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“Your ring,” he stated.
Following his movements, I watched as his coat pulled back and his hand retrieved a small box from the inside pocket. Distant and impersonal, he opened the box and offered me the ring to take.
It was beautiful and elegant. At any other moment, I would have gushed about its antique and unique style. The gold band crossed in gentle loops. The small diamonds crossed the openings, leading to a stunning oval diamond set into a gorgeous setting. Its size didn’t surprise me. After all, I was to become the boss of Miami’s wife, but the detail and refined piece to pick instead of taking a more generic route, did.
“You can pick out a different one.” Lucca had taken my silence of appreciation for displeasure.
“No.” I looked up at his eyes before they returned to the ring. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I caught the honesty in my voice, amazed that I was being sincere. Vulnerable even. My fists balled.
He noticed, and his hand stretched between our bodies. Palm up, it challenged.
Opening my left fist, I fought its trembling, and I hated every second of it. It showed weakness, but I couldn’t stop it. My body acted on its own, failing to heed my commands.
Lucca stood unbothered as he grasped my cold hand, gliding the gold band securely onto my finger. I dared to look up. His eyes swarmed in sadistic triumph as he memorized my ringed hand.His.
“You should change into warm clothes before we leave.” His offer caught me off guard.
A dress in this weather wasn’t my first choice, but it was the easiest to conceal and retrieve my push dagger.
“I’m not cold.”
“Your body’s temperature says otherwise.” Lucca squeezed my fingers. The tell of my lie.
I pulled my hand away. “Do you care?”
He smiled. It was the first time I’d seen it, and while it reached his eyes, I didn’t trust it.
“I care to leave the city before the storm arrives.” He waved his hands. “So, if you need to get comfortable and warm, do so now. I won't be stuck in New York for longer than I need to be.”
It was the longest Lucca had ever spoken to me, but it was clear he didn’t care as he ignored my statement. There was no reason to say I, too, shared his hatred for New York. How I’ve been waiting for the last night I would sleep under my father’s roof. A house that haunted me to the point of fleeing thoughts.
He. Wouldn’t. Care.
“I’ll grab my coat.”
“Wait.”
I froze, and his hand startled me as it applied pressure to my arm. Lucca then twisted his hand, bringing me back to face him once more. I had promised I wouldn’t cower under his stare, but his eyes sought violence. With his hand tightening and causing pain, my heart could almost weep at the life I would have as his wife.
I wasn’t expecting trust, respect, or love out of our marriage. I was no fool.
But I had wished for a life without physical abuse. A life I never wanted to return to. Because I wouldalwaysfight back, and it would only hurt more.
Lucca’s free hand tipped my chin. Defiant, I searched for his eyes, but they weren’t on mine. They were focused on the bruise my father had gifted me by my hairline. His gaze then scrutinized every inch of my face. My arm muscles ached, and I swung my arm.
He held both my face and my body tight.
“Let go.” I seethed, but my next words caught his attention. “You are hurting me.”
He dropped his hands automatically, without an apology, as if he had lost his cool.
“Who?”
In one word, he ordered an answer.
“Do you care?” I asked again, but this time my tone had grown bitter. I could easily have saidmy father, butafter the way he had hurt me himself, he had no right to ask.
“Don’t be bold, Katia. I torture answers with a smile.”
