Page 54 of His to Love
A muscle tightened in his jaw. I decided to deliver the final blow before he could speak. Might as well get all his anger out at once.
“And I have a date.”
“You what?” His eyebrows arched in surprise. I took little comfort in being able to shock him.
“I recently reconnected with someone I knew when I lived here previously.”
“You were a child then.”
“And I’m an adult now,” I said in a clipped voice, my patience wearing thin. “And able to make my own decisions. I will not be forced into a marriage that I do not want. I will not be used or manipulated. I made that clear to my father before I returned home.”
A slow grin spread on Malik’s face. It was calculating and calm and sent a chill down my spine.
“What you seem to fail to understand, Gabriella, is that youarethis family. You, and any children you have, any legacy you leave, will forever be tied to the empire your father, and his father before him, built. It will be a very perilous choice if you try to separate yourself from it.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“No. I’m pointing out the wisdom in knowing who you are and who you belong to.”
My eyes widened and my blood chilled further. “And you’re implying that I am someone’s to own?”
“Bad choice of words,” he said, dismissing my question with a wave of his hand. “But you have to understand that your father has many enemies. His stepping down will not be taken lightly. He has chosen me to protect you, and it wouldn’t be a sign of your intelligence to turn your back on it.”
I swallowed and looked away. I also couldn’t help the sneer that lifted one side of my lips. Taking a few deep breaths, I paused to think for a few moments before responding.
“I will not marry you,” I told Malik when I had calmed down.
A small hint of amusement eased the harshness in his features. “You have made that clear. But you must also understand that when I am in charge of the Detroit family, it will be my job and my prerogative to help keep you safe—from any and all threats.”
I heard the slight edge of darkness in his tone and chose to ignore it.
“I really must go.” I stepped away and toward the door.
“I would like you to consider something,” Malik said when my hand wrapped around the door handle.
“What’s that?”
“I understand you and Jimmy are not close. And I cannot fathom the sudden defiance of your own legacy.”
I arched a brow and waited for him to continue. He didn’t need to fathom anything, and I was done arguing with this man. Tyson was waiting for me and nothing had ever sounded better than a beer and his arms around me in his small home. It had more warmth than anything I had ever lived in simply because he would be there with me.
“I would still like you to attend the benefit with me.”
I scoffed and he lifted a hand to silence me. “It would make your father happy and he’s under enough stress. Between your mother’s illness and the business, he’s had enough to handle. There are stirrings in Chicago and Boston, families who have wanted to take control from him for years are moving in. They’ve discovered that your mother is sick, and they believe your father is growing weak. They’re getting more aggressive and tensions are mounting, Gabriella. Now is not the time to upset him.”
No one had ever spoken so blatantly to me about anything to do with the business. Still, I opened my mouth to refuse, but that niggling part of me in the back of mind reminded me of family loyalty.
“You’re manipulating me by using my mother,” I stated, daring him to argue. He didn’t. He simply shrugged and slid his hands into the front pockets of his pants.
“You understand that this is out of obligation and not for pleasure,” I told him, feeling myself cave.
“I understand.” He smiled. It felt like he was teasing me. I had no doubt that he was currently thinking of ways to change my mind, but he wouldn’t. There was nothing he could do that would make me want to marry into this underground empire forever.
“Then I will go with you on Saturday.”
Victory sparkled in his eyes. “I will pick you up at six.”
I nodded, feeling sick to my stomach at the thought. There was no way this could go well, but at least I had a few days to prepare myself for whatever he intended to do. “Until then. Good night, Malik.”
