. No. No. I don’t want his damn money! I don’t want anything from him except for him to disappear from my life. “I… I wasn’t serious. I just—”

He leaps off the couch and closes the distance between us so fast that I don’t even get the chance to finish the sentence.

“You what? You’re just fucking with me again?” His eyes darken. “No one fucks with me, Tara. You laid out your offer. I accepted. So don’t even think about going back on your word. Because if you do, I’ll destroy you. Piece by piece. Along with everyone you hold dear. You got that?”

I swallow as a sour taste fills my mouth. My stomach roils and then drops to the floor. There’s so much hostility and conviction in his eyes that I don’t doubt a single word. He’s serious. The pressure behind my eyes means I’m seconds from losing my composure. But I’ll be damned if I ever again let even one tear slide in front of this bastard.

Lifting my chin, I meet his unrelenting stare. “I want to see the prenup as soon as you have it drafted. The twelve million is to be deposited in my account the day our divorce is finalized.”

“Fine. The venue is already taken care of, but do you have any interest in choosing decorations or other wedding shit?”

“Zer-oh.”

His eyes fall to my lips when I enunciate theohsound.

“Perfect,” he barks. “This will be a high-profile event, attended by the elite of Cosa Nostra. I won’t have you embarrass me like you tried to do tonight. Make sure your wedding dress is nice and elegant. No slits up to your ass or plunging necklines where your tits fall out. No flashing your garters so every Tom, Dick, and Harry can picture you in your lingerie. Understood?”

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