Page 157 of Claimed At First Sight

I shake my head. “That sounds too calculated.”

“I’m the Don. My responsibility is to ensure my family and legacy live on.”

I study him for a moment.

“What if you have only girls like my father did?” I challenge. “Will they become your heirs and usher in a new, desperately needed era for the mafia?”

A hint of amusement touches his face. “No. We will have at least one son who will succeed me.”

The certainty in his voice is almost laughable.

“And if you don’t?” I insist.

“We’ll continue growing our family until we do.”

We.

He says it so matter-of-factly that for a fleeting moment it’s almost possible to forget we’re discussing a completely fictional future. One in which I’ve apparently agreed to marry him and produce a small soccer team of Marco children.

In Maximo’s mind, my refusal doesn’t seem to feature in the equation at all. It only strengthens my resolve to prove him wrong.

“My father believed that too,” I say. “Until my mother miscarried another girl after Ari was born.”

“I am not your father.”

“No,” I agree. “But you’re every bit as stubborn about believing something you have no influence over.”

He leans forward again, resting his forearms on his thighs, and is quiet for a moment before answering.

“If, despite our best efforts, we don’t have a son, the responsibility will pass to the next suitable male in my family.”

I frown. “One of your brothers’ sons?”

“If they’re worthy.”

I stare at him, wondering whether he’s actually serious. Judging by the complete absence of humor on his face, he is.

“So you would cast your own flesh and blood aside?” I ask. “There are already women leading families these days, you know.”

“There are,” he agrees. “But almost without exception, they’ve assumed that duty because there wasn’t a suitable man to do so.”

I let out a quiet huff. “That’s such a chauvinistic thing to say. There are ambitious women who want power. But you make it sound as though they’re somehow second-best.”

“I said no such thing.”

“You implied it.”

“No.” His gaze remains steady on mine. “I said a woman shouldn’t have to carry that obligation in the first place.”

“And who decided that?”

“Nature.”

I cock my head to the side, my eyes wide.

Is he serious?

“Oh, now you’re blaming biology.”