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She might be moaning my name, and her unconscious body might still crave my touch but if she were awake right now, finding me this close to her, touching her, seeing her… she’d dismember me. And God knows I’d fucking get off on it.

Steadily, I leaned forward and trailed the back of my four fingers down her cheek.

“You’ll need to beg a lot better than that, tesoro.”

She groaned softly, and I placed my hand on the pillow beside her head, leaning over to hover my nose above hers.

Her soft breaths fanned my lips and my eyes fell shut as I inhaled, needing to feel every breath.

My lips brushed hers, and I slowly tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. La mia bellissima moglie.

CHAPTER 7

Nirah

I blinked several times as I straightened my spine.

Today I couldn’t afford to let my guard down even for a second. Not because I was afraid, but because I needed to be ready for anything.

Lifting my chin, I ran my eyes over my appearance, dreading my next move.

“Yes, I’m ready.” I forced a smile, and Rosalia nodded. Her warm hands rested on my bare shoulders, and the heaviness that had been weighing on my heart, forced tears to pool in my eyes.

“You look beautiful, Miss Nirah.” Her eyes lit with admiration, and I sadly chuckled.

My wavy brown hair had been tied into a loose updo, with curled strands framing my face on either side.

My white, off the shoulder wedding dress hugged my figure, cinching at the waist as lace hugged each of my arms.

My bedroom door swung open. “There she is.”

With tears threatening to spill I sadly smiled at Silvia and she entered, but her eyes hardened as she stared back at me.

“Give us a minute, please,” I said to Rosalia and she nodded. She closed the door behind herself and Silvia and I found ourselves on the edge of my bed.

She reached over, placing her hand over mine.

“It’ll be fine.” I lifted my gaze from our hands to her saddened eyes.

“Nirah…”

“No.” I shook my head. “We’ll find a way out of this, okay?” I angled my body toward her. “Being married to him won’t change anything. I swear to you, Silvia.”

Reluctantly, she nodded, and I pulled her into my arms, kissing the top of her head.

“No one’s hurt you, have they?”

She shook her head. “No. Now let’s get you married.” She sadly chuckled, standing up, and so did I.

“Silvia—”

“I’m fine, I promise.” She reassured me.

Taking a deep breath in, we finally left the room and met with the men who were driving us to the reception. I hadn’t seen Antonio all day, and yesterday. According to his new right hand Kiryl, he was out on business, but I didn’t believe it for a goddamn second.

The drive was silent, and all I could hear was the unhealthy thud of my racing heart that my brain had convinced me would slam out of my chest.

Silvia’s hand squeezed mine the entire drive and I feared she’d eventually cut off the oxygen supply. But I didn’t care. I needed her.