Page 34 of The Diávolos: Part Two
“I lied.”
I brace myself with a hand on his chest, and for a second, I’d forgotten how solid he felt under my palms. I stifle the urge to run them down his chiseled body.
“Evan,” I murmur.
“Angelica,” he whispers back. “Tell me you want me—needme.”
“I can’t.”
“The hell you can’t. Stop lying to me.Stop lying toyourself. I’ve spent a whole year giving you space. I respected your wishes and left you alone. I understand if you’re not ready to fully trust me again, but you can’t deny your feelings.”
We’re so close, I can practically taste his lips.
“I know you love me, angel,” he adds.
I do. Although, sometimes, love isn’t enough.
He exhales in resignation when I don’t answer. “I’ve waited all this time for you; I can wait a little longer. But say yes. Marry me. And I’ll work tirelessly until you believe in us again.”
I’ve dreamed of a future where we're entwined in each other's lives, but is it still feasible?
“Being married would definitely simplify things. It would legitimize me as a leader, reinforce our families, and we’d both end up winners in the end,” I murmur.
Sadness invades me as I think of how things could’ve been between us if our relationship hadn’t imploded the way it did. A big part of me still resents Evan for his intentions, for the way he broke my trust.
“If we get married, mybabawon’t have a choice but to let me back in. Our families would be united, and we’d have to make peace, even if temporary. If I show interest in the family business, involve myself in his dealings, he’ll think I finally want to be part of his life. It’ll allow me back into his good graces and maybe he’ll trust me with information that you could use, too,” I add, reluctantly.
And the Sisterhood. We’d have the means to permanently end it.
As I navigate through my uncertainty, an invisible weight comes to rest on my shoulder, causing a slight stiffness in my posture.
“Once he’s dead, you’ll be expected to take over as the head of the family.” My chest tightens at Evander’s words. “But no one will take you seriously if you’re unmarried. They’ll expect you to have a husband to take the reins. You know how archaic the mob is.”
There has never been a female Godfather in the history of the Greek mob, so they would never accept me without a male partner. If this will allow me to finally get the answers I need, I have to be willing to make the sacrifice.
I shake my head and glance up to the ceiling. “I guess I’m going to be a mob princess, after all.”
When we emerge from the room, Gianis is standing against the wall. He doesn’t greet us, but I can tell he’s waiting for the outcome.
“I agreed to his plan,” I rush out, almost embarrassed.
I know how Gianis feels about Evan and me, but this is for the greater good, and I hope he’ll see it that way one day.
He scoffs and pushes himself off the concrete. “I thought you were smarter than this, Ang.”
Anger simmers in my veins. I didn’t expect him tolikethe idea, but he doesn’t have to be straight up mean about it. “Gianis, I appreciate how much you care about me, but I know what I’m doing.”
“Do you?” he asks, his voice just below a yell as he walks toward me with menacing steps. I don’t bat an eyelash because I know he wouldn’t even blow on me.
Evan places himself between us. “I’d watch what you fucking say next.”
I gently move Evan to the side before anything escalates, giving him a glare. “Look, G, I’m very thankful for your friendship, and I don’t think I could’ve managed this whole year without you, but I’m capable of making my own decisions, and this is the right one.”I hope.
Hurt flashes in Gianis’s eyes as he looks between me and Evander. He readjusts the lapels of his suit jacket and sniffs, regaining his cool composure. “If you don’t need me anymore, I’ll be heading back to Cebrene. I’ll keep in touch.”
I nod, not sure what to say. I wish I could reason with him, but I know I’d be talking to a wall.
“I’ll get the helicopter ready for you,” Evan mutters.
