Chapter 10 Anson
TEN
ANSON
I’d been spending a lot of time at my father’s place as of late, so much so that I’d even taken to just crashing in one of the many bedrooms he had some nights.
“What’s this?” I frowned at the medical report on Bianca and the babies.
“A problem.” Matteo sat back in his chair behind his desk, his eyes on me. “Want to take care of it for me?”
“How? Because I’m not going to kill Bianca or her babies.”
Matteo waved me off. “No worries, Alessandro. You likely won’t need to. Carmine is coming. He’ll tend to it, I’m sure. A Russian infant? Dominic in bed with the enemies?” He let out a soft laugh.
I frowned at that. “You can’t let him do that. You need to let her go—”
“She’s as good as dead the moment Carmine steps foot inside this house. An unmarried woman pregnant with a De Santis heir and a Russian enemy? That’s instant death.” He snapped his fingers. “And if it’s not, it’ll catch up to her eventually. Just like your mother.”
I clenched my jaw at his words. “Do you think he had something to do with Mom and Tia?”
“I don’t have solid evidence, but I can only assume.” He looked away from me, a muscle thrumming along his jaw.
“Give her back to Dominic—”
“I can’t,” he said stiffly. “He doesn’t deserve happiness.”
“Father—”
“He is one of the main reasons for my misery. He gets nothing from me but heartache and pain. If it’s his woman dying, so be it.”
“No,” I said, getting to my feet, my chest heaving. “I-I can’t stand by and let that happen. She’s a good person. Dominic is a good person—”
“She will die when Carmine gets here. It is his way.”
I said the first thing that came to mind. Call me crazy, but I couldn’t let Bianca die.
“I’ll marry her. I want her.”
Matteo looked slowly over at me, an unreadable expression on his face.
“What?”
“I’ll marry her. Arrange it,” I whispered. “Rosalie doesn’t want me. I want t-to settle down. I will marry her. I’m your heir. It’ll save her and the babies. I’ll raise them as mine. I’ll protect them.”
“You’ve lost your mind. You will have Rosalie Bishop.”
“Rosalie and I are never happening,” I said fiercely, the words making my chest ache.
“Never. Let me do this, Father. I am begging you to let me have something. I don’t want to hurt anymore.
Please. I-I can be a good father. A good husband.
I will care for Bianca. It’ll piss off Dominic, too, which is what you want. Please. I want her. Give her to me.”
“You would marry her and be the father to her children?”
I licked my lips. “I would.”
He studied me for a moment before he hit a button on his desk.
“Alessio, bring me Bianca.”
I exhaled, my hands trembling. Fuck, what was I doing?
Saving an innocent woman and two babies.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Matteo asked softly.
“Yes,” I whispered. “She’s beautiful. She’s smart. She’d be a good match for me. We aren’t complete strangers either. I-I think I could make her happy.”
“But would you be happy?”
“I think I would be. I’d have a family like I’ve always wanted.” This made sense. I did want a family of my own. A wife. Children. A home. The fucking front porch.
I shoved those thoughts out of my head and looked at my hands.
It didn’t matter anymore. I was going to keep Bianca safe.
It was the right thing to do. It wasn’t about family.
Not really. It was about saving someone who deserved to be saved.
And who knew. Maybe I’d get the front porch, although it would be unlikely since Dominic would probably kill me.
It didn’t matter anymore, though. Bianca needed help.
I was here. Single. It made sense. I could help her.
“What about Carmine? Will it be an issue?” I asked.
“Perhaps, but likely not as big as one. If nothing else, it buys some time.”
“Time?” I frowned at him.
“To plot the perfect murder,” he answered softly.
Before I could question what that meant, the door to the office opened, and Alessio came in, dragging Bianca with him. By the looks of her, she was terrified as she held her belly in a clear signal to let us know she would die trying to protect her babies.
Immediately, I knew this was the best decision. She needed me. I owed it to Dominic for whatever reason.
Alessio released her, and she instinctively stepped toward me. I extended my hand to her. She hesitated for a moment before she took it. I guided her to her seat, and she sat, her hand trembling in mine.
“You are going to die in a matter of months,” Matteo said softly, his eyes fixed on her.
Her bottom lip trembled, but she kept her chin up.
“How does that make you feel?” Matteo raised his brows at her.
“Like I won’t be going alone. I’ll be taking you with me,” she said in a dangerous snarl.
I glanced at Matteo to see him smirking at her. He sat back in his seat again.
“Well, how about Alessandro offers you a way out?” Matteo nodded to me. “Ask her.”
Fuck.
I exhaled and went to a knee in front of her and held her hand tightly.
