Page 21 of Explode
Georgio paused, before resting his elbows on the table and lacing hisfingers. “So, you want me to hold off from taking any action against Hendrix and this Max Thorne. Tell me, what’s in it for me?”
This was the part I was dreading. Truth be told, I hadn’t actuallyexpected Georgio to give me the time of day, but he had. Fuck, why had I been so stubborn and ignored Miles these past two days?
“Once we reclaim Hollows Bay, we’ll up our payment to you from 5%to 15%,” I said, crossing my fingers and hoping like fuck he’d go for it.
He snorted. “Don’t patronize me, Riley,” he said, glowering at mefrom across the table. Won’t lie, I wanted to cower at the way he shot daggers at me. “Look around, does it look like I need your money?”
He had a point. Now I’d seen where he lived, it was clear the manand his children had more money than they could ever spend in a lifetime, and he no doubt made a fortune from his own business interests.
Remembering what Miles said on the way here, a heavy weightsettled in my gut as I opened my mouth to speak again. “We’ll owe you a debt.”
Georgio’s brows rose in surprise, and for a second, he was quiet. Butthen he broke out into a malicious smile, one that sent a chill down my spine. “I don’t want to be owed a debt, Riley. I want something permanent.”
“Something permanent?”
“Yes. It’s time the treaty between the Bianchis and the Wolfes wasrenewed. Times have moved on, and I believe we could be a very powerful force working together instead of working against each other. I want an alliance.”
Miles tensed beside me, and the smirk that played on Georgio’s lipstold me that what he was about to offer wasn’t going to be anything good.
“What does that mean?” I asked tentatively.
“An alliance between families can only be through marriage,” Mileswhispered from beside me. I twisted to look at him, my mouth dropping open in horror.
“That’s correct. And seeing as you are far too young for my liking, youwill marry Raphael, and our two families will join as one.”
Like hell I will.
My head whipped from Georgio to Rafe, who was looking at me withheated eyes, and when his tongue ran over his bottom lip, I snapped out of the shock.
“I’m sorry, that can’t happen. I’m already married.”
“You’re married to a dead man, Riley-”
“It doesn’t matter,” I said, interrupting him and so done withpleasantries. I wasn’t going to marry Rafe, I wasn’t going to marry anyone ever again. It didn’t matter if Kai was dead, I was married to him. Ibelongedto him, and there was no way I was letting anyone into my heart ever again. “I’m not marrying anyone, there must be something else we can agree to.”
“I’m afraid not. Take the deal or get the fuck out of my house,”Georgio snarled. His eyes narrowed on me, his nostrils flaring. Suddenly, I understood why Georgio Bianchi was a feared man.
I was about to tell him to fuck his deal and hot foot it far awayfrom Forest Point while we had a chance, but Miles stopped me in my tracks.
“Marriage is the only way you’ll agree to hold off?”
Georgio’s narrowed eyes turned to him. “It is.”
“Then we’ll take your offer,” Miles said, surprising the ever-living shitout of me. A surge of rage crested through me. He was throwing me under the damn bus, just like he’d done with Colin. But this was something I wasn’t going to take lying down.
“Miles, I’m not marrying anyone,” I lowered my voice which wasfucking pointless given that everyone was staring at us.
“You’re not the only Wolfe sitting at this table,” Miles replied, beforeturning back to face Georgio. “I believe you have a sonanda daughter.”
Holy shit.
I chanced a peek at Sofia, who until now had remained quiet anduninterested in the conversation ongoing around her. Now, she was staring back at Miles, horrified at his suggestion.
“Papa, no! I don’t want to marry Milo!” she cried, her shrill voiceechoing around the room.
“It’s Miles,” Miles snapped, glaring at her. She met his eye fromacross the table, agony written all over her face.
Christ, did my heart break for the girl. No one should have the choiceof their future husband forced on them.
