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She glances at me and smiles.
“Good morning, principessa,” she greets me with a nod.
I still can’t get used to someone calling me that. I know I’m born to a mafia family, which make me a principessa, but I grew up outside this world.
“Good morning,” I respond before finding a cup and pouring some already brewed coffee.
The scent of the dark liquid makes me hum with appreciation. I add milk and settle at the table where the stack of newspapers awaits the guys. Even though we’re on an island, there’s still a need to keep in touch with what’s happening in the outside world. It could be done via computer, but for some reason, Judah always has these papers delivered.
When I feel a presence enter the kitchen, I don’t want to look, but my gaze is magnetised to the familiar man who saunters into the room. Judah is tall. His lean yet muscled body is encased in a tailored suit, perfectly fitted to his frame. The dark material against his olive skin makes him look like an Adonis. A model stepping off a runway. There’s no doubt about it, he’s breathtakingly gorgeous, but that doesn’t stop him from being an arsehole.
Once he has his coffee in hand, he turns and seems almost surprised to see me. He doesn’t greet me, he doesn’t even acknowledge me as he sits across from me at the table. I watch him intently as he picks up a newspaper, flicks to a page, scans it, then sets it down.
“Today you’ll go to the mainland with Valen,” he says finally, then pierces me with hazel eyes. There are tiny hints of olive green in the irises, making for an intoxicating view.
“What am I meant to do there?” I lean back in my chair as I regard him.
I’m not going to allow myself to be pushed around. As much as Judah intimidates me, I’m not going to show weakness. Papa always taught me that our enemies want to discover what causes us to cower. They’ll use whatever they can to see us break. Judah will learn, though, I’m not easily broken.
“You have a wedding to plan,” he announces as he pushes to his feet. It’s the last thing I expected him to say. “Aren’t women into that kind of thing?”
His dark brow arches but is obscured by the chocolate locks hanging over his forehead. I hate that he’s so beautiful to look at.
“Some women are, yes,” I answer as I stand, but even as I straighten, I’m no match for him. I reach his chest at best. “But that’s when they’re in love with their husband-to-be,” I throw out as I pin him with a glare.
“Marriage doesn’t always equal love.” The corners of his lips quirk up into a smirk as he looks down at me. “And vows don’t always need to bring emotion. In our world, a twisted promise is as important as a vow gushed with love and devotion.”
I fold my arms across my chest, and tip my chin up. “So you’d be happy with a wife you don’t love, who you never touch or kiss, who you never—”
Judah leans in close causing my words get stuck in my throat as I inhale his woody cologne.
“I don’t need a wife to give me anything, including a fuck,” he sneers as he glares at me. “I can have a woman in my bed with a snap of my fingers. And love,” he whispers now, his voice low, barely audible, “is a wasted emotion that brings pain and anguish. I don’t want it or need it.”
My mouth pops open but I can’t find a response. My head is spinning from his admission and the masculine scent of him. He straightens easily, making sure his suit jacket is neat before he spins on his heel and heads out of the kitchen. My hands are shaking as I reach for the edge of the table.
Suddenly, the back door opens and Valen stumbles through with three large black dogs on leashes. I didn’t realise there were any animals on the property—besides Judah of course.
“Hey,” Valen says as his eyes land on me. “What’s wrong?” Concern creases his eyebrows as he regards me with worry in his expression.
I must look like I’ve seen a ghost. That’s what Judah does to me, he breaks me down into tiny morsels, making it easier to devour me.
“Nothing,” I tell Valen. “Well, we’re going to London today as you know. I must play the happy fiancé.” The harsh tone of my voice must make it clear I’m struggling with everything because Valen stares at me, waiting for me to say more.
I can’t bring myself to speak, so I turn away, ignoring his stare as I refill my mug and take a long sip. The kitchen is so silent, even with the three dogs Valen’s still holding. When I don’t continue talking, he shrugs and gets them to sit before unleashing them. Then, they’re out the door and into the garden at the back of the house.
“Are you ready to head out?” he asks as he joins me at the kitchen counter. “I just need to shower and change.” I glance at him, and when he leans in close, my breath is caught in my lungs. He’s handsome, breathtakingly so, and even though I’m not sure what Judah would do if he walked in right now, I can’t pull away.
“I’ll be ready when you are.” I offer him a smile, but he doesn’t seem convinced that I’m not freaked out.
I’m not sure how I feel. Perhaps it’s more anger than anything else. I don’t want Judah to have this effect on me, but he does. It’s the cold, calculated stare he gives that sets me on edge.
“Meet you on the porch,” Valen says as he leaves me in the kitchen.
Once I’m alone, I ponder my interactions with the Princes of Black Hollow, so far. Valen has been the friendliest. He’s always polite and doesn’t give off a threatening vibe. Though, that doesn’t completely put me at ease, because these men are trained to be killers. They’re practiced in the art of putting on a mask.
Kai has been elusive, for the most part, but there’s something calming about him. Silent, but more than likely, deadly. All three of them are heartthrobs. But each of them very different in their demeanour and looks.
Valen has broad shoulders and a tapered waist. His body is toned and inked beautifully, which is obvious when he’s wearing a T-shirt, and I can’t deny I’m attracted to him. It makes me feel guilty because I’m meant to be Judah’s.
