This is fucked up, but there’s a fine line between lust and hate, and I’m hovering on the edge right now.
My fingers stroke her jaw before drifting down her neck. She wants to push me away. I can read it in her eyes, but the twisted, toxic fire that burns between us stops her.
“Sure about that, princess?” I whisper as my lips hover over hers.
“Positive,” she hisses before attempting to knee me in the balls.
I chuckle before stepping back.
“Your self-defense skills are pathetic.” I haven’t forgotten the way she froze at the hotel, and for a moment I feel ashamed that I’ve touched her without her consent. But this is different. She’s my wife, and she knows I’d never hurt her. Even though she drives me fucking insane.
“Fuck you,” she huffs, but the heat in her eyes has faded and this time, I don’t stop her from twisting away from my grasp.
“You need some lessons.” I meant to suggest this after the hotel incident, but Ronald’s death derailed things. “As my wife, you’re a target for our enemies, so it would be useful if you had more tricks up your sleeve than nailing a guy in the balls.”
“Isn’t that why your stooge follows me around like a bad smell?” She moves back to the far end of the sofa and eyes me warily.
“There may come a time when someone gets past the guards. As happened the other night.” I hate the way the color leeches from her cheeks. It reminds me of how fucking powerless I felt when I realized some cunt had hurt her while I wasn’t there to protect her. One day, I will find out all the facts about what happened, and if there’s any way to track down the person who dared touch my wife, I’ll leave no stone unturned. The only good rapist is a dead one.
“Whatever.” Chiara picks up her empty glass and turns to leave the room. The movie credits are rolling, but she doesn’t seem interested in rewinding it back to the point where Luka walked in.
“Kane will give you lessons, starting tomorrow.” He’s the only person I trust with her.
“I’m not sure I have time in my busy schedule if you want me to continue going through the accounts.” She’s right, but her safety is more important.
“Be ready at seven a.m. You can head to the office after.”
She nods, and I’m left wondering why she isn’t objecting to Kane throwing her around the gym, and also whether Luka isn’t the only threat to my fake marriage.
To no one’s surprise, she’s in the kitchen with Luka when I stroll in. He’s holding a bag of frozen peas against his jaw. As much as I feel like ringing his bell again, I put a lid on my temper and pretend all is fine.
Luka slides a wary look in my direction as I place my used glass in the dishwasher while Chiara stands next to him. Not quite touching, but the intimacy between the two of them is clear.
Seeing how she leans into him stings like a motherfucker.
It should be me she wants, not him.
But as Kane would tell me, I’ve done nothing to earn her trust.
“It’s late,” I say, stating the obvious.
“And?” My wife stiffens, ready for another argument. At least Luka has the good sense to keep his mouth shut.
“If you’re not in the gym by seven, Kane has my permission to drag you from your bed.” The moment the words leave my lips, I realize I’ve made a mistake.
“Maybe I’ll enjoy that,” she smirks while Luka chokes on a laugh.
My fists clench, but I force a smile. “Then you’ll love the cold shower too.”
Her smile drops. “He wouldn’t dare.”
I feign nonchalance, but she and I both know the fucker would probably enjoy the view of her soaking wet.
“Guess you’ll find out, princess.” She spits daggers at me before storming off. Luka watches her leave and then rolls his eyes at me.
“You could try being nice to her. It’ll get you a lot further.”
“Like you?” I glare at him, but to my surprise, he glares right back at me.
