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Inhale. Exhale.
I repeat the words in my head like a mantra and it seems to work because my breathing evens out. I haven’t had an anxiety attack since I lived with my parents, and though I have managed to talk myself down from a full-blown panic attack, I’m still pissed that I have allowed myself to get to this point. I have worked hard to control this part of myself, so why all of a sudden have I allowed Nico to make me feel this way? Why am I giving him so much power over my emotions? I’m stronger and better than all these games he insists on playing. I’ve survived and overcome many things in my life, yet I fall at Nico’s first hurdle. Frustration claws at my skin, making me want to itch it away. Without even thinking about it, I let out an animalistic scream. It’s cathartic, much needed, and somehow, I feel much better than I did minutes ago.
Straightening, I wrap my arms around myself, and stare out at the waves. It’s tranquil out here, exactly what I need after feeling smothered in that big house. I don’t know what just happened in there, and though I hated every second of being in that room, being the butt of Nico’s joke, I blow out a breath, setting free all the anger Nico stirred up in me. Calm washes over me, thoughts of my next move flickering in my mind. I could fight the asshole. But I know, without a doubt, that will not get me anywhere. The only other option I have right now is to accept what is and resign myself to the fate Nico has bestowed upon me.
The other woman.
Though Nico never introduced me to her, it was obvious that she was his wife – or whatever the hell she is – from the way she was touching him. The way he held her hand. Their intimacy looked easy, like they had been doing that same thing their whole lives. Nonetheless, it was a shock to see the woman in person, the queen of Nico’s castle and the one he deemed worthy of a permanent place in his life. I knew she existed, it’s why I left in the first place. I just didn’t think Nico would be so cruel as to flaunt her in my face. I get that he is angry about me running and missing Romeo’s first couple of months, but to do that without warning was vindictive, callous, and down-right humiliating. No matter what happened between us in the past, he needs to respect that I am his son’s mother. Not throw his wife in my face, every chance he gets.
My chest cracks, pain radiating through me as images of them together flash in my mind. His wife. With her long dark hair, blood red lips, big, almond shaped, chocolate eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes, she is beautiful and exactly the kind of woman I always pictured him with. Not only was she gorgeous, but she also exudes power, wealth and confidence, in a way that most could only dream of. Seated next to Nico, she looked like a queen beside her king, while I am just his… I swallow when the words Nico’s father said to me that day slam into me.
Whore.
Nico’sfuckingputtana.
It is all you will ever be.
Tears prick my eyes, the reality of the situation and being confronted by it slamming into me. I fell for that asshole, told him that I loved him and all the while he had the perfect Italian woman waiting to take his name. I fucking hate him. Hate him for what he did and what he continues to do.
“You, okay?” a gentle voice asks, making me yelp in fear. My head snaps around to find a man standing to my right. He watches me with wide, apologetic eyes, hands held up placatingly, as if I am a corned animal getting ready to bolt.
I don’t take my attention from him as I wipe the tears from my eyes. My gaze rakes over him, searching for any sign of threat, but I find nothing. All I see is genuine concern and a kind face. From the clothes he is wearing, I am also one hundred percent sure that he isn’t one of Nico’s men, which puts me at ease further. I don’t need that bastard’s goons witnessing me like this.
“I’m fine thank you. I was just getting some air.” I murmur, throwing him a smile.
He frowns, shoving his hands in his cargo pants pockets. I let my eyes roam his face. My guess is he is in his early twenties, and he is cute, in the boy next door kind of way. With blonde hair, green eyes and perfect white teeth, he looks like a real-life Ken doll.
“You sure? I heard you screaming, and you look like you’ve been crying,” he prods.
My cheeks heat in embarrassment. I hate that he was privy to my meltdown. I nod. “I’m sure. I was just letting out some pent-up frustration,” I chuckle softly.
“Next time I’m frustrated I might try it myself,” he teases, a big grin curving his lips. Cocking his head, his eyes bounce over every inch of my face. He frowns. “I haven’t seen you around here before. Did you just move here?”
I laugh, but it’s humorless. “You could say that.”
He smirks. “Maybe I could show you around some–”
Before he can finish, he is cut off by a dark, threatening voice. We both jump in surprise, our heads snapping toward the sinister tone. “Finish that sentence, and you won’t be able to show yourself around, let alonemygirl.” My eyes widen, but Nico isn’t watching me, no. His predatory gaze is locked on his prey. “Now I suggest you run along, little boy, and forget this conversation happened. Or even better, forget that you ever met her, before I do something thatyoucan’t come back from.” He runs his thumb across his bottom lip, his blue orbs sparking as if he is enjoying every second of this. Twisted bastard probably is. “If there is any confusion,Rhys, I will spell it out for you. I will fucking kill you and dump your body in the damn ocean if I catch you sniffing around my woman again.”
“Nico–” I hiss, but he holds a hand up, cutting me off.
I glance at the man I now know is called Rhys. His eyes are wide, and he looks an unnatural shade of white. He swallows, his whole body trembling. “I’m sorry Mr. Marchetti, I didn’t know she was with you.”
“Well, now you do. Now fuck off before your parents find your body washed up somewhere along this beach.”
Nico jerks his head and without another word or look in my direction, Rhys turns, taking off down the beach like his ass is on fire. Nico watches after him, his stance threating like he thinks Rhys might turn around and rejoin this shit-show.
“How dare you?” I seethe and he finally looks at me, as if he now deems me worthy of his attention. “You don’t get to do this to me. You have a wife. A fucking wife, Nico, and yet you threaten to kill any man that comes near me. You have some nerve.” I hiss, shaking my head.
“You are mine,” he grits out through clenched teeth.
A disbelieving laugh leaves my mouth before I can stop it, my lip curling in disgust. “Go back to yourwife,Nico. I won’t be your whore.”
Shouldering past him, I start back to the house only to stop when he grips my wrist and pulls me into him. “You will be whatever I want you to be,Tesoro.” His hot breath hitting my ear makes me shiver. “And don’t you forget that. You. Are. Mine.” he enunciates. “In every sense of the word. The more you fight it, the more I will enjoy breaking you until you accept what is, before reconstructing you back up to the woman you are meant to be. Mine.” he growls, his grip tightening almost painfully.
My lips part, body vibrating with disgust and anger. Pulling out of Nico’s hold, I shove him away from me. Shooting him one last glower, I turn, taking off back toward the house as fast as my feet will take me. Heavy footfalls sound behind me and my heart rate kicks up to an unnatural rhythm. I don’t look back, not wanting to see the devil chasing me. When I make it to the dunes, I grin to myself, thinking I have outrun him and I’m home free. I should have known better. Known that Nico will always catch me.
Strong arms wrap around me, and I cry out as I’m tackled to the sand. All the air leaves my lungs and I grunt when my body hits the ground with a loud thud. Nico’s big body surrounds me, the weight of him on my back pushing me further into the sand. He is only on top of me mere seconds before he is flipping me over onto my back.
