Taken_ A Dark Mafia Romance - Piper Stone Page 0,36

Leaning over, she held the pen in the air for several seconds before placing the tip on the page.

While every action I’d seen from her had been defiant, a child trying to garner attention, this time she had no idea what her actions could mean.

Or the damnation forced on all of us.

Very slowly she drew a huge ‘X’ across the first page, smiling as she slid it toward Christian.

“Gentlemen, while I appreciate the terms of the deal, my answer is fuck you. I have no intention of ever marrying someone I don’t love. Not for love of my family, my country, or my God. And especially not for the Sacred Sect. Now, have yourselves a lovely day. I intend on doing so.”

I’d never seen Christian stunned before. On this day, he was floored. As she walked around us and out the door, all I could do was smile. “Amazing,” I whispered, dragging my finger over my lips as I thought about our kiss.

Christian slammed his hands on the table several times, finally shoving the papers off the table. “That’s bullshit and can’t happen. We have far too much at stake.”

I’d never seen him so unraveled, a rush of crimson creeping up from his neck.

“I will talk to her. She needs an opportunity to understand what’s at stake,” I said, my cock throbbing to the point the pain had moved into anguish.

“Well, you better do that quickly, brother, or all hell is going to break loose.”

I took long strides toward him until we were inches apart. “And why is that, Christian? What the fuck aren’t you telling me?”

He hissed, raking his hand through his hair.

I yanked his arm, snarling, “Tell. Me.”

“The Taglionis are prepared to infiltrate our organization. Their first way? To make certain they yank our agreements with law enforcement. The weight of having the O’Briens in our community is no longer enough.”

“You fucking need me to marry her to keep the mafia from buying off the cops?”

“That’s one way of looking at it. You don’t quite understand, Matteo.”

“Then tell me right now,” I demanded.

“Franco Taglioni, the oldest son of Don Carmine, will take over the organization within two years. He has expressed an interest in forming another alliance in order to unravel our power. His best method of doing so is—”

“By marrying into the family of the community,” I interrupted. Fuck that.

“Whatever the Taglionis have on Donovan is significant. He’ll be forced to turn Winter over to him unless this wedding goes through quickly. If it does, his buddies on both sides of the law will make certain the community is protected no matter what they have to do.”

God. Fucking. Damnit.

There was no other choice. Both Winter and I had been backed into a corner.

And no other man was going to touch her.

She was mine.

I knew exactly what I had to do.

Chapter Eight

Winter

Celebration.

While I should feel sadness, even remorse for the decision I’d made, all I wanted to do was celebrate. Maybe I’d stop and buy a bottle of champagne on the way back to my parents’ house. They could be as pissed at me as they wanted, but this was my life. Even the sob story my mother had told me hadn’t been enough of an influencer.

Sadly, the celebration would have to wait. I knew it was important to get the hell out of town before they attempted to change my mind.

They certainly didn’t need the additional monies they would be given after my marriage. I slapped my hand on the elevator button once again, darting a quick look over my shoulder. Hurry. Please. The last thing I wanted to do was have a confrontation with Matteo.

When the doors slid open, I quickly hurried inside, half expecting him to slide in at the last second. A flood of relief washed through me when the doors closed. Thank God, I’d found the courage to do what was necessary. I’d already booked a return flight for the afternoon. I’d been lucky to get the last seat on the plane.

Nothing was going to stop me from going.

As the elevator opened, I braced to see Matteo’s face. There was no one I recognized as I peered out into the lobby, the crowd of comings and goings allowing me to breathe easier once again. I took quick steps into the lobby, moving toward the underground parking garage, able to see the car I’d borrowed from my parents in the distance.

The clipping of my heels on the concrete echoed, the sound giving me goosebumps.