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She nods. “We have an apartment on the lower level. Most of the time we’re alone, but occasionally one of the family heads our way, allowing us to earn our extremely generous wages.”
She loads up a tray and brings it over to the bed and it’s as if I’m a queen enjoying the perfect breakfast. I see the croissants and pastries nestling in a napkin in a silver bowl and could get used to this. Little silver pots of preserves accompany it, and she asks, “Tea or coffee.”
“Oh, tea please. English breakfast if you have it.”
“Of course, ma’am. We have everything.”
As I glance around me, I really think she does and as I enjoy the light meal, I’m so happy to be here and any nerves I may have had were left behind in the night.
CHAPTER26
IVAN
Icouldn’t sleep. Being away from Charlotte for longer than a few minutes makes me anxious. What if something happens to her and I’m not there? So, rather than sleep in Malik’s bed, I slept outside her room because fuck if anything is going to happen to her when I’m around. It was pure torture as images of her sleeping in a silk paradise, wearing that sexy nightdress she selected, made me wild and wish tomorrow was here already. I’m impatient to make her mine in every way, and once my ring is on her finger, she will never get away from me.
As I twist my own ring, I already know this is the one I’m marrying her with. It belonged to my grandfather. He was the only man I’ve ever looked up to because he was wise and never foolish and stayed loyal to my grandmother his entire life. Unlike my own father, who always has a steady stream of women and never marries any of them.
My mother left, apparently, but I don’t believe that for a second because it appears he has made it his mission in life to screw as many women as he can. Sometimes even more than one.
I vow to be like my grandfather and will stay loyal to my princess, and as soon as this shit is over, we will go shopping for a ring fit for a queen. Nothing will ever be good enough for her and I will give her the world and God help anyone who tries to step in the way of that. I’m a fighter for a reason and I crave the violence. I love this life because it gives me the adrenalin fix I need to survive. I fight because I love to fight, and I doubt that will ever change. It’s ironic that such a gentle beauty has captured my heart with her small smile and touch of innocence because, unlike any woman I’ve met before, Charlotte blows through my world like a breath of the purest air.
I barely slept all night. The thoughts that ran through my mind were like the most toxic river. Am I being selfish? Interfering in a plan just because I’ve met one woman who interests me more than most. Is this fair to her, swapping one mad prison for another?
Marriage for power was the plan. My own was intended on being with a mafia princess of a rival family. To cement our union and earn the loyalty of her father so he could offer much needed backup when we wage war on Massimo.
We never thought for a second he had a daughter and especially not to marry into the family of the one man we all seek to destroy. I wonder how Charlotte will feel when we murder her father in cold blood before she even gets to call him daddy?
So many tortured thoughts act like knives to my soul as I lie thinking about what a fool I am. This marriage is only good for one person — me. I want that emotion she drags from inside me when she opens her pretty little mouth and speaks in her posh accent. I crave her youthful innocence, even though she is the same age as me. Unlike me who grew up way too fast, she was locked away in a school for young ladies not knowing anything of the harsh realities of the world and yet I’m the bastard who wants to toss her headfirst into hell and jump in behind her because hell has been my home all my life. It just makes it easier to burn when you have someone to keep you company.
The morning breaks and I can’t back down now. My mind was set and nothing I tried shifted it. Charlotte somehow became mine between annoying the hell out of me and becoming my everything. The brave way she endured the horrors that unfolded and never really complained impressed me. She took it all in her stride and maintained her good humor and I love that about her. She is the light to my darkest shade and edges everything in rainbows and pixie dust. She makes everything worthwhile and I haven’t even explored the part of her yet that interests me like a physical ache. Her body. I want to crawl inside and hide from the world because Charlotte makes me look at things differently.
So now my biggest test will be keeping her safe and by my side and for a fighter who exists to fight, I’m more than up for the challenge. Unlike Winter, Massimo is not getting his hands on any part of my woman and there will be devastation if he tries.
Tariq joins me in Malik’s room and arranges some food. Not that I’m hungry, but he is right to make me try at least.
“Any word on the priest?” I say as I sip my third espresso and he nods. “Ten minutes away.”
I nod. “Anything to report?”
He says in his emotionless voice, “There is no intelligence telling me that Massimo knows where you are. We have people monitoring his movements and our spies at the airport are on duty to report back if he arrives. It’s the same at the port and the rail station. We have it covered.”
“You think you do, but knowing Massimo, he will find a way.”
Tariq nods because he can’t disagree with that. We both understand who we are dealing with, and I wouldn’t put it past Massimo to disguise himself as the priest and slay me before my own bride.
“The priest.” I say gruffly, “Does he check out?”
“Perfectly. He has lived here for thirty years and performed many services at the church. He is known and there is no scandal attached to his name or secrets he is hiding. We will carry out a search when he arrives and only when he’s passed that will he be allowed inside the main house.”
“And the witnesses?”
“Myself and Mrs. Keller.”
I nod. “Good. The sooner we get this done, the happier I’ll be.”
Tariq nods and leaves me to change and as I pull on the ever-present black suit and white shirt, I fasten the tie and step back, hating the reflection that hurts my eyes. I’ve always found it hard to look at myself. I’m guessing it’s why I’ve inked so many pictures and words on my skin. I hide behind them because I don’t like what I see. A cold-blooded killer who never shows mercy. This is the first time I’ve felt any emotion at all and that was the deciding factor in my decision. I have a new role now which is to protect my princess because if anyone hurts or upsets her in any way, they will suffer the effects of that because I’m an unforgiving bastard and will take the greatest pleasure in making sure they never do it again.
Ten minutes later and Tariq returns. “It’s time.”
