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Her fucking mouth. Her will excited me and yet filled me with ire. With her, patience was not one of my strengths.
In one swift movement, I faced her with my hand wrapped around the back of her hairline. Shock glistened from her green gems as she tried to draw away. My face inched closer in wild darkness. There was no escape. My hand covered most of her neck as her hair entwined with my fingers. A small, delicious taste I wanted to explore further, but first, she needed a tug.
“Listen carefully. I will not repeat myself.”
A shimmer of fear flew past her features. Good. This game she wanted to play risked high stakes.
I had to make her understand, and this was the only way I could do it without causing her physical pain, even while my demon begged for it.
“This is Miami, Katia. My city. Therefore, soon yours.” Her eyes swayed, and I applied pressure to keep them on me. “Inside the doors of my home and my bed, be my guest. Feed my twisted mind. But I won't allow your disrespect in public.” Her hand gripped my forearm tightly.
“Are we clear?”
There it was, the igniting fire in her eyes.
“Don’t treat me like a child.” Her head tilted defiantly. “Iwas born into this world.”
Her weak jab didn’t faze me. She didn’t know who I was, or my past.
“Then act like it.” I released my grip and rolled my shoulders back.
Katia’s head tilted, her lips curled, and she gritted her teeth.
“I was aware we were too far to be heard. Even on the plane, my voice never reached your man.” She spoke quickly, but now, it was she who wanted to make things clear. “I won’t cower to you, Lucca.” It was the second time she’d spoken my name. It fell from her lips just as alluringly as it had in front of her father.
“I know the rules of this world of ours and what it means to become your wife. Which is why I never spoke out loud. Whispers can become threats. If a boss’smerewife can disrespect him, what will keep others from doing so?”
Hm.
“Don’t look surprised. I’m a woman, not an imbecile. After all, I am here because others could not have done what I could.” I pushed her to continue. “A treaty between families.”
“Your brother did that.”
“But it’s me who is marryingyou.”
With a smirk, I said, “Good, then we are clear.”
Katia walked past me, and I watched her go straight to the waiting car. Her hand gently touched her neck, rubbing the back of her neck gently. A gesture that could have been taken due to the discomfort I’d caused, and I couldn’t remove my eyes away from her. The confidence she displayed even with her back facing me.
I was right. Katia posed a threat. She knew more than I had given her credit for. That was my mistake, underestimating her. But she’d overshared, and glimpses of this deceitful creature were revealed.
That gesture was nothing more than a clever line to lure me into her cunning agenda.
As I followed behind her, I thought of our brief conversations, and the brief glimpse of fear she’d shown.
What had been real, and what had been a game?
IX
KATIA
I was losing control.A feeling that left me desperate and reckless. Placing blame on the drastic changes in my life would have been easier than the thought thathewas the reason for my outbursts, but I knew the truth. Itwashim.
I never had an issue with self-control. But when he was around, all I managed to do was spit my thoughts out loud.
Nonno would be disappointed if he could see my actions, my inability to maintain composure and poise. After all, my grandfather had guided me for this life. The person who empowered me from a young age to be strong. Not by the force of his fist, but by showing me the ugly of our world. He didn’t shield me from its cruelty or what it meant to be a woman of the underworld. Instead, he taught me how to rise above. He taught me to survive.
Then why was I feelingeverything?
