Page 126 of Bound in Obsession
I search his eyes and see nothing but honesty.
“Okay,” I say softly. “You can talk to him about the marriage.”
He kisses me again, slow and deep, like a promise. When he pulls away, he rests his forehead against mine.
“Will you be okay with me gone for a while?”
I nod. “Yes. I’ll spend the day with Sienna. Don’t worry about me.”
Nico kisses me one last time, long and lingering, before he reluctantly gets out of bed, but not before whispering promises of the filthy things he'll do to me when he gets back.
CHAPTER FORTY
Nico
The only reason Massimo Caruso is still breathing is because he’s my fiancée’s father.
I just got out of the doghouse with Eleonora. I’m not about to put a bullet in her father’s head and crawl right back in.
But fuck, it’s tempting. Every time I look at this bastard across the table, I remember what he put her through. What he put all his daughters through. I want to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until his eyes pop.
Instead, I sit back in my chair, calm and composed, while Marco and a few of my most trusted men stand behind me.
We’re at an abandoned warehouse which has been converted into a meeting room, in neutral territory, a stretch of land onthe Pennsylvania-New York border controlled by a smaller outfit that stays out of Syndicate politics.
Every Don on the East Coast knows the rules. You come here to negotiate, not to wage war. Breaking the peace would unite every Family against you.
The tension in the room is thick enough to choke on.
Gallo’s death has left Massimo weakened. His strongest ally is gone, and now the Gallo family is looking for blood, blaming Massimo for leading their son to his death without delivering a bride. He’s desperate.
Massimo leans forward, looking every bitdispleased at the news I just delivered.
“This can’t happen. You kidnapped my daughters, got engaged to one without my permission, and now you’re demanding marriage? You’ve lost your mind, Lombardi.”
I don’t raise my voice. I don’t need to.
“I don't think I made myself clear the first time. I’m not asking for your permission,” I say coldly. “I’m informing you. Eleonora is wearing my ring. She’s my fiancée. And I will marry her.”
Massimo’s face turns red with fury. “You arrogant piece of?—”
I cut him off with a look. “Careful. Raise your voice at me again and we’ll see how fast this meeting ends with you bleeding on the floor.”
His men shift nervously. Guns are drawn on both sides within seconds. Massimo’s face pales as he realizes how badly he’s outnumbered.
Marco clears his throat.
“Massimo, you’re not stupid. You’re outnumbered here, and you know it. Nico marrying your daughter isn’t just about alliance anymore, it’s survival. The Gallo family wants your head. Half the city is turning against you. Having Nico on your side is the only thing that might keep you alive. Let’s put this to rest. Open the ports we want, accept the marriage, and we all walk away with something.”
There’s a long, suffocating silence.
Massimo’s eyes dart between me and Marco. He knows he’s cornered. Finally, he lets out a shaky breath and nods once, bitterly.
“Fine,” he spits. “Take her. Marry her. But you back me up if the Gallos decide to come after me.”
I lean back, staring him dead in the eyes.
“One more thing.”
