"Sit."
I perched on the edge of the leather chair facing his desk. Kept my spine straight, hands folded, expression neutral.
Salvatore didn't sit. Instead, he circled around me slowly. Assessing. Like I was livestock being evaluated forpurchase.
His hand touched my hair. Light. Possessive. I fought every instinct that screamed to pull away.
"You've done well in my absence. Mrs. Rossi tells me you're a quick study. Obedient. Eager to please." His fingers trailed from my hair to my shoulder. "These are good qualities in a wife."
His touch made my skin crawl. Made me want to scrub myself raw until the feeling of his hands disappeared.
But I stayed perfectly still. Gave no indication of my revulsion.
"I hope to be everything you need me to be."
Another lie. I was building quite a collection.
"I'm sure you will be." He moved to stand in front of me, tilting my chin up with one finger. "You're going to make a beautiful bride. Young. Fertile. Perfect for bearing the sons I require. Obedient enough to know your place."
Bile rose in my throat. I swallowed it down. Forced myself to meet his eyes without flinching.
"I'm honored by your confidence in me."
"In one month, you'll be mine completely. In my bed. Bearing my name. Under my control in every way that matters. I want to make absolutely certain you understand what that means."
Every cell in my body screamed in protest. But I nodded slowly.
"I understand completely. I'll be your wife in every sense of the word."
God, I wanted to vomit. Wanted to run. Wanted Kai to burst through the door and put a bullet in this man's head.
But I sat still. Played the role. Survived.
Salvatore studied me for a long moment, those cold eyes searching for any hint of deception.
"I've heard you've been spending considerable time with Kai. Learning about the family business. That's acceptable. You should understand how this organization operates. But I want to make sure you remember who you belong to."
Warning bells went off in my head. He suspected something. Maybe not the full truth, but something.
"Kai has been an excellent teacher. Professional and thorough. He'shelped me understand the complexity of the family's operations. But I've never forgotten for a moment that I'm here to marry you, Don Salvatore. That you're the one I'm meant to serve and honor."
The words nearly choked me. But they seemed to satisfy him.
"Good. I'd hate to think my son was overstepping his role. He can be... protective sometimes. It runs in the family."
Protective. Right. That's definitely what we'd been doing.
"He's been nothing but respectful. I appreciate his dedication to following your orders."
Salvatore nodded slowly. Then dropped the bomb I'd been dreading.
"Starting next week, I want you to move your belongings to my wing of the estate. You'll occupy the suite adjacent to mine. It will help you adjust to our living arrangements before the wedding. Give us time to become better acquainted."
My heart plummeted into my stomach. Crashed through the floor. Kept falling.
Living in his wing meant no privacy. No stolen moments with Kai. Constant surveillance and control.
It meant the beginning of the end.
