“There’s nothing wrong with you,” a calm Italian voice said from the other side. “You’re just mine.”
The breath rushed out of me as my knees shifted, the creak of wood echoing through the sudden silence.
“No,” I breathed in denial. I’d know that voice anywhere. A pleasurable shiver slid down my spine at the sound of it.
The latch clicked. The panel opened. And there he was. Santino filled the narrow space with his broad frame, immaculate in a white shirt. His intimidatingpresence consumed the space that seconds ago had been my false sense of safety. I was about to scream, but then our eyes met, and I lost the ability to function.
Light from above him stretched across his handsomely rugged features, making his inky black hair glisten. His jaw was tight, his dark gaze burning, and I could already feel the fury radiating off him. But then his eyes travelled over my face beneath my veil, and they softened just a touch, which was more dangerous. In that split second, I saw myself in his eyes. He thought I was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.
“You threatened Callum’s life.” My voice shook as I finally regained control of my vocal cords.
“Yes.”
I almost laughed, because who the hell is that honest about murder? Who just comes out and admits to something so barbaric?
“Will you really kill Callum if I go through with this wedding?”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “I mean every word I say to you. If you marry Callum D'Ardenzi, he will have a bullet in his head before the day is over.”
My lips trembled because there it was. The truth of who he was. I was looking into the eyes of a man who had no qualms about taking a human life.
“You can’t do this.” I shook my head, still unable to tear my gaze from him. “You don’t own me, Santino. I have a choice.”
“I’m giving you a choice. Marry him, and people will die. Marry me, and everyone will live. Those are just consequences.”
My mouth dropped open as I stared at him, searching for any sign this was a joke. Of course, his expression remained stony and calm. The picture of a man who ruled with fear and would do whatever it took to get what he wanted.
“Marry you? You can’t be serious. You’re insane.”
“We established that a while ago.”
“I won’t marry you!” I glared at him, anger rising. “But if I don’t marry Callum, you’ll leave him alone, right?”
He cocked his head to the side as if considering it for one minuscule second, then said sharply, “No.”
“If you even touch Callum, you’ll be the prime suspect. You won’t get away with it.”
He smirked, and I swallowed hard. He leaned in, resting his arm on the divider between us. “You underestimate my skills, Little Rebel. Maybe I’ll make it look like a suicide, a heartbroken man whose fiancée left him at the altar. Or… maybe I’ll expose the unhealthy relationship he has with your father and paint a pretty little picture.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Yourpapiis Callum’s puppet, Aria. How do you think his campaign formayor was funded? Perhaps…” He twisted his lips. “Yourpapigot sick of being his little bitch boy and decided to get rid of him now that he’s achieved his goal. It wouldn’t take much to plant the murder weapon in yourpapi’s house. It would almost be too easy.”
Bile rose in my throat. “You’re a monster.”
“Yes,” he agreed softly. “But I’m still the only man who would do whatever it takes to keep you safe. Don’t make me do it the hard way.”
He stood up, left the cubicle, and opened mine. I turned, my gaze running down his tight white shirt, smart trousers, and polished shoes, while he took in my dress. He threw his head back, slammed his hand on his chest, bent his knees dramatically, and let out a very seductive moan that shot straight between my legs.
“Cazzo,”he groaned. “You look like something men would go to war for. Oh, wait…” He gave me a disgustingly filthy smile and held out his hand. “Let’s go.”
My head swam. My legs felt restless, as if I were about to sprint for my life or leap from where I stood and wrap them around his waist.No. NO. Not the latter.
A knock came from behind the door, and my eyes widened. Santino stepped straight into me, wrapping one hand around my mouth and the other around my lower back, pressing me against him.
“Aria?” It was mypapi.
“What’s it going to be,Bella Ribelle?” Santino whispered, his eyes glittering with a dark thrill that promised pain or pleasure. “Ready to admit you’re mine?”
