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“Thank god for that.” He pulls me into a hug, and I swear I feel a tear fall down his cheek and onto my shoulder. I’ve rarely seen him cry. I wasn’t expecting this reaction.
“What did you think happened to me?” I lean back, looking him in his soaked eyes.
He shakes his head. “You talk first. It’s clear I’ve been misinformed.”
I frown as I sink into one of the chairs. He sits in the one next to me, instead of back behind his desk like usual. This feels more personal, more like a father and daughter instead of the usual business arrangement.
“Tell me everything,” he says.
I shake my head. “I don’t have time to tell you everything, nor do you deserve to hear everything.”
He winces at my words.
“But I’ve made my decision about who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
He stares at me with deep sorrow etched into his face. “If it was only about who your husband is, the choice would always be yours. But it’s more than that; it’s about which man can keep you alive. Which man can run my empire, keep my men in line, and use them to protect the Corsi line forever.”
I purse my lips. After everything, I’m still not sure I’m going to be able to convince him of anything.
“I chose Lennox for you, but it’s clear he’s betrayed you. You want that marriage annulled and him killed. Andrea has said as much. I still think Lennox is the best man for the job. But I know you came here to persuade me otherwise.”
“I did.” I take a deep breath. “I want to marry Andrea. I want you to make him your successor.”
Vincent stands, walking to the window. He knew this was coming, but I’m not sure why he’s reacting this way. I don’t speak more. I don’t explain my reasoning. I wait for him to come to me, hoping he’ll end up revealing some of his motivations and reasoning.
Finally, Vincent turns and looks at me. He’s breathing deeply, his nostrils flaring with each breath, and he’s trying to keep his cool.
“I think you’re making the wrong decision, but it’s a decision I will let you make. But my rules apply the same for him as they did for Lennox. He must kill the man who has been hurting our family for years, and he must prove his love to you by producing an heir within a year, or my men will kill him.”
A small smile spreads across my lips. “Thank you.”
He frowns at my reaction. “I’ll grant your annulment from Lennox if that’s what you want. You can be married to Andrea as soon as it can be arranged.”
I nod, knowing what’s coming next and hoping I’ll be able to stop him.
“I’ll send a team of men to eliminate Lennox, and the annulment will be done.”
“No,” I breathe out.
“What?”
“I don’t want you to kill Lennox.”
“It isn’t up to you, dear. He and I made an arrangement—one in blood that my entire team witnessed. They will hold him to his vow. He has to die for not fulfilling it.”
I shake my head. “There has to be another way.”
Vincent narrows his eyes at me in the way he does when he’s commanding answers from me.
But I don’t back down. I’ve grown a lot through this experience. I’m not the naive princess everyone thinks I am. I’m strong enough to win this battle against anyone.
“Why don’t you want Lennox dead? You’re choosing another man to be your husband. And my understanding is that Lennox killed your former lover…”
“His name is Kit.”
Vincent nods. “That’s right, Kit. He killed Kit. He hurt you. I understand why you want to get rid of him. But why can’t I eliminate him?”
“Because I want to.”
