Page 55 of Vows of Blood

I’m not letting her get away again.

"You can stay here as long as you need. Protection. Security. A roof over your head that isn't falling apart."

She glares at me, chin lifted in that defiant way that makes me want to shake her and kiss her all at the same time.

"That all sounds wonderful,” she drawls, “but where will you be? I’m not sure we make good roommates anymore, with our somewhat complicated history.”

I let the silence stretch. Then I say the words I've been turning over and over in my mind since I left here earlier to go meet the O’Sullivan’s.

Stepping closer, I loom over her, enjoying how she has to crane her neck back to hold my gaze, her lips parting.

"We wouldn’t be roommates, Sienna. You’d be my wife."

She stares at me like I've lost my mind. Seconds pass, then she smiles, a bemused chuckle, and an eye roll as she shakes her head.

“Are you mocking me?” Resting her hands on her hips and cocking one to the side, she gives me a look of censure, no doubt comparing this to my first proposal which was far more romantic. “The same problem remains, Luca. I don’t think your father will approve.”

And we both know from bitter experience that he’s not above interfering.

"Do I look like I’m laughing?" I bring my face close to hers, letting her see how deadly serious I am.

Sienna’s smile immediately flips into a confused frown, questioning my sanity as the seriousness of my intention dawns on her.

“What? Luca, no. Not again. Not after last time.” She looks at me in disbelief, waiting for the joke she’s sure is coming, a sign I’m winding her up.

Except I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.

"You wanted to marry me once before." I stroke my palm over her messy hair. "I’m sure you can pretend to want me again."

And this time, I’ll keep my meddling father away.

"Pretend." She repeats the word flatly, staring at the wall somewhere behind me, refusing to meet my eye.

"You play the part of my wife, I take over the family business, and in return, I clear your debts, pay for your education, and keep you safe. When it's over, if you want to, you walk away with enough money to start fresh."

It’ll never be over.

"You're insane," she whispers.

I laugh because it probably appears that way to her, but this is no rash decision. Nothing I do ever is. "Probably."

I’m acting nonchalant, even as my desires, dark and greedy, take a hold within me, and my confidence that this might just all work out as it was meant to, grows.

"Kate was supposed to be the one who allowed me to take over. Now she's gone…” A shrug, intended to look careless, like I haven’t got all of my hopes pinned on this plan. “The wedding is already planned, and I need someone who knows what we do, who I am, and is smart enough not to cause trouble.”

Sienna’s nostrils flare, her anger showing, and I allow myself to hope that it’s because she wants it to mean more. But if I tell her what I really want, her, forever, she’d never agree.

Not yet.

“You need a replacement bride. Someone convenient.” She practically spits the words out.

“And? You need a house, money, and a way to get the career you always wanted. Plus, someone who can keep you alive if the killer comes to tie up loose ends. It’s win-win."

When I reach for her, she turns her head away from my touch, her hand coming up to push my fingers away, but I catch it, fingers wrapping around her small wrist, my thumb stroking over the delicate skin on the inside.

"I never stopped thinking about you. I can’t believe he…" I trail off. It’s not good enough. I should have suspected he wouldn’t have left it at that, at punishing me. “I’m sorry.”

She still refuses to look at me.