“Bianca, would you do me the honor o-of being my wife?” I rasped, my voice shaking. God, this wasn’t how I wanted to propose to a woman. Fucking goddamnit.
“What?” She crinkled her brows at me.
“Say yes,” I whispered so only she could hear me. “Bianca. Please. Say yes.”
If you say no, you’ll die. Carmine will kill you and the babies. Please, fucking say yes.
“I…” She looked at me, then to Matteo for a moment before looking back at me. She licked her lips before clearing her throat.
“Yes.” Her answer shook, but that was all I needed to hear.
I could do this. The hard part was over.
“Seal it with a kiss,” Matteo said.
Fucking damnit.
I leaned in and cradled her face. She stared back at me with pretty, confused blue eyes before I closed the distance between us and kissed her like her life depended on it… because it did.
She didn’t kiss me back.
That was fine. This counted as far as I was concerned because at least she wasn’t punching me.
“I don’t have a ring,” I mumbled, pulling away from her. “Sorry.”
She said nothing, opting to give me a smile which didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Alessio, you and Klaus let the appropriate channels know that my son and heir will be taking a bride.” Matteo stood.
Alessio nodded wordlessly and left the room.
Matteo strode forward as I helped Bianca to stand. I stepped aside for him, so he was face-to-face with her.
“Alessandro just saved your life,” he said to her. “You should be on your knees thanking him for his sacrifice. I expect you’ll fulfill your duties to him.”
She stared back at him, her bottom lip trembling.
“The wedding will happen in only weeks. I expect it’ll be a happy union.”
“What about my babies?” she demanded, her voice strong. “They’ll be born by then.”
“That will be up to your husband to decide.” Matteo nodded at me. “Take her back to her room. You’re dismissed.”
Matteo went back to his chair and sat. I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed Bianca’s hand and led her out of his office.
“What the hell is going on—”
“Shh. The walls have ears,” I muttered, hanging a left at the top of the third-floor stairs instead of going right, which would have taken us to her room.
She snapped her mouth closed and entered my room with me. I knew my room was secure. I’d made sure of it.
I closed the door behind me and breathed out.
“Carmine is coming. He will kill you. He’ll probably kill me, too, but at least I’ll have a chance to try to save us. I have it on a pretty good suspicion that Matteo won’t let me die, so you and the babies should be safe. For now.”
“So that was real? We have to get married?”
“Yes,” I muttered.
“What about Rosalie?”
“What about her? She’s not my girl, nor will she ever be.” I moved past her and went to the bar in the room and poured a drink. I slammed it back and poured another.
She walked over to the bar, perched on the stool, and stared at me. She really was beautiful. Gorgeous. Dom and the kings were lucky to have her. I’d do what I had to do to ensure she stayed alive.
“You’re my girl now,” I said, placing the glass back on the top of the bar. “That means you’ll act like it.”
“Don’t you start your shit with me—”
“For the babies,” I said softly. “Give me this, Bianca. Please. I’ll even let you call Dominic and the guys once I know you’re going to behave. This needs to look real for Carmine. For Matteo. OK? Play the part. That means you’ll kiss me and act like you give a damn for me.”
“Do I have to fuck you?” She narrowed her eyes at me.
I scoffed. “Your call, sparkles.”
“Sparkles.” She crinkled her brows before shaking her head.
“You’re like a pretty little sparkle in some rather dark times,” I murmured. “At least you were. At least I hope you will be again.”
She let out a shaky breath, and her walls came down. A soft sob left her lips.
Quickly, I went around the bar and pulled her in for a hug.
“I-I miss the guys,” she wept softly. “I want to go home.”
“It’s OK,” I whispered. “We’ll get you there. Just be strong for a little longer. I promise I’ll do whatever I can to help you.” I pulled away and cradled her face, taking in all the tears. “Fuck, Bianca. Don’t cry. Please.”
“You promise this isn’t part of some elaborate thing where I’ll end up hurt? Or my babies will?”
“I chose you,” I said gently. “I chose the babies. I care. With my choice comes my protection. You have me, Bianca. I’m your fiancé.
You’re going to be my wife. I will do everything within my power to honor, respect, and ensure your safety.
That is my vow to you.” I thumbed away her tears before leaning in and brushing my lips across her forehead. “Come on. I want you to rest.”
I helped her off the stool and brought her to my bed. She hesitated for a moment before crawling onto the mattress. I slid in next to her. She was quick to cuddle me, her fingers twisted in my shirt. I wrapped my arm around her and breathed out.
“I’ll get you a ring tomorrow,” I murmured.
“I don’t need one. Just your word.”