~ Niamh ~
Massimo drained half of his whiskey before he finally replied to his father. "We met when you sent me for a mission inspection at the new club in El Paso five years ago because Cris had something to take care of, and Dom was still in prison at the time…"
I was startled by the revelation of Domino spending time in jail.
As I looked at him though, it wasn't really surprising. With his tattoos and that jagged scar, he looked exactly like he belonged behind bars.
My attention drifted back to Massimo's explanation.
"It never occurred to me that she was a mafia princess, let alone an O'Connor, when I saw her," he glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "She was all alone and looked a bit lost with no sign of a companion, let alone an escort nearby. I approached her, and we spent the night together."
Just like that? How could he summarize our encounter so briefly without even hinting about the intense connection we shared? Or didn't he feel it too?
I clenched my fist, my nails biting into my palms, desperately wanting to punch his face.
"And what happened the following morning?" Juliette probed, curiosity etched in her voice as she leaned forward.
"I left," he shrugged, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to do. "I had something important to take care of."
My heart burned at his words, my fury threatening to spill over.
"Something important?" I repeated. My voice was barely above a whisper, but the room was so quiet that it echoed.
"Yeah, I was in a hurry, too. That's why I left without bothering to wake you up—plus, you needed the rest." His eyes darkened as he held my gaze, his words hinting at our sex marathon that night and how he had used up my body until my energy was completely drained.
I was livid now. "You were in a hurry? Is that why you couldn't be bothered to leave your contact info before you bolted and instead, left a flimsy two hundred bucks? Is that why you left me to raise a son alone for four years because you were in such a hurry you couldn't wrap your little dick in a condom?"
"Little dick? Holy smokes," Cristiano laughed loudly, the sound rich and contagious and I took pleasure in seeing Massimo's face redden with anger and embarrassment.
His equipment was far from little, but I needed anything that would make him as livid as I was.
"You just tarnished our reputation, Mass. The Valentinos aren't known for little dicks," Domino said, shaking his head as he lit up a cigarette, a cloud of grey smoke drifting towards the ceiling while Lorenzo and Cristiano laughed even harder.
"Both of you, shut the bloody hell up," Massimo glared at his brothers.
"Two hundred bucks for sex is pretty low, Mass. You didn't do well, I must tell you," Marietta added, her expression full of disappointment.
"That was all the cash I had on me at the time, and there was no time to get more!" Massimo snapped at her.
"Why even drop the money then?" I asked him, crossing my arms over my chest. "Did I look like a prostitute on duty when you approached me? Or worse, a cheap one who charges two hundred bucks in exchange for her virginity?"
Massimo opened his mouth, then shut it, visibly trying to arrange his words.
He tried again. "I didn't know you were a virgin—that's why I left the money. I thought you deserved something for giving me your virginity, but unfortunately, I didn't have enough cash to truly compensate you. And I didn't leave my contact because I didn't intend to take things further. it was supposed to be a one-night stand."
I gritted my teeth to hold back the tears that were beginning to well up in my eyes.
How had I fallen for such a heartless, soulless monster?
I had actually thought he felt the same connection I did that night. But here he was, boldly confessing that it was just a one-night stand and he had no intention of ever taking things further.
I felt so foolish. So used. But who could blame me? The connection between us had felt so real.
For a moment, we just glared at each other, the room thick with a tension so heavy it was almost suffocating, and the smell of expensive whiskey and Domino's cigarette smoke didn't help.
"Massimo is right, Niamh," Don Giacomo spoke up. "I had to pull him away from there because of an emergency he needed to handle. That was why he had to leave immediately."
I scoffed and looked the Don in the eye, holding his gaze no matter how difficult it was. "That's not an excuse. It doesn't justify the cruel actions of your son, so stop trying to defend him. It doesn't make him any less of an asshole."
"Niamh, I think that's enough," Juliette's voice was firm as she stared me down. "I understand how you feel. I believe you deserved better treatment than what my son gave you, but the thing is, we cannot change the past. We have to focus on what's important now, and that is finding a solution for the war that's coming."
"War?" I frowned, clearly taken aback.
"Yes," Don Giacomo took over. "Massimo came between a deal involving the Irish and the Russian syndicate by taking you and your son away from them and leaving behind several casualties. Now, both syndicates are going to retaliate to get back their prized possession—which is you and your son—and we won't let them take you, because you both are one of us now. The result? A full-scale war."
"I'm not one of you," I countered. "I and my son don't belong to anybody."
"Wrong," the Don replied. "That kid has Valentino blood running in his veins, and you are his mother. That makes you both family."
"It doesn't matter if he has Valentino blood or animal blood in his veins," I snapped, and Cristiano snickered. "My son and I refuse to be part of any family. We are going as far away from this chaos as possible, so you don't have to worry."
Domino snorted, smoke escaping his nostrils. "And how far do you think you'll get before the Irish and the Russians hunt you down and capture you both?"
I stood up and looked at him. "Look, I appreciate you for saving us, but I think I'll be able to take it from here."
"Don't be silly, Niamh," Lorenzo admonished. "You won't make it far. We are your only hope for survival."
"That's what you think, but let me remind you that I am a mafia princess. I have enough contacts who are obligated to do whatever I want, including keeping my son and me safe," I said, planting my hands on my hips.
"Let me also remind you that your uncle now rules the Irish syndicate and sold you off to the Russians for a flimsy alliance. How many of your men do you think are still obligated to you, Princess?" Lorenzo asked.
I had a strong urge to smack the smug smile right off his face.
"I don't care. I'll find a way," I said after a long beat.
"There is no other way, Niamh, other than becoming officially part of this family," Don Giacomo revealed.
I turned to face him. "Officially part of the family? What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means we can kill two birds with one stone. If you are officially one of us, you and your son become members of the Valentino family, and we avoid a full-scale war. If there is one thing the underworld respects, it is family," the Don explained.
I frowned, struggling to follow his logic. "And how am I supposed to be officially part of your family?"
The question hung in the air as Don Giacomo leisurely picked up the bottle on the table and poured himself more whiskey.
The amber liquid splashed against the glass, sounding loud in the tense silence as everyone waited for him to answer the question.
He took a sip of his drink before he looked at me and stated simply. "Marriage."
Marriage. Wait... What?!
"Father, it won't work," Domino interjected. "They won't buy it. Snatching an asset and then claiming possession through marriage won't make them back off. It'll just make them look stupid and set them off even more."
"Dom's right," Massimo supported him. "Unless the marriage was secured before the deal took place."
"We'll go through the details later, but first," the Don looked at me steadily, "she has to agree to it."
"Wait, by marriage, you mean I should marry one of your sons?" I asked, still reeling.
"Yes. Massimo, to be specific. He is the logical choice since you already have a son with him." The Don confirmed my worst fear.
"You must be joking, right?" I shook my head and laughed hysterically, stepping away from them as if they were an infection.
Don Giacomo had to be kidding. He had to be trying to get a reaction out of me. Maybe the alcohol was beginning to mess with his brain.
"Niamh, it's the only way to control the situation," Juliette said, her voice soft but unyielding. "It's the only way to end the war before it starts. Otherwise, everyone will be in real danger—especially you and your son."
"Or you can marry me instead if that makes you feel better, sweetheart," Cristiano lifted his glass at me in a toast, his dark eyes dancing with mischief, but I was too wound up to register his charm.
No. There had to be another way. Because there was no way in heaven, on earth, or in hell that I was going to marry Massimo Valentino.
Impossible!