CHAPTER 19
Cian
Insanity. That’s the only rational explanation for what I just did. I worked hard for that peace treaty between us and the Italians, only to blow it all with a single bullet to Lorenzo’s head. I fucked up, and the craziest thing about it is that I don’t even care.
I won’t uphold the treaty at the expense of my wife’s wellbeing. Which makes me certifiably insane. I didn’t even want this woman, or a wife, but now that I have her I’m never letting her go.
Not again. Not ever.
I glance over at her as I drive us home. She stares out the window, her eyes unfocused, and I wonder what drug they gave her. How long will it be in her system? The thought of her drugged and bound has me grinding my teeth, my knuckles white against the steering wheel.
She’s obviously in shock, too. What will happen when she’s clear-headed again? Will she see me for the reckless villain I am?
I murdered her brother, and now her father, too. She was not only forced into an arranged marriage with me, but I also bought her at a fucking auction.
I own her twice over.
And I have every intention of keeping her for myself whether she wants to be with me or not.
It’s my fault she was put up for sale. That never would have happened if I hadn’t ditched her at her family home. An abusive household.
I’m not her hero. I’m certainly not her savior.
Lorenzo always rubbed me the wrong way, but I could never pinpoint why exactly. Now I know how he treated his daughters, probably his wife too. He was just as twisted as his son. Though better at hiding it.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, though I don’t expect her forgiveness. “I overreacted that night in the car. Sometimes I see… sinister intentions where there aren’t any. You selflessly took your sister’s place, and married a stranger, for the greater good. And I punished you for it.” I swallow the lump in my throat. “I’m sorry.”
Her gaze slides to me. “I wanted to tell you the truth. I really did, but?—”
“I know. I made it near impossible, but you tried anyway. You’re a brave woman, Ravenna.”
Her gaze brightens when I call her by her real name—instead of her sister’s.Ravenna. I like her name. It suits her much better than Elena.
When we arrive home, I take Ravenna in my arms and carry her into the house. Wolfe’s immediately on me, his glance catching on her crimson splattered legs. I have a visceral need to clean her father’s filthy blood from her skin. To get every speck of him off of her.
“What happened?” Wolfe cautiously asks, following us through the house.
“I won the auction. Obviously. Lorenzo Pontrelli is dead. I killed him. You’ll need to get the car’s interior cleaned.” That about sums it up.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Cian, can’t you control your temper for one fucking minute?”
I snarl at him. “He beat my wife. He sold her. He confessed, and I fucking killed him. He deserved to die.” No regrets.
“Well, now what the hell are we going to do? You can bet the Italians are going to come for us as soon as they find their don’s body. They’re going to want answers. Or they might just decide to massacre us all. Did you think about that?” He crosses his arms.
I grunt, open my bedroom door and head for the en suite. “I’ll deal with it in the morning.”
“Why not right now?” Wolfe insists.
“Because mywifeneeds me right now.”
“Jesus.” Wolfe leaves in a huff. I know he’s disappointed in me, but I’ll deal with that tomorrow too.
Turning on the shower, I step inside, fully clothed, with Ravenna in my arms. Pink water circles down the drain as we stand in the spray.
I set her on her feet and go about unpinning her hair, then removing her bra and panties. The water reveals that most of her bruises were covered with makeup. She’s a mottled mess of faded yellow, dark purple and blue. Lorenzo must have been beating her as soon as she returned home. As soon as I delivered her to his doorstep.
I grind my teeth.
