While she sets her clothing to rights, I exit the vehicle and leave the door open for her. The instant the soles of my shoes touch the ground, I’m striding toward the house without bothering to look behind me. If Emilia thinks to run, she’ll be caught by my men before she’s gotten fifteen feet.
A member of my household staff greets me when I enter, and another one approaches me in the foyer. “Good evening, sir,” she says in Italian.
I acknowledge her with a quick nod and switch to our native tongue. “Signora Rosetta. Is her room ready?”
“Yes, sir. And may I offer you my congratulations on your marriage?”
I grin at the woman, who is like a second mother to me. Her brown eyes are always warm and kind when she gazes at me, but that can shift in a wink. I’ve seen her kill someone without hesitation, and there was nothing in her gaze except satisfaction then, negating all the softness I’d thought her to possess. Rosetta has served my family since my parents were married, and it takes someone like her to survive in the underworld for so long.
“No, you may not congratulate me on my nuptials,” I say, my tone playful yet exasperated, “and you know it.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief, belying her teasing, but the rest of her is composed. “I was referring to your acquisition.” Her gaze darkens and roves over me when she asks, “I assume it went well?”
Rosetta’s concern for me is always present. Whenever I return she assesses me for injury, and it makes no never mind to her whether I’ve come from murdering someone or was simply out. Her dedication falls in line with our family motto: loyalty ‘til death.
And that is why she’s the only woman I trust.
“Caruso’s men were incompetent as expected,” I tell her. “We had his place overrun quicker than I’d anticipated, showcasing his ineptitude as a boss. I was in his daughter’s room before he could notify his men of our presence.”
“I’m—” Rosetta snaps her head in Emilia’s direction as soon as she steps inside. The older woman’s shrewd gaze takes everything in, from my bride’s clothes to the tousled mane of midnight curls framing her pale face, and I’m sure there’s nothing that escapes her notice. “She is quite lovely, Maximus.”
Rosetta brings her attention back to me, and I school my features, erasing all traces of the lightheartedness from before. I’ve become a master at keeping people from reading me, but sometimes Rosetta can because she knows me so well. And when it comes to Emilia, I don’t want anyone knowing my inner thoughts.
“Caruso’s daughter is a tool, nothing more. And as of now, she has served her main purpose.” I flick my gaze over to my bride, who stands with her head slightly bowed and her hands clasped in front of that ridiculous nightgown. The pink color still irks me. Yes, she’s truly an innocent, more than I thought, but she is a temptress, so that pastel doesn’t suit her. “Unfortunately, I’m not certain Caruso cares for his daughter, which means any suffering she endures won’t be effective. That’ll disappoint my brothers.”
Rosetta slowly nods. “I see. Would you like me to escort her upstairs?”
“No. She will come with me, but I’ll notify you when she’s to be under your supervision.” I turn to Emilia, and nothing about her blank expression has changed. It looks as if she also has learned a thing or two about keeping her thoughts hidden, but that won’t withstand my tactics of prying information from her.
“Very good, sir.”
After dismissing Rosetta, I revert to English. “Follow me,donnaccia.”
The quick padding of her feet across the tile confirms Emilia’s obedience. It would seem she’s back to being compliant, and it puzzles me. Emilia said she was submissive, yet the defiance she displayed in the vehicle was strong, more than I thought possible. What caused it to surface?
I ponder this as I lead the way to my bedroom. I’m not interested in having this interrogation in my office, though I’m not exactly thrilled about her being in my personal domain. But I want to use the intimate setting to fuck with her mind, to make her think about what I could do to her. In reality, I could do anything at any location and at any time. And if I did, at what point would she finally beg?
When I asked her if she wanted to come, it was all I could do to keep from fucking her into giving me a response. We both knew how desperate she was, but my bride wouldn’t give in, and that was with the knowledge I could’ve punished her for it. Because she’s avoided rebellion this entire time, I’m puzzled over what prompted her change in behavior.
Even more so over the fact I was aroused by it.
I may have to fuck her out of my system, but the filth she comes from still flows in her blood, and I don’t know if I can reconcile that, even to clear my head. She is tainted, no matter her innocence.
After I push open the door, I gesture to the bed with a flick of my wrist. “Sit.”
Emilia enters, and I study her reaction to the space. She roams her gaze over the raised platform, which displays my large bed, complete with crimson bedding that’s dark enough to be mistaken for black. The high ceilings give the room a colossal feel, as do the floor-length bulletproof windows decorated with sheer curtains.
Once she’s seated on the edge of the mattress with her hands folded demurely in her lap, I remove my weapons from their holsters and set them on the nightstand—a test to see how foolish she is. They aren’t within reach yet not more than five feet away. Emilia doesn’t do more than watch me with a wary expression, and not once does her body lean toward the firearms.
“Tell me everything you know about Caruso’s operations,” I say. I unbutton my shirt and remove my holsters with her gaze fastened to my every move. “It doesn’t matter how insignificant the details; I want them all.”
“I don’t know anything.”
I click my tongue at her in admonishment. “You know more than you think, and I have no problem forcing the information out of you. And don’t forget to address me appropriately.”
She licks her lips, most likely due to nervousness, and it snags my attention. “I wasn’t told anything concerning his business dealings, and I wasn’t allowed to leave my room, so there’s no way I would’ve been able to find out, sir.”
“Fucking useless.” I toss my shirt to the floor and remove my shoes. Then I reach for my belt and undo the clasp, threading the leather through the buckle. “I didn’t think you were the type to lie and be difficult, but I’m not above breaking you of that stubborn streak.”
