I’m terrified of not being able to compete with his love for Catherine and her ghost that haunts these halls.Haunts me.
I stare at the empty side of the bed where he’s never going to sleep next to me.Sadness for something I never knew I wanted overwhelms me.
Downstairs, everyone is in a bustle, moving furniture, putting up Halloween-inspired decorations.I spot the young maid from the east tower.“What’s going on?”
Her brows knit together.She gives me a curious smirk.I think she likes that she knows this house and my husband better than I do.“Every year Mr.Moretti throws a masquerade party.”
I thank her, though the words burn in my throat like acid.She scurries off to continue her duties.I meander through the workers and head to the kitchen in search of coffee.
Marco leans against the center island devouring a muffin.The sight of him turns my stomach.He smiles his slimy smile at me.“Rough night?You look like shit.You know what’s good for the skin?”
I roll my eyes at him and grab a mug.
“Semen.You say the word, I’ll hook you up.”
“You’re a pig.”
“Oink.Oink, baby.”He grabs his crotch.
What would Nico do if he knew his brother was treating me this way?Would he care?Does he know already?
I should splash my hot coffee in his face.That would teach him.I imagine the satisfaction I’d feel hearing him scream.
“There you are,” my husband says as he enters the kitchen.
He looks good.The first few buttons of his white-collared shirt are undone, exposing his chest tattoo.It’s sexy.
“You’re back.”
He moves in front of me and presses his lips to my forehead.“Miss me?”
“Of course.You didn’t tell me there’s a party.”
“That’s because you distracted me.”He grins, giving my hip a squeeze.
I take a chance and wrap my arms around his midsection.I inhale his scent.That woodsy yet spicy smell that is now my favorite.
“Did Marco behave while I was gone?”he murmurs into my hair, and I tense up.I glance at Marco, and I know he’s listening to see how I’ll handle this.
“Nothing I can’t handle, but you on the other hand…” I slide a hand up his neck, growing braver with every passing second.Up on my toes, I press my lips to his.“You’re on my naughty list, but there are ways you can make it up to me.”
“Tonight,” he says, his gaze smoldering with promises of what’s to come.“I bought you this while I was away, Fiore Mio.”He pulls a necklace from his pocket.The minute I saw this, I thought of you.”
I turn brushing my hair from my neck as he clasps the silver chain with a diamond-encrusted flower pendant dangling in the middle.
“Thank you.”
“Get used to it,” Marco inserts himself into our moment.“My brother leaves a lot but always returns with a gift.”
“I do love presents.”
“Good.Because I also bought you a new dress for the party.”
“When is this party?”
“Halloween night.”
“Hope you love a good fright, sister.The staff transforms the manor into a true haunted house.”
