Mafia Queen (The Manning Sisters #1) by Christina Escue Read Free Book Online

that you were. Now, after all this time, that infatuation has grown into something more. Something stronger than I have ever known. Elisabeth, I want to marry you, not because it’s what’s best for the organization, but because it’s what’s best for me.”
    “Then, yes, Dakota Jackson, I will marry you. Not because it’s what’s best for the organization, but because it’s what’s best for me.”
    Dakota smiled and pulled her into his arms. “I will take care of you, Lis, and I will always keep you safe.”
    “I know you will, and I will always take care of you and keep you safe as well. We are in this together, Dakota, and we will continue to work together.”
    Lis laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat for a moment as she thought through what had been said. There had been no declaration of love from him, but she didn’t need him to say it for her to know that he did love her in his own way. She just hoped it would be enough for a lifetime of happiness.
     

Chapter Nine
     
    “Mom, dad, everyone, we have something to tell you,” Dakota announced as they reached the bottom of the stairs a little while later.
    “You’re getting married,” Rachel said and Dakota looked at her in shock.
    “How in the world did you come to that conclusion?” He asked and Rachel smiled.
    “Because Lis usually gets what Lis wants and, let’s face it, Lis has always wanted you. Even when she was engaged to Mike, she wanted you,” Rachel explained and Dakota looked at Lis.
    “Is that true?” He asked and when she nodded he smiled. “Glad to know I wasn’t alone.”
    “You two are something else. You have been infatuated with each other for a decade and neither of you realized the other felt the same way. Hell, you’ve been together almost every moment for the past three years and never figured it out,” James said and Rachel laughed.
    “James, don’t make me shoot you,” Lis said and the whole room filled with laughter. “I was with Mike for those three years, remember?”
    “Doesn’t change the facts. You and Dakota have felt the way you do for each other long before Mike entered the picture and, honestly, I don’t think marrying Mike would have changed that. Now, I think we have a lot to discuss and a very short time to discuss it,” Rachel said and Lis silently agreed with her. James called it infatuation, but Lis knew that what she felt for Dakota was much deeper, much stronger than infatuation. She’d told Dakota, but she wasn’t ready to share that with everyone yet.
    “We do have a lot to do,” Lis said out loud and looked around the room. “I cannot lose anyone else I care about so everything needs to be planned out for maximum safety for all.”
    “Yes, dear,” Dakota said with a smirk and Lis smacked him on the arm.
    “I could shoot you after I shoot James if you’d like,” she told him and everyone laughed again. “Before I do that though, we have things we need to discuss.”
    Dakota grinned and slung his arm over her shoulders. “That we do.”
    For the next hour they ate pasta and planned out what was going to happen over the next few days. When Rachel and Lis went upstairs, Michelle pulled Dakota into the library and opened the small safe behind the portrait of him, David, and their sister Tatiana.
    “Dakota, I have been saving this for when you decided to get married. As my first born, I want you to have it. It’s nana’s ring and she always wanted to see it passed down in the family. Your father proposed to me with his grandmother’s ring, and you should give this one to Lis.”
    “Mom, thank you. I know Lis will love it and the tradition behind it,” Dakota said and pulled her into a hug. When he dropped a kiss on the top of her head he grinned. “You and Lis are the same height.”
    “What?”
    “When Lis is barefoot she’s the same exact height as you,” Dakota explained and Michelle grinned.
    “You just tower over everyone.”
    “David and I are