Page 56 of Mine Again
Maximo only shrugs. “Even so, the contracts are signed.”
I can practically feel Mia’s spine stiffen.
“So you see, Mialina,” he continues, deliberately using her full name, “they might very well come knocking on your door, expecting you to fulfill your end of the bargain.”
“I didn’t sign anything,” she snaps. “And with Father dead, surely that contract is null and void.”
“No, that’s not how these things work.”
Mia draws in a sharp breath, and I edge even closer to the door. Her voice is low, but it carves the air.
“I don’t understand why Father would want an alliance with the Irish, in Chicago of all places. The De Marcos don’t deal with them. Do they?”
God, we need to get to the bottom of this.
Where is Mari?
We need to talk to her. If anyone can find out what’s really going on, it’s Mateo. He’s smart, loyal, and above all, protective. If he knew anything about this… surely he would’ve warned her. Warned us.
“No, they don’t,” Maximo says. “So it’s anyone’s guess what your father was doing.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Your choice,” he says with maddening calm. “But are you willing to take the risk?”
Silence.
Then Mia exhales sharply. “There’s another solution, isn’t there?”
“Yes.”
She scoffs. “Let me guess. Marrying you?”
“Yes.”
Oh my God.
“I’m about to take over as Don in Chicago,” he says, like he’s offering her a promotion instead of a proposal. “I need a wife. And I’ve chosen you.”
“Excuse me?” Mia’s disbelief is so sharp I nearly flinch. “You’vechosenme?” Her tone is practically radioactive.
“I have,” he replies, utterly unfazed. “You were raised to be a Mafia wife. You’re young, beautiful, and you will give me the heirs I want.”
Mia lets out a snort, which is most unlike her. “Iwill,will I?”
“Yes.” There’s amusement curling around the edges of his words. I can hear the smug smile.
Oh, he really has no idea who he’s dealing with.
Mia might only be eighteen, but she’s no pawn. Not anymore. If hethinks she’ll roll over and agree because he’s powerful and charming, he’s in for a rude awakening.
Mia’s laugh is light, almost sweet… if you didn’t know her like I do.
“Well,” she says, cocking her head as if genuinely considering him. “Thank you, Maximo, for so valiantly offering to save me from the big, bad Irish.” Her voice is sugarcoated sarcasm. “But I’ll take my chances with the devil I don’t know.”
I bite my knuckle to hold back my snort.
She doesn’t stop there.
