My family has too much on the line. Their survival—and mine—rests squarely on my shoulders.
“Sora?” my mother calls gently from my borrowed room.
I quickly pat my face dry, glad that I’ll be wearing makeup to hide any residual proof that I was crying. “Coming,” I say, stepping back out of the en-suite bathroom to meet her.
“Where did you get that?” she asks, her eyes widening as she takes in the crimson velvet that clings to my curves like a glove to a hand.
“Oh, um…” Heat floods my cheeks as I look down at the form-fitting dress. “Leonardo sent it up. It’s a present—but I can take it off. I know it’s inappropriate,” I add quickly when I see the disapproval written across her face.
My mother’s lips press into a flat line, but she shakes her head. “No, if it’s a present, you must accept it. I just wish these Italians had a bit more… class.”
I nod, biting the inside of my cheek to stay quiet because, as mad at Leo as I am, I do actually love the dress. But saying so would only alienate me from my mother.
“Well, we’ll have to leave your hair down tonight,” she says. “At least that will cover some of your back.” She nods to the vanity so we can get started on my makeup. Then her eyes fall on the black velvet box sitting there. “Another gift from your betrothed?”
“I haven’t opened that one yet,” I admit, my cheeks warming further.
She gestures for me to do so, and my pulse quickens as I brace for another potential catastrophe.
Breath caught in my chest, I pick up the box that’s roughly the size of my palm and slowly open it.
My mother’s soft gasp echoes my own.
“Well, at least he has good taste in jewelry,” she says, running her finger over the cushion that surrounds the ruby clusters.
The variety of pear- and marquise-cut gems are large enough to guarantee they cost a fortune and have been set into an elegant asymmetrical design intended to curve along the shells of my ears.
They catch even the dim bedroom light, dancing like flames.
They’re the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received, and it makes my chest ache.
How can Leo treat me so monstrously and then give me a gift like this?
6
LEO
“Where do you want me?” the busty blonde murmurs seductively as I close us inside the next available room. Her eager breaths wash over me, her blue eyes wide and inviting, and her hands roam freely down my chest, exploring me now that we’re alone.
But after seeing how thoroughly I got under Sora’s skin, I’m finding it hard to draw much pleasure from the moment. It’s been my singular mission to find cracks in my intended bride’s composure, but today when we burst in on her, it felt more like I shattered something deeper.
Suddenly, my blonde conquest feels too enthusiastic, too eager to be interesting. I don’t even know her name, but she’s already starting to unbutton the crisp white dress shirt that’s part of her serving uniform.
“Stop,” I insist, pulling her hands away from her buttons before she can get too far.
“Would you rather I start with you?” she asks, sinking to her knees and running her hands down my abs to my belt.
She’s looking up at me through thick mascara-coated lashes, her lips softly parted in a sensual look that says she’s ready to wrap them around my cock, but right now, nothing could interest me less.
“No, just… get up. Get out.” Grasping her upper arm, I pull her back to her feet and turn her toward the door.
Doubt and confusion flash across her face, and she turns back to me with a hurt expression. “You don’t even want to come in my mouth?” she offers. “Or I could put on a show if you’re feeling shy.” Her lips curve into a coy grin as she thinks she’s got my number. “I’ve always dreamed of experiencing the famous Chiaroscuro playboy.”
Growling with irritation, I storm past her and wrench open the door. “Just get back to work,” I command over my shoulder before I stride down the hall to get ready.
I’m used to women throwing themselves at my feet. Pussy’s not a hard thing to come by when you’re the heir to an empire like ours.
And most of the time, I really don’t mind using that to my advantage.
