“I’ve never hurt a man beyond what was necessary to find out what I needed to know. “I’ve tried to do my best within the confines of the life I was born into,” I say tightly.

“I wonder, if Giovanni knew the kind of man you would grow up to be, if he would have promised his daughter to you?” “There is always a choice.” He pauses, looking at me thoughtfully. “I know.” The words come out hard and biting. You haven’t left the confessional with absolution in many years.” But there are some sins that I cannot absolve, Luca. I was left alone with my church and my faith and my place here, and I have not forgotten it. “I’ve been loyal to the Rossi family for many decades, Luca, ever since I was spared in the Irish purge, and the Italians took the city again. “I’ve already agreed to perform the marriage, on the basis of my friendship with both your father and hers, if nothing else,” Father Donahue says quietly. One person fighting me on this is enough, Father, I don’t need you to stand in my way too.” Then the Bratva wouldn’t be able to get their hands on her, and I wouldn’t be wrestling with a reluctant bride. “I know you think that I should be able to find a way, but there isn’t one, Father. “I can’t keep her safe otherwise,” I say sharply, cutting him off.

“I can’t imagine that Sofia is pleased with any part of your ‘arrangements.’ And this wedding is taking place faster than I can condone. A priest is supposed to be able to be trusted with secrets, but Rossi has ways of getting secrets from men that could gain him the nuclear codes, if he wanted them.įather Donahue looks unconvinced. “Sofia and I have come to-an arrangement.” It’s all I can say without revealing that I’ve made concessions to my future wife that Rossi would lose his head over. I don’t intend to start with my new bride.” “I may not live a life of celibacy like you, Father, but I’ve never forced a woman. “Nowhere that you could send her, no way to keep her safe in that fortress you live in, other than to make her your bride? Force her into your bed?” “No other way?” Father Donahue tilts his head, looking at me with those sharp, keen eyes. “I’m not sure what it is that you think I should be doing.” “And I’m marrying her because there’s no other way of keeping her safe.” My voice is flat, completely without emotion. But he extracted that promise because he saw no other way of keeping her safe.” I know as well as you do what Giovanni wanted for his daughter. “I was the one that witnessed the vow between Giovanni Ferretti and your father all those years ago, Luca.

Shattered princess by amber vant