him. Now she knew why he didn’t want a witness. She didn’t dare look at her bodyguards, and knew Mitya was going to know everything said, probably before she had a chance to tell him. It was obvious that Marzio was sincere. “But you do business with Mitya. All of you do.”
“Business is one thing, allowing a man like this to have a treasure is something else. Alessandro tells me your female is close to the Han Vol Dan.”
She glanced at his son. The brothers were across the room, giving their father privacy, but she knew they could hear every word. She inclined her head slowly.
“I have four sons, all good men. All willing to marry you and treat you with the respect you deserve. Alessandro in particular would very much like to have a chance with you.”
She leaned toward the patriarch of the Caruso family. So far, everything Marzio had said was the strict truth. She could hear the ring of sincerity in his voice. “My leopard has accepted Mitya’s leopard’s claim. They are bonded together. You know that’s sacred. Once done, the law of our people is strictly on his side.”
Ania was extremely glad that Mitya had touched on that very thing a few days earlier. She wouldn’t have known what to say.
“Your female isn’t as certain of the bond as you appear to think,” the older man said, his voice gentler than ever.
Ania cursed her wayward leopard. She was new at this, bonding with her female, happy she had her, but not knowing what to do when Jewel was so afraid of Dymka. She had to get Evangeline or Ashe alone for a talk.
“They’re bonded,” she repeated. “My female is nervous, yes, but she accepted the pairing.”
“It has to be her first cycle, and she can make a mistake.”
This was worse than it would have been had Marzio been talking to her about her father’s death. She feared that subject was coming next. She glanced toward the door. One of Marzio’s sons, Benedetto, leaned against it. He was a good-looking man and very serious. There was no laughter in his eyes, just that focused stare that told her his leopard was very close. She sent up a silent prayer that Jewel didn’t suddenly decide to rise.
“Marzio, it is too late to have this conversation, although I appreciate your concern.”
“He can be challenged.”
Her gaze jumped across the room to Alessandro. At the same time her heart accelerated, and every leopard in the room heard. She shook her head. “Don’t let any of your sons try that, Marzio, please. First, I know I am his mate. I know it. I can’t say in all honesty that I’m not nervous sometimes, but I can say I know I’m supposed to be with him. You can’t defeat him in a fight. None of you can.”
The moment the words were out of her mouth, she wished she could take them back. These men, his sons, were strong, healthy and full of pride. She had just as much as told them she didn’t think they were nearly up to challenging Mitya or his leopard—which she didn’t, but she should have been far more careful.
“You know a little of his past, Marzio. I know quite a bit more. His leopard is a fighting machine. In any case . . .” She made a move to stand. “Mitya is my choice.”
Marzio laid a gentle hand on her knee to keep her from moving. “If this is your choice and I can’t persuade you to listen to reason, I will have to accept it. Just be aware you have allies in the Caruso family. Your father was a friend I cared about. Do you know who was behind the supposed robbery? He spoke to me a few times right after the shooting occurred and he indicated at that time that he believed his family had been targeted.”
She lifted her gaze to Marzio’s. He was telling the truth as far as she could tell. He probably had discussed the subject with her father. They had been close friends prior to the shooting. She couldn’t tell by looking into his eyes whether or not he was her greatest enemy. A betrayal from him would have been devastating to her father. Would Antosha have told her if he suspected Marzio had betrayed him?
It was difficult to resist looking at Kiriil or Matvei, but it wouldn’t have done her any good. They would be wearing expressionless masks and looking right