Page 82 of Mafia Don's Twisted Proposal
“Well,mija,” Miguel says, focusing on my wife. “What will it be?”
31
MIA
I hate this.
It’s been such an amazing day. Meeting my family—my real family—and watching everything just click into place. My brothers Gael, Juan, Santi, and Diego all welcomed me with open arms, remarking on how much I look like our mother. Their wives have been warm and friendly, and being around all the kids running around makes me think about having my own someday.
For the first time in my life, I don’t feel like the puzzle piece that doesn’t quite fit.
But now I’m standing in my father’s office between two angry men who both want me to choose sides, and I feel like I’m about to rip in half.
Lorenzo’s arm is wrapped around me like a steel band, and my father’s dark eyes are locked on mine. They’re both waiting for me to decide right here, right now, whether I want to stay with my newfound family or go home with my husband.
The problem is, I don’t know what I want.
I was always searching for this feeling of belonging without even realizing it. These past few weeks, before I learned all the disturbing truths about how we got together, I thought I belonged with Lorenzo. Now I’m not sure of anything.
Does he want me with him because he’s still working an angle for his precious alliance? Or does he mean it when he says he really cares about me?
I can’t see inside his head, and maybe I’ll never know for sure. What I do know is that I need space from Lorenzo to figure this out. He consumes me completely, and as much as I enjoy getting lost in him, I need clarity to decide if this relationship is actually good for me.
I turn to Lorenzo, placing my hand on his chest. His eyes snap to mine, and I can see the silent plea there. He wants me to choose him.
“I need to stay here, at least for a little while,” I say.
“I don’t want to leave your side.”
“The invitation to stay here is only for her,” my father cuts in, and I shoot him an annoyed look. This is hard enough already.
I refocus on Lorenzo. “Just give me a few days to get to know my family. Then we can talk.”
He’s trying to hide his reaction, probably to look tough in front of my father, but I can see the truth. My decision hurts him. There’s anger there too, but I think that’s mostly directed at Miguel. Whatever conversation I interrupted between them was heated.
My family wants me here. My father is willing to go head-to-head with my ruthless husband to make it happen.
A quiet sort of peace takes root in me. I’ll always love the family that raised me. There’s no way to express how grateful I am for everything they did. But being here feels right, like it’s where I was always supposed to be.
I don’t know if I’d stay here permanently, but I need to give this a chance. I need to rediscover who I am outside of my marriage to Lorenzo. Then I can decide how I truly feel about him.
“Okay,” Lorenzo says, his lips brushing my forehead. “But I’m not leaving Mexico without you,dolcezza.”
I frown. “Where will you stay? Is it safe for you here?”
His smile tells me he finds my concern amusing. “Don’t worry, wife. I’ll be just fine. You stay on the compound unless you’re with your dad or brothers. I’m only a phone call away.”
My heart clenches as he kisses me goodbye. Chaste but possessive. A huge part of me wants him to stay. I could probably talk my father into it. But I firmly remind myself that I need this time away from him.
When the door closes behind Lorenzo, my father lets out a sigh. He’s rubbing his left side, moving more carefully than before.
“Don’t tell him this,” he says with a rueful chuckle, “but your husband packs a hell of a punch.”
I burst out laughing. I can’t help it. The tension melts away, and while I know I’ll miss Lorenzo, I’m sure I made the right decision.
“You know,” Miguel says when my laughter dies down, “I can get you free of him. If that’s what you want.”
The laughter stops abruptly. I stare at my father. This man I’ve known for all of twelve hours. We don’t look much alike, but I can see his features reflected in my brothers’ faces.
