Lorenzo’s oily gaze snakes down my body, taking in the way the silky fabric drapes across my chest and hips.
“You know, I wasn’t sure why Angelo wanted you so badly,” he remarks, still staring at my breasts. “You were such a skinny thing as a teenager. No curves. Not at all womanly. But now…”A wet tongue slides out and moistens his lips. It reminds me of a slug. “Still, it doesn’t matter how fuckable you are when you can’t give him a baby.”
“Excuse me?” My brain finally processes his vile words. Angelo wanted me? Huh? He made me believe he’d had no choice, and that it was Vivian who brokered the deal. From what Lorenzo just told me, it sounds like Angelo chose me long before Vivian sold me to line her pockets.
“I warned him earlier that if you don’t pop out an heir soon, I’ll have no choice but to get rid of you.” His eyes are blank. Devoid of emotion. The man truly is a psychopath.
It’s a miracle Angelo and Fina are well-adjusted. Well, Fina is. Angelo…not so much.
“Has it ever occurred to you that Angelo might be firing blanks?” I sneer at Lorenzo while edging sideways. The door is only a few feet away, and Lorenzo is swaying slightly after consuming way too much expensive liquor.
If I reach the door, he might let me go.
Yeah, it’s a lousy plan, but I’m all out of ideas.
“My son is as virile as I am,” Lorenzo scoffs loudly. “All the males in our family are.”
I hum thoughtfully. “Ah, but perhaps he prefers fucking men. Ever considered that he married me so I could be his beard?” As far as I know, Angelo isn’t into guys, but it doesn’t hurt to plant the seed of doubt in Lorenzo’s head. He’s old school, and homosexuality is a no-no in his warped world.
Personally, the thought of Kane and Angelo getting it on is a turn-on, but I doubt either of them would be into that.Shame. A mad giggle escapes just as Lorenzo snarls in anger.
Yep, he’s not happy at the idea of his precious heir loving dick.
“How dare you cast such aspersions on my son!” I wince as his angry yell triggers a headache. The bastard lunges at me.Whether to wring my neck or rape me is yet to be determined, but I’m not keen on finding out.
His fingers clasp my arm, and I scream as his nails sink into my flesh.
“You little bitch,” he snarls. “I should demand my money back from your stepmother. You’ve caused me nothing but trouble!”
“Too late for buyer’s remorse,” I cackle, punching him in the balls as adrenaline gives me faster reactions and a strength I don’t normally possess.
Lorenzo sags with a pained oomph, but doesn’t go down like I expect. Instead his fist swings out, catching my cheek.
The blow knocks me sideways. My head hits the edge of his desk, sending me to the floor. White-hot pain bursts through my skull, but I bite my lip and swallow it. Lorenzo doesn’t need to see me hurt. Bastards like him get off on hurting women.
I will not give him the satisfaction.
The cream envelope I spotted when I first walked in here tumbles to the floor, along with a few files and a pot of pens. Before I can overthink it, I quickly scrunch the envelope up in my fist while pretending to catch my breath.
“Angelo’s an adult and I’m his wife. You might not like the fact I haven’t popped out babies like a good little bitch, but there’s fuck-all you can do about it old man.” Lorenzo doesn’t like that.
He reaches down and collars my neck with his fist. For an old man going to seed, he’s surprisingly strong, and even though I struggle, I can’t escape his grip.
“There’s plenty I can do about it, you worthless whore.” Spittle rains down on me as he grins. “Your time is about to end.”
What the fuck is that supposed to mean? His ominous words rattle around my head as I fight for oxygen, but the room fades. I’m about to pass out.
With one last valiant effort, I reach for the fire poker resting next to the hearth.
Lorenzo’s eyes widen when he sees it arcing toward his bald head.
A fraction of a second before it cracks his skull open like an egg, the door bursts open.
34
Angelo
30 minutes previously
