“You’re not like them,” I rush to reassure him. “I won’t lie and say I’m not disgusted you propositioned my husband and effectively bought me, but you’re not fucking me in lieu of a cash debt; you’re doing it because you want me, and you’ve already treated me better in two days than my husband has treated me in six years.”
“That doesn’t make it right!” he yells, hopping up and pacing the ground. “Fucking hell.” He rubs his hands continuously over his face and through his hair. Then he rushes to my side, kneeling in front of me. “I’m so sorry, Valentina. I would have found another way if I’d known.”
“It’s okay,” I say, and I mean it. I’m not happy about the deal, but his motives were driven by need for me, and maybe it’s wrong, maybe I’m too messed up to see it clearly, but no one has ever fought for me or wanted me this much to go to such lengths. Only Fiero.
“It’s not okay, honey.” He sits down beside me again. “It’s very far from okay. I’ve made mistakes with you, but I’ll make it up to you. I’ll treat you like a queen, give you everything your heart desires and more. I’ll worship the ground you walk on and never make you feel like this again. I swear.” Bringing my hand to his lips, he dusts kisses all over my skin, sending a rake of fiery tremors shooting up my arm.
“You’re speaking like we’re forever when we both know we’re not.”
“Quit deluding yourself. Weareforever, and we both know it.”
“All I know is you’re crazy.”
“Guilty as charged, but so are you, baby. Deny it all you want, but we both know the truth. Now quit deflecting and tell me the rest. I want a list of names by morning.”
“What?” I splutter.
“I want to know who these men were.”
“Why?”
“So I can fucking annihilate them for daring to touch what is mine.”
I think there’s a compliment mixed in with that misogynistic crap, but again, I’m clearly a nutjob because I love he wants to get violent to seek revenge for me. Not that I can let him. “I’m not giving you names. I can’t in most cases because I blocked them all out. It’s the only way I could hold on to my sanity. They fucked my body, but I never let them get into my head.”
“What about Vitto?” A muscle clenches in his jaw. “Has he touched you?”
I shake my head. “No. Vitto is always kind to me. He wouldn’t do that.”
Disbelief is etched all over Fiero’s face.
“I’m sure you’re aware Vitto is not loyal to his wife, but he doesn’t force women, and he’s not into it if it’s not completely consensual. Besides, Dom would never offer me to him. It’s a matter of pride. I’ve heard him bragging how his wife is sexier and more desired than the don’s wife.”
Fiero’s face scrunches in disgust. He heaves out a heavy sigh, scrubbing a hand along his prickly jawline. “How many?”
“Don’t ask me to tell you that.”
“I’m so sorry, Valentina.” He lifts me carefully into his lap, hugging me close. “You should never have had to endure that. That’s not how things are supposed to be done now. The Commission has made their stance very clear. Wives are to be cherished and adored and respected. Dominic is going to regret every single thing he’s subjected you to.”
“I hope so.” My voice is timid, my body exhausted. I’m feeling drained, and I haven’t even explained half of it.
“The scars,” he says.
“Yes,” I whisper, praying he lets it go.
“Just don’t mark her face.” He briefly closes his eyes. “That motherfucker is going down, and you’ll give me the name of the sadistic prick who whipped you.”
Hisface flashes before my eyes, and a shudder seizes hold of my body. As long as I live, I’ll never forget that evil bastard. Outwardly, he was handsome and dashing, but inside, he was ugly as sin.
“He’s already dead.”
Fiero grips my face and peers deep into my eyes. “Is that the truth?”
I stare right back at him. “Yes.”
His tongue darts out, wetting his full lips, lips that have already given me so much pleasure. I rest my head on his shoulder and huddle closer to his chest.
“What did Cesco do yesterday?” he asks after a few silent beats.
