Page 10 of His Deadly Devotion

“He’s about to be locked on a plane with you for two days. There aren’t enough drugs in the world to take that kind of suffering away.” Enzo wraps an arm around Aurora’s shoulder.

I hate it. I know it’s stupid. Irrational. He’s her brother. But he’s touching her. I don’t like anyone touching her.

The asshole tilts his head while glaring in my direction. Then he smiles and kisses the side of her face. “Your boyfriend is jealous that I’m hugging you. That’s weird,” Enzo says, assuming I can’t understand him. I keep my face neutral. Aurora has no idea that I know Italian. It wasn’t hard to pick up the language over the last few months.

“Leave him alone. I mean it, Enzo. I can and will make your life hell if you chase him away.” Aurora replies, thinking I’m none the wiser.

“I’m going to miss you, little sister. Make sure Lorenzo keeps up with your training. I know he’s not as great a teacher as yours truly, but he’ll do,” Enzo says, switching back to English.

“Thank you. Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone,” Aurora tells him.

“Come on, let’s do this before I change my mind,” Mr. Valentino grumbles.

I release Aurora’s hand when she reaches her father, and step back a little. He holds on to her tight, and I consider the idea that maybe he won’t let her go. I wouldn’t blame him. She’s not easy to let go of.

Eventually he does, though. Then Mr. Valentino looks at me. “Not a hair on her head is to be harmed. Know there isn’t a rock you will be able to hide under if something happens to her,” he says.

I nod. There aren’t any limits I won’t cross to protect Aurora. It doesn’t need to be said.Heknows that.

Aurora wraps her hand around mine. “Let’s not pretend I’m a damsel in distress who needs a man to protect her. We all know that’s not me.”

“Aurora, don’t do anything stupid and do not—I repeat—do. Not. Put yourself in unnecessary danger,” Mr. Valentino warns. “You are my pride and joy. Do not put the most important thing in the world to me in jeopardy.”

“Standing right here,” Enzo grunts, only to be ignored.

“I won’t. I promise. I’ll be safe,” Aurora tells her father.

Settling into the lounge-style seats on the jet a few minutes later, I look over at Aurora. “You were right,” I tell her.

“About what?” she asks.

“Your family. They are better than mine. My father would have killed you in front of me. Not let me run off with you.”

“You don’t know that, Connor. I’m sorry I’m the reason you're leaving your parents. Maybe this will all blow over,” she suggests.

“It won’t, and you’re not the reason.I’mthe reason. I’m choosing you, Aurora. I think, for the first time in my life, I’m doing something that I actually want to do.” I pause. “Be with you.”

“I want you to be with me too.” Aurora smiles. “Whenthis all blows over, Connor, I might just marry you.”

“When this is all over, I might just ask you to marry me,” I reply.

“Pfft, I don’t need you to ask me, Connor. I know you want to marry me.” She smiles, so sure of herself. “Besides, if you don’t, I might have to marry someone else, and you know what married people do, Connor? They fuck. A lot.”

My eyes narrow in on her. She’s fucking with me. I know she is, and it’s working. “Aurora, marry me. Now. Like right now.”

“There’s no priest, or church, and my mom isn’t here so I can’t marry you right now.” She shrugs. “But play your cards right and I might one day.”

“You do know I’d never actually let you marry anyone else,” I tell her. She’s out of her mind if she thinks I’d let hereven date anyone else. “We are all in, Aurora Valentino. I’m leaving everything, everyone I’ve ever known to be with you. I’m choosing you. I need you to choose me too.”

Her face softens. “Connor, I chose you the moment I saw you. There has never been any other choice. I love you. If you want to get off this jet in London and disappear, just you and me, we can do that,” she says.

“I would never ask you to leave your family. Besides, I get you all to myself for how ever long it takes to get to Australia, right? There’s a bedroom behind us. I’ve never joined the mile high club, and I know for a fact that you haven’t either.” I smirk. I’m the only man she’s ever been with. I have all of her firsts. This will just be another one to add to the list.

“You’re injured,” Aurora states as if that’s going to stop me.

“I don’t care,” I tell her right as a stewardess approaches us.

“Hi, my name is Helen. I’ll be taking care of your and your sister’s needs until we land in London,” she directs to me.