Page 221 of The One
They’ve been dealt with?
His gaze sharpens immediately.
“No! God, no,dolce mia. They’re safe,” he’s quick to assure me.
The air returns to my lungs, relieved beyond description.
“I killed your father,” he clarifies, pointing to the date inked on his chest. “I avenged my brother. The entirefamiglia.And you.”
The words hit me, but there’s only an eerie calm inside me.
“I’m sorry,dolcezza.” His voice is gentle now. “I know he was your father, but—”
“He hated me for being a girl,” I whisper. “I can’t bring myself to mourn a man who never cared for me. If anything, it’s a relief knowing he can’t hurt people anymore.” My throat tightens. “All I care about is you. Are you okay?”
His chest rises and falls. Teo studies me closely, his expression unreadable.
“I will be, especially after we get married today. It’s why I had today’s date inked over my heart.”
“Married? Today?” My voice barely registers.
“Yes.” His eyes burn into mine.
The world tilts. My heart skips a beat.
Did I hear that right?
“Third time’s the charm?” I ask, disbelief thick in my voice.
“Something like that,” he chuckles.
For a moment, I let myself believe it, let the possibility sink into my bones, warming the cold spaces inside me. But then, reality rears its ugly head, and I remember the weight of everything that came before.
“Mateo, my father’s betrayal will always stand between us, and we will—”
“Do you love me?”
His question is a blade, slicing straight through my hesitation.
“With my life. But love isn’t the issue. Sparing and marrying me might bring down your empire.”
“It won’t.” His expression sobers. “I am the most powerful man in Italy now, Mari. No one will dare go against me.”
“You know that isn’t true. If there’s dissent among your people because you disobeyed the golden rule about betrayal—”
“Nobody will find out.”
I study him, wary. “How can you be so sure?”
His lips press together. “I killed your father alone. No witnesses. And…”
“And what?”
His gaze darkens. “It’s well known that I detest messy killings. This one was very messy. I mimicked the way the Bertucci dispatch their victims.”
A shiver runs through me.
“Mateo, I—” I pause, trying to find the right words. “Today isn’t the right day. Too much has happened. You had a long and bloody night, and you haven’t slept yet. You might not be thinking straight. I don’t ever want you to regret marrying me.”
