Page 59 of The Don’s Omega

“You want more money?” He laughs.

“Not exactly.”

He hesitates, looking curious. “What then?”

I waver, then push forward. “I… I want something in writing that says you’ll still take care of Fabio if I die. Right now, I have no idea what would happen to him. If I’d died today, would you have turned your back on him? Would you have cancelled the surgery?”

He seems to consider my question. “I never thought about it.” He studies me, his expression difficult to read. “The contract as written doesn’t specifically address your brother’s care in the event of your death.”

“I know. That’s the problem.”

He tilts his head, but says nothing.

I clear my throat. “So what happens? If… if someone succeeds next time. If there’s a next time, which, based on today, seems pretty likely. Does Fabio lose his surgery? Does he go back to Millhaven with a heart condition, no money, and no brother to take care of him?”

Looking thoughtful, he drums his fingers on the arm of the chair. “If I don’t have my heir, why would I owe you or Fabio anything?”

My heart chills. “Jesus, if I die because of who you are, that isn’t Fabio’s fault. You lied about who you were. You misled me. I want my brother protected, or I’m going to make trouble for you, Marcello.”

He laughs, but his eyes are dark and malicious. “How would you hurt me?”

“By not playing the game anymore.” I hold his gaze, heart pounding so hard I’m sure he can hear it. “You want your mafia pals to think we’re happily married, right? You want an heir as soon as possible. If you won’t give me what I need to protect Fabio, you’re not getting either of those things from me.”

“Maybe I’ll just take what I want from you,” he growls, running his eyes over me.

Fear jolts through me but I try not to show it. “Go ahead. That won’t stop me from talking. From acting out in public. Maybe I’ll spill the tea on how this is a contract marriage. That would be pretty humiliating for you, right?”

He stands and walks toward me. I brace myself, stiffening as I sit on the bed. He stops in front of me, his eyes black pools of malice. The pulse in his neck is beating fast and he’s flushed with anger. “You’re playing with fire, Elio,” he rumbles. “I don’t respond well to threats.”

I lift my chin. “If you’d played fair with me from the beginning, I wouldn’t have to do this now. But you kept crucial information from me.”

He studies me wordlessly.

“You didn’t need to hide your identity from me,” I say. “Even if I’d known who you were, I’d have still gone through with the arranged marriage, Marcello. Because of Fabio.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

I lean toward him. “The problem is knowing who you are, I’d have absolutely put language in our contract to protect my brother. You say family means something to you. Prove it. Let me protect my brother just like you’d protect yours.”

His face is emotionless as I finish speaking. It’s impossible to know what he’s thinking.

“You could do this easily for me, Marcello. We both know that. I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to give me this. I’ve been nothing but obedient to you. I’ve done everything you asked of me. I shouldn’t have to threaten you to get this for Fabio. For fuck’s sake, you know he’s the only reason I’m even doing any of this.”

“Fine,” he mutters. “If you die Fabio will be taken care of.”

I narrow my eyes. “That sounds like a threat.”

He gives a grudging smile. “If something should happen to you, Fabio will have his surgery and his rehabilitation, okay?”

“I’ll need that in writing.”

“What?” He smirks. “You don’t trust me?”

“Not really, no.” I hold his gaze. “I’m not asking for this to be an asshole, Marcello. I’m just trying to be sure my brother is okay if I die.”

“I know,” he says softly.

I’m sure he resents me challenging him, but it had to be done. From his reaction, it’s obvious if I’d died today, he wouldn’t have cared what happened to Fabio.