“If you want to prove to them that it does, get engaged.” He exhaled heavily. I heard the smack of his cigarette box against his palm, followed by theclickof his lighter. “I don’t understand why this isn’t an easy fix, sir. Everybody knows how you feel about her.”
My blood went cold in my veins. “What?”
“It was obvious, Cas. Ever since she took you in, everybody has known. It’s not a secret. That’s why the Family expects it.”
Was it really that obvious that I’d loved her all this time?
“I…” I swallowed while I paced the hallway. I didn’t care that people had known or thought I was stupid for loving her for so long, or whatever fucking reason. I wasn’tembarrassed. But I would be livid if the whole reason the men were demanding she be married was because they knew how I felt about her.
If the men didn’t know how much I loved her, would they even be asking this question? Would they be listening at all?
“How many men have said they’ll come to the meeting?”
His breathpuffedwhen he blew out a drag. “If I could at least start telling them it’s on the table, I know I could get more men to show up. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee more than probably ten.”
Fuck.
Ten fucking men. That was it?
“And what if we were engaged?”
He paused, considering. “Maybe fifty. I’m not sure. I can’t talk to too many men without risking Max finding out.”
Fifty. Five times the men would come if we were engaged.
I dragged my hand down my face. I knew what I had to tell him.
“I’m going to propose.”
“You are?” Giulio’s voice raised in surprise. “That’s a huge relief.”
“Just get the men to that meeting, Giulio,” I said through gritted teeth. “We’ll go from there.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll keep you posted.”
I hung up and slipped back inside, avoiding Obi, who was still sitting in the kitchen.
If I could just get Leona in front of them, they’d see her, and they’d be blown away by how much she’s changed. They’ll see all of us standing behind her, and they’ll know she’s serious, as long as they showed up.
We were a better choice than Max. We needed to show that we had the power to take him down, and if they wanted to survive, they needed to be on our side.
Right now, telling Giulio that I would propose was the only thing I could say or do that would even get us the opportunity to turn the men to our side.
Without the men, this entire plan was dead in the water.
I’d figure out what to do about a proposal before the meeting.
33
LEONA
“Ciel?” I whispered as I poked my head into his room.
It was already noon, but I had no idea when he went to sleep or woke up. His room was soundproofed, plus with the blackout curtains, you could never quite tell what time it was.
“I should have known,” I said, stepping inside. He was awake, sitting at his desk, and working.
“Hey,” he responded, barely looking up. Screens lit up the darkness, but I turned his light on.
