My voice surprised even me—how flat and cold it was.
“I already made my decision,” I said, leaving no room for an argument.
A flicker of pain crossed his face, but it quickly turned into anger.
“I knew you’d do something like this. That’s why I told my father to call the Don.” I continued, “He agreed,” I swallowed,
“As of this morning, there’s a new arrangement—an offer to marry the Russian princess. It’ll end the bloodshed. It’ll save lives. It’s what people like my father want. And maybe... maybe you want it too.”
“You should take it,” I said. “Marry her. It’s a good deal.”
He stared at me like he didn’t recognize me.
“f**k the Russians,” he snapped. “f**k the deals. I don’t care about any of it. I care about you. You’re all I want. You’ve always been it for me, Ariella.”
I didn’
