Page 90 of His

The moment I sat down, I knew I was in for a reckoning.

“Asshole. I can’t believe you didn’t even ask for my blessing before you asked for her hand in marriage,” Marco said, sipping his whiskey while giving me the most annoyed side eye I could ever have imagined.

“Would it get me any brownie points if I asked for it now?” I mused, and he chuckled lightly beside me.

“No.”

“Good to know. I’m still going to marry her anyway,” I grinned.

“I know.” Marco set his glass down with a loud thunk, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face me. “You’re bold, I’ll give you that,” he muttered, his voice carrying a mix of grudging respect and frustration. “But boldness doesn’t mean you’re the right man for her.”

I leaned back in my chair, taking a slow sip of my whiskey, savoring the burn as it went down. “I understand that,” I replied calmly. “But I think I’ve proven that I’d do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

Marco’s gaze was sharp, assessing. “You’ve proven you’re willing to play games with the law, pull strings, and call in favors. But have you proven you can keep her out of the crossfire? That you won’t drag her deeper into this life than she already is?”

I chuckled, setting my glass down on the table between us. “Marco, she’s already in,” I said evenly. “And I’m not going to lie to you or to her. There is no getting out now. But I will make damn sure she’s protected, no matter what.”

He studied me for a long moment, his fingers tapping against the side of his glass. “You love her,” he finally said, a statement, not a question.

I nodded without hesitation. “More than anything,” I replied, my voice steady. “She’s not just some passing interest to me, Marco. She is my future. She’s… my everything.”

Marco sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “That’s what I was afraid of,” he muttered, but I caught a glimpse of something softer in his expression, something that looked a lot like acceptance. “You’re not going to let her go, are you?”

I shook my head slowly, my gaze never leaving his. “Never,” I said firmly. “And I’m not asking for your permission. I’m asking for your understanding. For your blessing, if you’re willing to give it… but I’m prepared to marry her without it.”

Marco stared into his glass, swirling the amber liquid around, as if searching for answers in its depths. “She’s my daughter,Massimo,” he said quietly. “She’s my only family. I’ve done everything to keep her safe, to keep her out of this life…”

“And I respect that,” I interrupted gently. “But she’s not a child anymore, Marco. She’s strong, she’s capable, and she’s made her choice. And I’m going to honor that choice, every day.”

He looked up, meeting my gaze again, his expression conflicted. “If you ever hurt her—” he began, but I cut him off.

“I won’t,” I promised, my voice firm, unwavering. “You have my word. I’ll protect her with my life. I’ll give her everything she wants, everything she deserves. I’ll make her happy, Marco… or I’ll die trying.”

He studied me for a moment longer, and then, slowly, he nodded. “I know you will,” he said, his voice rough. “But she’s strong-willed, like her mother. And if she ever decides she’s done with you, you’ll have to accept that, too.”

I smirked, lifting my glass in a mock toast. “If that day comes, I’ll face it,” I replied. “But until then, I’m going to fight like hell to make sure it never does.”

Marco chuckled, a low, reluctant sound that broke the tension in the room. “You’re a stubborn bastard,” he muttered, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

“Takes one to know one,” I shot back, grinning. “So, do I have your blessing?”

He sighed, shaking his head slightly. “You’re asking for something that’s not mine to give,” he replied. “Sofia’s already made her choice. But… if you love her the way you say you do, and if you keep her safe, then… maybe you’ll prove me wrong.”

I nodded, lifting my glass again. “I can live with that,” I said. “To proving you wrong, then.”

He laughed, a genuine laugh this time, and clinked his glass against mine. “To proving me wrong,” he agreed.

We drank in silence for a moment, but for the first time, I felt a sense of peace.

“I guess this makes us family,” I quipped, setting my glass down with a grin.

Marco groaned, shaking his head. “God help me,” he muttered, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You’re going to be a nightmare as a son-in-law.”

I laughed, feeling a warmth settle in my chest. “Oh, you have no idea,” I teased.

He just shook his head and smiled.

EPILOGUE