Dating the Don (Savage Crime Lords #1)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

CRISTIANO

M aeve has hardly stopped looking at her ring since we bought it.

It was supposed to be the easier, more fun part of today. I had hoped for some banter and then a large, gaudy ring that she would have no choice but to wear. I wanted something that I would be able to gloat about every time I saw it on her finger. Instead, we found a replica of her mother’s ring and I worry that I’ve opened up a well of pain inside her.

Now that we’re back at the house, comes the harder part.

Maeve isn't in any condition to speak with Annalisa, but if my mother learns of all of this later on, it will end up far worse for all parties involved. Hearing this goodnews will hopefully help herovercome the melancholy that has swallowed her and kept herbedridden since father's death. However, I have a feeling that when she finds out it's a fake engagement, she will take it badly.

“Are you sure now is the best time to do this? There’s still so much to consider…” Maeve starts, and I pull her in closer to my side by her waist.

I won’t deny that I’m getting a hell of a thrill over the fact that Maeve is letting me touch her so freely. She’s not constantly spinning out of my hold or making those mocking comments like she’s done every other time that I’ve tried to make moves on her in the past. Can’t say that I’m not excited to see just how far I can push these new boundaries.

She still hasn’t even asked me much about the man in the basement, but I’m sure that’s all going to come up soon.

"We should be the ones to tellher," I say. Speaking from experience, whenever my mother learned something afterwards, it was never good. Even though I'm the new capo , shecan still be intimidating.

These days I will take her wrath more happily than the robe-clad cloud of sadness that seems to have wholly engulfed her.

I should have known how this conversation would go just by seeing my mother's shocked expression when I step into the room holding Maeve. With a dramatic flair and a flourish of black robes that only she can pull off, she sweeps over and settles into the lounge chair across from where wedecided to sit.

“No,” Annalisa says bitterly the moment I break the news to her. “Absolutely not.”

Im surprised, I’ll admit. Maeve instantly starts to panic, her shoulders tensing and her eyes flickering towards the door. My mother has always been good to her, but Maeve needs to remember the hierarchy in this household. Whether she likes it or not, my mother has to answer to me.

“Perhaps I wasn’t being clear, mother. I was not seeking your approval. I was merely giving you the courtesy of informing you of the day’s events before you heard about them from other sources. Nothing more, nothing less,” I answer and place a hand possessively on Maeve’s thigh.

“You mean to insult me, is that what you mean?” Annalisa breathes, her lethal softness dangerous.

“I fail to see the insult in my engagement, mother. And I will not endure your dramatics today,” I continue. Not because I do not value her opinion, but because my mother is a shark in her own right. If she sees an ounce of weakness, of blood in the water, she’s going to strike with all her might. She loves me but she raised me to become a cold, hardened man.

“Nothing against you, Maeve, dear. In fact, I think it would be best if she were to step out of the room so that we can have our conversation.” Annalisa lifts her empty teacup from where it rests on the table in between us and holds it out for Maeve to take as she leaves the room. It is exactly the kind of thing she would expect our maids to take care of. But she is no longer our maid; she is to be my wife.

Maeve instinctively starts to stand up and reach forthe teacup.

My hand tightens on her thigh and I force her back down.

With a tiny squeal of surprise, she sits back down. She looks away from my mother, her shoulders hunched forward. I don’t know why she’s acting so damned bashful, but that’s something that we are going to have to work on. She is going to need to be able to sit straight with her feet firmly on the ground if she is to stand beside me and face all the challenges ahead.

She can’t afford to lose sight of who she truly is. I simply won't let her. She’s far too important to me. She is now also far too important for my future ambitions.

“See?” Mother continues. “She’s the help, Cristiano. While we love her, if I had known you were looking for a wife, I would have given you have a list of eligible young women who would love to be considered. From our background.”

“And then what? Have Maeve taken out back and shot in the back of her head?”

Annalisa chews on the inside of her cheek and Maeve flinches. I don’t blame her either. My words are harsh, but they have to be.

“That’s not what I said.”

“Well, the past cannot be undone, mother. So, who would you rather see dead? My right-hand men and his chosen soldiers? Or Maeve? Because if you’re insistent on refusing this marriage, one or all of those parties must die. Which blood would you prefer to have on your hands?” I continue.

“She should not have been down there!” Mother protests again; a futile point to be making as it has already happened. Also, of course she had already been informed.

“I have decided that this is the best way to handle things, and my word is final on the matter. If you do not approve, then that is your problem.” The fact that she’s making these bullshit claims about her birth or ranking hurts me more than I care to admit. I rise from my seat and hold my hand out to Maeve. “Maeve and her mother have been nothing but loyal to our family in all of their years of service to us. You have personally watched Maeve grow into the dedicated and hard-working young woman standing beside me today. Honestly, I am ashamed of you.”

Maeve glances up at me and I see that she’s not cowering at all. The tears that linger in her waterline aren’t of sadness but rage.

I want desperately to brush those tears off but I don’t dare let myself touch her. Not yet. If I do, I might only trigger that infamous temper of hers. Normally, I would be happy to back her up in whatever she is angry about, but perhaps best not my mother. Maeve has always loved her and normally goes out of her way to take care of her under all circumstances, so if she allows her temper to get the better of her, I know she’s going to feel bad about it afterward..

“She’s untried, Cristiano. My son, we do not know the strength of her mettle,” Annalisa tries again, gentler this time.

“She has entered into this engagement with her eyes open and if she is going to trust us, then we will all have to trust her in turn.”

Time to exit the conversation. Mother can sit here and stew on it for as long as she feels necessary.

“I hope that you come around, in time.” I take Maeve’s hand in my own and start to lead us both out.

“Maeve,” Annalisa calls, sternly enough that Maeve actually stops and looks at her, rage in her eyes. “How much?”

“Pardon?” Maeve asks.

Whatever is about to come out of my mother’s mouth next is not going to end well.

“How much do you want?” Annalisa stands, re-wrapping her robe around herself and looking only at her. Smart. She wouldn’t withstand my temper as well as the one of the woman beside me. “You can’t have nearly enough saved up yet for enrollment at the academy you’ve been dreaming about. I’ll foot the bill for that one, or even the studio school in France that I know you’ve looked into. I’ll write you a check right now for the tuition and full living expenses for the next ten years. All you have to do is break off this foolish engagement and walk away from my son and this family right now.”

I think my jaw actually drops.

I knewthat she typically wouldn't mind going above and beyond to achieve her goals. But to go this far? Maeve moves forward as though she is going to respond but to be honest, I don't care to hear what she has to say.

I push her away and stand between the two women. “This is too much, even for you, Mother. I have made my choice and if you try to undermine my decision again, then that just gives me another situation to deal with.”

The threat is obvious as it hovers in the air between us.

“We shall have a formal engagement party in one week. I expect you to have come to your senses by then.”

I pull Maeve out of the room and allow the bedroom door to slam shut behind us. I swear, a gunfight would have been easier to handle than this.