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LUCA
Becka drifted into a fog. She became unresponsive to everything around her. Even when I took her arm and escorted her out to Matteo’s SUV and climbed in beside her, she didn’t look at me. Didn’t put up a struggle, or pull away. When Matteo and Arianna got in there was only silence.
I watched her as she gazed out the window of the car while the city flashed by. Becka was locked down. Her mind had gone into defensive mode and detached itself from the present. Had steeled herself against the fear and panic that tried to dominate her in Lorenzo’s office.
I admired her. It takes a strong person to go through what she did and not completely fall apart. She would need all the courage and strength she could muster if she was going to survive the new life she was just thrust into.
As for me, I felt like a tattered flag that had endured fifty harsh winters of abuse. Every bit of my emotional capacity was strung out. Ragged and frayed beyond knowing how to repair it.
What happened in that office would haunt me. Seeing Becka like that had eaten me alive, like angry wolves tearing at me from the inside out. Alone, scared, being manhandled and told her life was over no matter which way she looked at it. I’m amazed she didn’t curl into a ball on the floor and weep. Every other woman I’d met in my life would have.
Never backs down from a fight. She had given it her all, knowing that it was useless. She stayed strong, refusing to cower. A fighter to the core. By not crumbling, she challenged Lorenzo in a way I have never seen before. Grown men have pissed their pants in that office— without staring down the barrel of a gun. Her courage was hard as iron.
I wanted her more than I could stand. Borderline clinically insane. She had a backbone that rivaled the very man she faced off with.
Then when the count started and she didn’t say yes, I came undone. It pissed me off that I had so much trouble controlling my emotions, but when she sat there staring at Lorenzo while he counted, I wanted to scream.
There was nothing I could do. If I jumped in the middle of it he would have shot her and possibly shot me. Lorenzo and I may be as close to father and son as possible, but he would never tolerate such insubordination. I wanted to throw up.
So I begged. Like I never have before. Pleading with my eyes. I wanted her to say yes. No, I needed her to say yes. The idea that she wouldn’t seemed absurd. Who wouldn’t take the deal? If not simply for their own self-preservation. She wouldn’t. Steadfast in who she was, submitting to no one. In the last second I had turned away, unable to watch her brains splatter across the room. It almost brought me to my knees.
Then she said yes, and I could breathe again. The adrenaline coursing through my body had left me shaky and sweating under my suit.
Now, she was lost. Searching out the window with those eyes that had captured me. Looking for something that was gone forever.
A normal life.
Becka’s head pressed against the window while her hands stayed limp on her lap. By all accounts she looked utterly dejected. Her sad unseeing eyes chipped at the stone around my heart. I didn’t like seeing her like this.
Don’t let her weaken you.
We left the city, heading into trees and rolling hills. It was still dark outside but dawn was on its way. The gates to Matteo’s estate came into view, opening for us as we approached. I looked over at Becka who’s wide eyes were taking in the immaculate, white-grey stone mansion, with lights glowing from inside the tall windows. It was a beautiful home people normally gushed over. She probably thought it resembled a prison.
The SUV pulled up to the front entry, the wide stone steps leading to a pair of oversized front doors. Men approached the vehicle as we exited, I gently took Becka by the arm to lead the way. She pulled away defiantly, glaring. The fire behind her eyes was back, not roaring, but there nonetheless. I liked her spirit, but…
She was going to have to learn manners and her place in this world. It was the only way this was going to work. I liked her fire but her refusing my lead had me flaring, but I let it go. She had every reason to be pissed and hate me. But at some point she was going to have to learn respect.
“I can walk myself.” Her eyes were slits of anger. “Where are we?”
“This is my home,” Matteo answered as we all made our way up the steps. “You will be staying here with Arianna and I until marriage papers are obtained and signed.”
Once we stepped inside she took a moment to take in the monstrous space. Her eyebrows pinched. “No renovations happening? Shocker.” Green eyes bore down on the silent, shrunken form of Arianna, who refused to answer. Her golden eyes surrounded by a sea of red from crying.
I chuckled inwardly, trying to keep the smile off my face. God, her feistiness turned me on. My abs clenched and my dick twitched at the thought of how that feistiness would come out in the bedroom.
Matteo beckoned a guard over. “Take Becka to the guess bedroom at the end of the hall. Remain outside.”
He reached for her and Becka threw her hand up to ward off his touch. Her facial expression said, “Fuck off. I will not be led.”
“Well it’s been fun.” She plastered a fake smile on her face. “But I think I’m going to call it a night. Sweet dreams.” Her sugary tone was outweighed by her vicious smile.
I lowered my head to hide my smirk. I couldn’t believe she was throwing out sarcasm in a moment like this. Tough as nails. She refused to show weakness. My chest constricted. If she could accept her new fate, she was going to make an amazing mafia wife. But that meant she was going to have to submit, stop challenging me and behave. It was not going to be an easy road.
Making her behave was one thing, but would she ever let me touch her?Was there any desire left? On the dance floor she had opened up for me like a flower in the sun. I had never been so turned on just touching a girl in all my life. I wasn’t going to touch her without permission and the idea that she might never let that happen hit me like a bucket of ice-water.
Just to see her reaction I raised my head and flashed her my best smile, putting every bit of charm I contained behind it. And there it was. Her eyes grew wide, focusing on my mouth. I watched her slender throat bob as a flush crept up her chest. I still had an effect on her. She still wants me.
Then she turned on her heel and headed for the stairs.
