Page 121 of Rum & Coke

“In fact, let’s do this now.” Sebastian downed the amber liquor.

“Do what?” I questioned.

“Come.” He reached out his hand for me.

I swallowed and took his hand. His office was a bad place to me and nothing good ever truly happened there, but I was trying to show him I wasn’t scared of him anymore, so I let him help me off the couch and then lead me up the stairs and to his office while Valentina watched Colt. I was on alert as I watched him walk behind his desk.

“Sit.” He gestured for me to take one of the high back chairs in front of his desk. I did. “Do you know I’m Catholic?” he asked.

I shook my head. “No. Do you go to church?”

He smiled. “Not as often as I should.”

“Okay?”

“Do you know what’s frowned upon in the Catholic church?”

“Murder?” I sassed.

He chuckled. “There’s my feisty Tessa. I knew you were still in there.”

“Just stating the obvious.” For the past few days, I’d been really trying to make the first move, and even though I wanted to throw hateful words at him for just breathing, I hadn’t because I needed the plan to work.

“Yes, I guess you’re right. But do you know what else?”

I shrugged. “I’m not really religious.”

“But you believe in God, yes?”

“Of course.” I wasn’t sure why he was bringing up God. Did murderers think that just because they were religious, God would save their souls when they died? I didn’t think so.

“So do I, even though I don’t go to Mass to recite a bunch of Hail Marys.”

“Why are you talking to me about God?”

“Because.” He stood and walked around the desk toward me. “We’re having a baby, and I don’t want to have a baby out of wedlock.”

My mouth fell open. The plan worked. It fucking worked like a charm. “You want to marry me?”

He dropped to one knee and held up a massive oval cut diamond ring on a gold band. I didn’t know how big the main diamond was, but I was sure it was going to cover two fingers. “I’ve always wanted to be a father, and I’m certain you will grow to love me. We can be a happy family.”

Our gazes stayed locked, and I waited a few moments, pretending I was thinking it over. The sad part was I’d manipulated Valentina because she missed her sons. But I needed this. I just hoped Joss followed through.

“Well?” he prompted.

My gaze moved to the diamond and then back up to his blue eyes. I started to smile slowly. “Okay.”

His eyes became huge. “You will?”

I nodded and smiled wider. “Yes.”

Before I realized it, he engulfed me in a hug. “Our relationship might have started off on the wrong foot, but like you once told me, things happen for a reason. You won’t regret this.”

I hoped I wouldn’t. This plan would either hasten my escape or seal my death, because if I had to marry him, there was only one way out. I couldn’t live under his control forever.

“They do,” I replied to the first part of his statement. “When do you want to get married? I’ll be showing before we know it.”

He slipped the ring onto my left hand. “Then we will make it soon.”