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Nick
I’ve never considered myself a lucky man. Not with a past like mine. Bodies lined my way to the top, and I’ll drop as many men as necessary to stay here. But when I see my bride-to-be in her gown, her eyes shining, her dark hair draped down her shoulders, and her body making her white dress sing, my mouth goes dry.
Do I care that she interrupted a meeting? Fuck no. Do I want her on her back with my face between her legs? Definitely.
But I must be patient. So I have her come sit on my lap.
“Continue.” I lean back so she can settle on my legs.
She perches like a bird at first, but then I pull her closer. Once I’ve wrapped my arms around her, she settles back against me.
Gio clears his throat and looks everywhere but at my bride. Good.
“We found the missing shipment at the Tuscani warehouse over on Water Street.”
“All of it?” I ask.
“Everything except whatever Antonio snorted before his wedding.” Dante smirks.
She stiffens at the mention of his name. I run my hand down her arm and take her hand, but I feel something hard. Something that doesn’t belong there. Pulling her small fingers to my face, I see a band of gold on her ring finger.
Something inside me snarls, and I grit my teeth. Despite my burst of rage, I gently pull the ring from her finger, then hold it up to the light.
“Did you like this ring, cara mia?” I look into her caramel brown eyes.
“No.” She drops her gaze, her hair shifting.
I notice a scar on her forehead. It’s small, white, and right at the hairline. “What happened here?”
She drops her chin even farther. “That was a while ago. My fathe--um, Lorenzo. He didn’t like it when I asked about my mother, so he …” She trails off, but she doesn’t have to say more. I know what that bastard did, and he’ll pay for it. Dearly.
“Don’t hide from me.” I gently tip her chin back up. “You are a queen. Never forget that.”
“Okay.” She presses her lips together, then takes a deep breath. “I should’ve taken this ring off. I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about.” Is she afraid of me? It’s funny, I want everyone to fear me. I didn’t have to read The Prince--though I did--to know it’s far better to be feared than loved. But that desire changed the moment I saw her sitting at that cold Tuscani table, ready for her fate, but not expecting it to appear in my form. “You never need fear me. Do you understand?”
“I …” Her brows draw together.
“I swear, here before all my men, that I will never raise my hand to you. You don’t need to be afraid of me, cara mia. I would sooner cut my heart out than do one drop of damage to yours.”
Her mouth opens in a surprised ‘o’, which gives me plenty of filthy ideas. Soon, cara mia.
I spread my hand across her back, loving every inch of her warm skin. “You were sold by your father. This ring was a band meant to cage you, to keep you in line, to show ownership. Would you agree?”
“Yes,” she answers quickly.
“As such, we must destroy it.”
“Yes,” she says with more force. “Please.”
“It is done.” I toss the ring to Tony. “Take this directly to Caravagio’s metal shop. Have him melt it down. Then take it and throw it into the river where it will stay forever, covered in muck and forgotten, just like the unworthy man who thought he could use it to imprison my queen.”
“Yes, boss.” He hurries out.
I settle back and continue running my fingers along her warm skin. “Now, what other news?”
Gio pulls his phone out and grins. “Guess who just showed up to the front gate.”
