ILARIA (book 3)

57. ILARIA🌙

I rest my feet on Asahi's lap, looking up at the chandelier hanging. "I can put off marriage until after Matteo gets back. Do it the way I want."

"Ilaria, we need to think about this. If I marry you, I lose my job, I lose my position-"

"You said before that wasn't a problem."

"I change my mind. I like my job." He holds my ankles.

"Do you like me more than your job?" I look at him.

"Yes."

"Then there shouldn't be a problem."

"You're not pulling that card on me, baby. I know you are used to men dropping everything to give you what you want but that is one thing I will not let you take from me."

I unintentionally roll my eyes. "Well this conversation is over then."

"No." He squeezes my ankle. "No. No it isn't. There are ways we can work around this."

"You think your still going to apart of the government once it's on your files that you're married to one of their biggest enemies?" I raise an eyebrow. "Be realistic."

"I don't have to put it on paper."

"You, legally, do have to put it on paper."

"Is marriage that important to you?"

"Yes, Asahi. It is the most important for me."

"Why?" He looks at me, eyes widening.

"Because I need it to even be seen as something in this life, even if it is to a fed. I need marriage for my own fulfilment. I want to be committed to one person for the rest of my life and I want that person to be you." I say quietly.

"What will happen when people find out you married a fed?"

"Nothing that doesn't already happen. Unless you have any more crazy exes you wish to inform me about but everyone is too scared of my family to say a word."

The door opens and he reaches for the gun and aims it immediately. Spencer walks in with his hands raised. "Damn."

"Sorry." Asahi puts it down. "What's up?"

"Paolo and Grayson are dealing with some Yakuza members and told me to stay here." He looks between us.

"Spence, you're wise. How would he get away with marrying a criminal and how would I get away with marrying a fed?" I ask, turning onto my side, Asahi rests one hand passively on my hip.

I noticed earlier on that he was jealous of Spencer.

"Your police files don't mention you as being part of an organised crime gang. You have affiliations but there's no concrete evidence on any of your family. That's purely reputation." He sits on the armchair.

I look to Asahi and could practically see the clockwork in his head.

"And he just needs to become corrupt."

Both of our heads snap toward Spencer. "What?"

"Ilaria the only way you will ever get away with marrying a fed is if that fed is corrupt." He states it like it's obvious. "Yes, Reigns are powerful but there are still rules that need to be followed."

"What rule?" Asahi shifts uncomfortably.

"We're not allowed relations with members of the government unless they're also a Reign member. Our lawyers are corrupt, some sheriffs are corrupt. Business owners are corrupt. You'd be a great asset. The only thing we don't have that's corrupt is a fed."