The door opens again, and the snake gestures for me to follow.
Within these walls, nothing feels safe or warm. There is no room for comfort or relaxation. Not when everything is a threat.
I’m escorted to the elevator, which we take to the ground level.
When the doors open, it’s Mateo that I see. Tall and broad, with a hint of danger lurking in his eyes.
It’s hard to describe how beautiful he is, because words simply aren’t enough to capture the feelings coursing through my veins.
I hate him. Of that, there is no question.
But I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want him in some small way in my mind, and a very big way between my thighs.
With an old man, I wouldn’t be so conflicted, but no amount of girlish lust will change my husband’s fate.
This man is marked for death.
By my hands.
I step out from the elevator, and he takes a step forward, bowing respectfully. Which is…shocking.
“You look beautiful,” Mateo says as he presents me with a box. I lift the lid and find a gorgeous Victorian necklace strewn with dark gems and beads.
“Will you be taking off my collar?” I ask in surprise.
“No, my dear wife. This attaches to it.”
Without warning, he reaches to caress my cheek. Startled, I take a step back, but the snake’s hand presses against my back, shoving me forward so that I nearly fall into Mateo.
“Sorry!” I blurt, my eyes trained on the floor.
He lifts my chin, forcing my eyes to his. “There was no reason for you to be. It was Jade who was careless.” He looks past me, over my shoulder. “Apologize to my wife.”
“My apologies for pushing too hard, my lady. I did not want your clumsiness to result in an accident,” the snake says.
Mateo’s jaw visibly clenches, but he says nothing as he takes the jewelry from the box.
“Turn for me,” he instructs.
I obey, turning to face his assistant, who is scowling.
“From now on, you’re to address my wife as Mrs. Rossi,” he tells the snake. “Do you understand?”
She nods once. “As you wish.”
Mateo clasps the attachment to my collar, and I feel the center gem dangling just above my cleavage.
Mateo turns me back around, bringing eyes from my crown to my heels. “Exquisite.”
A prickle of pride blooms within my chest, though why I should feel it confuses me. I don’t love this man, and I never will.
And yet, his praise is like the sun on my flesh, basking me in warmth.
Mateo extends an elbow out for me. “Come. We have reservations at Deco 6 and it would be good of us to be on time.”
I loop my hand through his arm and allow him to lead me outside to a waiting limousine.
* * *
