She took a deep breath. This was so much harder than the conversation with Romeo. Rose didn’t give a fuck what the Capparelli thought of her, but she loved her parents. She didn’t want to have to draw the line in the sand between them, but they were leaving her no choice. “Last night Papa laid out the reasons we couldn’t be together. I’ve negated those reasons. Kirill has entered into an alliance with the Verduccis, and in the process promised not to be a safe harbor for Jovan or his people. Romeo has also agreed to maintain the alliance even if I marry Dante.” No need to get into the Lev business now. That was between her and Romeo.
“He kidnapped you.” Her mother spoke slowly.
“It’s hardly the first time it’s happened in family history.” Rose shrugged. “He’s ruthless and he’s smart and he’s gone for me. More, he’s not from a local family, so there’s no potential shit about favoritism the way there would have been with the Capparellis. It’s a good play.”
Mama narrowed her eyes. “His actions put the family into a tailspin that we’re still struggling to correct. He drew Jovan’s eye.”
Rose crossed her arms over her chest. “So you’re going to pretend you didn’t find out Casimir booked his ticket the day before my wedding? Jovan was always going to come for us—for me. Dante has nothing to do with it.”
Papa finally unfroze enough to say. “Nyet, Roza. I will not allow it. He’s made our family look like fools.”
“Like you did with the O’Malleys?” she asked sweetly. “Don’t you think if you and Uncle Aiden can get past several years’ worth of schemes and backstabbing, you should be able to do the same with Dante?”
“It’s not the same.”
“It’s exactly the same.” She held his gaze. “You raised me to be just as cunning and ruthless as you are, Papa. You know the lengths you went to get Mama. Do you really think I’ll do any less for the man I want?”
“Why him?” Mama finally sat back. “You could have anyone. Why this man?”
“He’s mine. I won’t have another.”
“It’s not an easy path you’re choosing, daughter.”
She lifted her chin. “I know. But I can handle it. You’ve raised me to be able to handle it.”
Mama and Papa shared one of those loaded looks that contained an entire conversation in a glance. He sighed, the sound resigned. “No one is going to excommunicate you, Roza. We’ll…give our blessing.”
“Danke, Papa.” The tension left her in a rush that made her dizzy. Surely this was too easy? Except it wasn’t over, was it? This was only the first step in a long confrontation. Her and Dante were only part of a larger picture. The entire family was at risk from Jovan and his family. “Shall we go over what to expect tomorrow?”
“Later.” He waved that away. “Go collect your man. If he’s going to be part of the family, we had best get this finished as quickly as possible.”
She frowned. “Finished?”
“Da. There’s only one way Jovan will take this move seriously. Call your man. I’ll call the priest.”
Her thoughts slowed and went still. “You can’t be serious.”
“If this is what you want—who you want—this is the only path forward. Choose, Roza.” He pushed to his feet, and for the first time in her life, her father looked old. “There can be no half measures with Jovan. He’ll capitalize on them and use them against us. Against you. Are you confident enough in this man to marry him tonight?”
Her mouth moved, but no words came out. It felt like she’d barely gotten a grasp on the situation and now it spun out of control yet again, slipping through her fingers. She stared at her father, but Rose couldn’t tell if he was trying to bluff or if this was simply the only way forward he could see. Even after knowing him her entire life, she honestly couldn’t say one way or another.
Part of her balked at being forced to choose so quickly, but…hadn’t she already chosen? The moment she decided to defy her parents and go behind their backs to negotiate with Romeo and Kirill, it was only ever going to end one way between her and Dante. With them at an altar, exchanging vows and rings. “You don’t want to make a public spectacle of the wedding this time?”
“I think it’s best we move quickly. We will hold a reception later on, once things have calmed.”
Really, there was no question as to her answer. Looking back, it was impossible to ignore the thread of fate that seemed to weave between her and Dante from the moment they met. Yes, things had hardly been normal, even for their world, but the connection? Undeniable. She’d told the truth when she’d called him hers. There was absolutely no reason not to make it official for all the world to see. “Very well.”
Papa shook his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing”
“I do.” She even meant it. They would stand against Jovan. That confrontation was always coming, but they were strong. They had allies. They would find a way to prevail. “We’ll see it through.”
“Summon him, then. We’ll get this wrapped up tonight.”
Rose turned and walked out of the office. She felt strange. Happy and yet not at the same time. She and her parents had clashed a number of times over the years, but she’d never felt like they were disappointed in her. It stung. Not enough to change her mind, but she still felt a little sick to her stomach. So much so, she didn’t hear her mother approach until her shoulder brushed Rose’s. “Mama! You startled me.”
Her mother took her hand and tugged her to a stop. “Dima will come around. He just needs time.”
“I’m surprised you aren’t trying to change my mind.”
Mama shrugged. “I have eyes, Roza. You’ve been gone for that man since before you knew who he was.” She smiled faintly. “You’ve also outmaneuvered your father to claim Dante as your own. I might have my doubts in him, but I don’t doubt you. If you chose him, there’s more that I’m not seeing.” She glanced back at the office door. “I made a choice like that a long time ago, too, and my family didn’t understand at the time. They came around. Your father will, too.”
Relief made her a little dizzy. “Thank you.”
“I’m proud of you, Roza. This might not be the path I would have chosen for you, but you’re strong enough to carve your own way.” Mama pulled her into a quick hug. “Now, let’s get moving.”
Rose hurried upstairs. She powered on her phone and her eyes went wide as a string of texts and voicemails came through. Instead of reading them all, she called him.
Dante picked up on the first ring. “Rosa. Are you okay? When I couldn’t get a hold of you—”
“Yes. No. Yes. I don’t know.” Her heart was beating too fast, and she felt like she’d just run a marathon. “I took care of Romeo. He agreed to my terms.”
He exhaled harshly. “Did he give you any trouble?”
Yes, but not in the way he meant. “No. It was remarkably civil considering everything.”
“Bene.” A weighted pause. “Why do you sound so strange?”