AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She ponders my question. “So, let’s get it straight. A gorgeous rich man, with lots of power, forced you to go on numerous dates with him, paid for your hair, clothes, and makeup, also paid for dinner and Champagne . . . flew you to Italy to meet his family and friends, no expense spared, tricked you into marrying him.”
“You’re making it sound like a fairy-tale,” I argue.
“But it’s not a fairy-tale,” she agrees, “and he isn’t a prince here to rescue you. But,” she grabs my hand, “he does appear to really like you. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t agree with anything he’s done, but I kind of like having you around, and I think you’re good for him.”
I groan. “Don’t side with him,” I beg. “He’s lied and tricked me. When I get old and my grandchildren ask me what my wedding day was like, I won’t be able to share stories of drinking Champagne and having my makeup done with my bridesmaids. I’ll never be able to tell this story because it’s embarrassing. He made sure it was, so I couldn’t tell anyone what he’d done.”
“Tell him that,” she says. “Tell him how you feel, and he’ll fix it. He just wants you to be happy.”
I shake my head. “I can’t, Ella. I hate him for what he’s done, and I can’t forgive him. I’ll find a way out of this marriage if it’s the last thing I do.”
I wake the following morning with a start. Anton is sitting on the bed staring down at me. I sit up quickly, moving away from him. “I locked the door,” I snap, staring at the now open bedroom door.
He holds up a key. “I won’t see you for a few days. I needed to say goodbye.”
“Goodbye,” I snap.
“Piper,” he mutters, “we can’t go on like this.”
“I told you already, we’re not staying married.”
He sighs impatiently. “And I told you, we are. The sooner you accept it, the better.”
I throw the sheets back and get out of bed. “How long will you be gone?”
“A few days. I’ll drop you off once you’re dressed.” He stands to leave. “And, Piper, don’t make any mistakes while you’re back there.”
ANTON
Michael stops the car outside the gates of the clubhouse. Scar is opening them as Piper jumps out, then she sticks her head back into the vehicle. “I don’t need you to walk me inside,” she says before slamming the car door.
“Pop open the boot,” I tell Michael, stepping out the car and rounding the back. I grab her bag, and she snatchers it from me. Before she can march away, I grab her arm and tug her back to me. “Can I trust you?” I ask. She scoffs, and it pisses me off further. “I don’t want to kill him, Piper, but I will,” I warn.
“And I’ll hate you even more,” she mutters.
I place a finger under her chin and tip her head back to look at me. “You’re angry, I get it. Don’t make hasty decisions that you’ll regret.” I place my lips against hers. She doesn’t respond, and I smile against her mouth. “Mia amata, you’re testing my patience, and I love it.”
A couple days have passed since I dropped Piper at the clubhouse. I’ve been busy the entire time, yet all that’s occupied my mind is her and what she’s doing. I must’ve picked up my mobile a thousand times to call her before talking myself out of it. She needs time to cool off. Time to miss me. Absence makes the heart grow fonder . . . or so they say.
One thing I know for sure is that Hulk is on a club run, so he isn’t with my wife. It’s the reason I’m sitting in a car opposite a container shipment yard. Hulk arrived here almost forty minutes ago to meet a fake buyer that I’ve set up.
Michael checks his watch again and sighs. “You think he’s on to us?”
I shake my head. “He isn’t that clever,” I mutter.
Our guy finally appears, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not used to doing this kind of shit. Stakeouts are for cops and men on my payroll, but I need to have all the facts before I take it further, so Ace can’t tell me I’m wrong.
Axe gets into the back of the car, and Michael drives away. I turn to the back seat. “Well?”
“He wants to cut a deal. Says he can get me a good amount every week. He gave me a sample.” Axe holds out a small dealer bag of cocaine, and I take it. I lick my finger and dip it in the powder before rubbing it on my gums. I nod at Michael, who is watching me out the corner of his eye. “It’s our shit,” I confirm. The quality is the best out here, that’s how I know.
“He said I can’t tell anyone or the deal is off,” continues Axe. “He was really shady.”
Michael shakes his head angrily. “Why do they always get fucking greedy?” It’s not the first time people have tried to rip me off.
“It’s human nature. It’s hardly enough to make even a small dent in our empire, which confirms that he’s doing this to get one over on me. It’s personal. Hulk doesn’t need the money.”
Michael shrugs. “I’d usually say that anyone stupid enough to fuck with you must be desperate, but we know Hulk isn’t. I think you’re right—he wants to get one over on you. He hasn’t made a secret of the fact he hates the club is in partnership with us. Maybe it’s his way of rebelling?”
