I was Dante De Luca’s wife now.Legally.Physically.In every way that mattered.
And I had no idea how to survive what came next.
Chapter Eight
Caterina
I’d woken to find the bed empty and a change of clothes laid out for me.After a hot shower, I’d dressed then ventured out into the penthouse to find Dante, only for him to immediately direct me back to the bedroom.
I stared him down, wondering how the hell I was supposed to deal with my new husband.He wasn’t anything like I’d anticipated.My cheeks warmed when I recalled our rather passionate night.But sex aside, the man was cold and distant.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway -- security staff arriving with my luggage.Three men in dark suits wheeled my suitcases into the room, their expressions carefully neutral.They’d witnessed this kind of scene before, probably.Rich men controlling their wives.Nothing unusual.
“Unpack everything,” Dante instructed them.“Clothing goes in the closet pending my approval.Personal items can be arranged as Mrs.De Luca prefers.”
Mrs.De Luca.He said it with the same proprietary tone Papa used when discussing business assets.
The staff began efficiently emptying my suitcases while Dante continued the tour like we were discussing a hotel reservation rather than my imprisonment.
“You have access to the main living areas, your bedroom, and the kitchen.My office is off-limits.The master bedroom is off-limits unless I invite you in.”He gestured down the hallway.“There’s a gym on this floor and a pool on the roof terrace.Both require my permission to use.”
“Let me guess.”I crossed my arms.“The front door also requires your permission.”
“The front door requires a code you don’t have.”He moved to the window, looking out at the city sprawled below.“You’re not a prisoner, Caterina.You’re my wife.There’s a difference.”
“Is there?”
He turned back to face me, and something in his expression shifted.Not anger.Something colder.“Yes.A prisoner would be locked in her room.A wife has the freedom to move through her husband’s home, wear the clothes he provides, follow the schedule he sets, and be grateful for the protection his name offers.”
One of the security staff was unpacking my jewelry box, laying pieces out on the dresser with careful precision.I watched him handle the diamond bracelet Papa had given me for my eighteenth birthday and felt rage bubble up hot enough to make my vision blur.
“Don’t touch that.”I moved toward the dresser, reaching for the bracelet.
The security guard glanced at Dante, who gave a slight nod.The man stepped aside, and I grabbed the bracelet along with the jewelry box, holding them against my chest like they could anchor me to something real.
“I’ll unpack my own things.”I met Dante’s gaze.“That’s non-negotiable.”
The security staff froze, looking to Dante for instruction.The air in the room seemed to thicken, tension building in the silence that followed my declaration.
Then Dante moved.
He crossed the space between us in three strides and his hand closed around my wrist -- not hard enough to hurt, but firm enough that I couldn’t pull away.The jewelry box clattered to the floor, my expensive pieces scattering.
“You don’t negotiate with me.”His voice stayed quiet, but I felt the threat underneath like a blade against skin.“Not here.Not in my home.Behind these doors, you’re mine to control.That was our agreement.”
His grip tightened just slightly, his thumb pressing against my pulse point where my heartbeat hammered frantically.His other hand came up to cup my jaw, tilting my face so I had no choice but to meet his gaze once more.
“Do you understand, Caterina?”
I should have said yes.Should have backed down, played the obedient wife, saved the rebellion for a more strategic moment.
Instead, I held his gaze and said nothing.
His eyes darkened.The hand on my jaw slid to the back of my neck, fingers tangling in my hair with just enough pressure to make my breath catch.Not pain.Not quite.But the promise of it.
“I asked you a question.”His mouth was close enough now that I could feel his breath against my lips.“Do you understand?”
My body betrayed me completely.Heat pooled low in my belly despite the fear, despite the anger, despite every logical reason to be repulsed by this man and his control.My pulse jumped under his thumb, and I knew he felt it.Knew he could read every traitorous response my body gave him.
