Oath of Sacrifice (Deviant Doms 4)

I swallow and nod. “I do. And fuck it, Rome, if you’re gonna order me killed, don’t make one of them do it. I’ll do it myself before I put that on the souls of any of my brothers.”

Romeo stands and anchors his hands on his hips.

“You got something else to say?”

I nod.

“I took a vow to your father, years ago. I vowed to him that I would never marry. I vowed that I would let every one of you ascend in rank before me, because I wasn’t a blood relative.” I clear my throat. “But I won’t let a vow to a dead man hold me back from what’s right any longer.”

Romeo nods slowly. Processing. Absorbing. His face is a mask.

I go on.

“I sold my cars, every last one of them. I’ve sold my real estate. I sold everything I own and I’m offering you every penny as a reverse dowry. If she’s with me, she doesn’t solidify our family, and our coffers don’t profit, I know that. But I’m offering ten mil of my own money and a lifetime of service to you.”

Rome shrugs. “But in Tuscany—”

“Fuck Tuscany. Your sister deserves to be married to someone who loves her, and that man is me.”

Romeo raises his hands. I hold my breath, waiting for him to command me to be taken away, or for him to draw a weapon of his own.

Slowly, he begins to clap. Clap.

His lips quirk up at the edges. “It’s about fucking time,” he says, shaking his head. Then he sobers, and his voice goes hard. “You think I’d marry any one of my sisters to someone who didn’t worship the damn ground she walked on?”

I listen in silence, my body tense, vibrating in pain, but I stand my ground.

“Do you think I would give my sister to anyone who wasn’t prepared to lay down his goddamn life for her?”

He stalks over to me and gently rests his hand on my shoulder. “You knew the stakes tonight. You knew it all, and you were willing to risk everything for her. Then you, my friend, are the only one who deserves to marry Rosa.”

Rosa lifts her hands to her face and sinks into a chair. Mama wraps her arm around her and holds her, rocking gently back and forth. I don’t trust my own voice. I swallow and open my mouth to speak, but no words come out.

“Go, Santo,” he whispers. “Go to her. We’ll begin preparations tomorrow.”

“I don’t know if I should kiss you or deck you,” I tell him.

He grins. “Probably smart to choose none of the above.”

“Oh my God,” Marialena says out loud, then she jumps to her feet with a wild whoop that makes everyone chuckle. “Oh my God, you two will make the most beautiful babies I’ve ever seen in my life!”

“Jesus,” Mario mutters, as if he can’t quite wrap his brain around this yet.

The girls are crying and hugging Rosa, but I make my way to her and hold her from behind. My heart beats so fast and hard, I can’t think beyond the pounding of blood in my ears.

Sergio turns to Dario. “Looks like it might be smart to introduce you to my sister sooner than later.” He shrugs. “She’s young, though, you’ll have to wait a while.”

Dario only chuckles.

Vittoria pushes herself to standing and clinks her coffee cup with a spoon. “I—I have an announcement to make.”

We all look toward her. “First, I have to say, Romeo, I love you. You’re a scary guy but you’re my scary guy, and I love how loyal and faithful you are to this family.” Her eyes grow soft. “Everyone here wants to solidify the family. Including me. And we all know that children are one way to make the Rossi name stronger.”

Romeo’s eyes go wide, and his mouth drops open.

“Before Romeo was arrested, I found out some news. I hadn’t even had a chance to tell him yet, but I will now, in front of all of you.” She grins at Romeo. “We’re having a babbbbyyyy!”

“Could’ve told him that before I put my life on the line, Vittoria,” I mutter. “Softened him up a little, eh?”

She grins, and everyone laughs. “I’ll make sure to keep him softened up so he doesn’t change his mind, Santo.” She raises her glass of orange juice. “A toast!”

There’s clinking of glasses and Nonna whispers words in Italian, Orlando holds Angelina close, and Tavi rests his hand on Elise’s back.

“To the Rossi family,” Vittoria says. “To family bonds and fearless loyalty.”

Voices erupt all around us and we tap our glasses together to cheer. “To the Rossi family!” everyone echoes.

Rosa stands, turns to face me, and buries herself in my chest. I hold her to me and she tucks her head against my shoulder. “Santo. I… that was so brave of you. I love you. I love you so much.”