“All?”
“Yes. The Mikhailov’s, the Lombardi’s, and the San Giovannis.”
“Tito,” I warn, but Nikolai ignores me.
“Go on.”
“I think you should have your men drop their guns before he continues.” I interrupt, and he glances down at me.
“I will if you will.” He grins, and as I lower mine, he snaps at his men, who do the same.
“We can make a treaty.”
“A treaty?” He laughs, sick and twisted. “You think a treaty is good enough. No. I want a binding proposal. You have sisters. I want one of them to be promised to my boy. A contingency plan, if you will. And as for Antonio, he must agree to marry Ms. Lombardi.”
“No fucking way.” I grit. He’s not stepping anywhere near my sisters. Plus, Stella doesn't want this. She’s made it very clear on her position. If she doesn't feel the way I do for her, how could she even begin to think about being trapped in a marriage with me?
“Then no fucking deal. Boys!” He waves, and they raise their guns again, clicking barrels like windchimes, preparing to shoot.
“Wait!” Tito shouts before turning his eyes to me. “Antonio. Please. See reason. The girls grew up with Kias. Surely, we can make something work.” I can't believe the words coming out of his mouth. He knows just as well as I do that this is a terrible plan. I know he can’t stand war; he only wants peace and will sacrifice for it at all costs. But this is madness.
“No.” I breathe.
“Antonio.'' He looks between my eyes, begging me, making sure I know there isn't another option. We’re at a standstill– a deathly one where no one wins unless we all put our guns down.
I turn my head to Stella. She studies my eyes for a second, no longer shaking. I am basically doing exactly what the Russians were about to do to her by agreeing to this fucking ridiculous deal. We’ll have months to plan this wedding, so it’s not like we won’t be able to talk about it. If I can get the courage to tell her how I really feel, at least it will be out there for her to know. Even if she doesn’t feel the same, at least marrying me will still be her choice, and we can figure out another way to stave off the Russians. It’s a good time-killer.
I turn back to face Nikolai, take a deep breath, and nod.
“Okay.” I suck in my lips. I'm still uneasy about the plan, but I know we can’t do anything about it.
Nikolai raises a finger to say something, and we wait, silently dreading what comes next. “But, you have to marry Stella here. Immediately. My boys will draft up the contract, only when you do this.”
“You–” He raises his brows, so I don’t finish my sentence. Instead, I look over again at Stella, whose eyes have dried completely, studying me with the most curious look. Her hair is long and in waves, her dress practically glowing with lace in all the right places, and her sleeveless top shows off her incredible arms and soft skin.
She’s everything I've ever wanted. And everything I didn't know I needed. But is it fair? To do this to her, to trap her like this? I’m conflicted about whether I should try to resist his orders or just do it. That’s why when I hear myself say, “Fine.” I immediately regret it.
Nikolai is pleased, standing to his feet to shake mine and Tito’s hands. I’m out of my body as he does this, reeling from the shock of what is happening. Kias passes me and mouths ‘thank you.’ Fucking idiot. He would have been lucky to be with Stella Lombardi. So, no. Thank you, fuckwit. .
I stand to my feet as Tito and Jack walk away from us, headed towards the upper deck to further discuss the contract. Stella steps back to the altar, the minister joining her with no expression on his weathered face. It makes me think he’s had his fair share of literal shotgun weddings. Then I find Stella’s gorgeous eyes, glowing mosaic orbs of intrigue, looking between mine. I take her face between my hands and study them.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She nods. “Are you?” She looks me up and down intently.
“I’m okay.” I smile reassuringly, grabbing her hand and pulling off my mother's ring. The priest is waiting for me, palm up, so I pass it to him. Deeply, I inhale, and she furrows her brows.
“You want to be in a loveless marriage?” She bites her pink lips, and I touch my thumb to her delicate chin.
“I know this isn’t what you want.” I take her hands, and tears well in her captivating eyes that I study for a second before continuing. “But, you said something to me in your letter that I can’t get out of my head-“
“Antonio, it’s fine. You don’t have to—” She whispers.
“I do. I do have to because I love you.” Her soft breath catches in the wind, and I think I do the same. Maybe because saying it makes it real or because it causes my heart to beat in the way it does when I'm with her. The way it’s supposed to beat, but apart from her, it’s not the same. Nothing is. I know that now. She furrows her brows as a tear climbs over her lower lash line. I catch it with the back of my finger, then grab her hand once more.
“You said you were sorry that you couldn’t be the one to help me get everything I want from life.” I toggle between her waiting eyes, still begging me not to lie to her, and I couldn’t imagine even trying. “But Stella, you are everything I want from life. Nothing really made sense to me before you walked up to my table at Providence the night we met. Everything I want is you. Anything else is just a bonus. You’re the prize.” She blinks her bleary eyes at me, and I can’t tell what she’s thinking.
“You-you love me?” She swallows.