“Next month?” I press.
He remains silent and stoic, and his intentions slowly filter into my brain like snowflakes on a cold day, making me shiver.
I fold my arms. “Do you intend to keep me here forever? Locked away in this gilded prison? Because that’s it, right? I’m your prisoner now.”
He sighs out loud. “I’m sorry, Tesoro. It is for the best.”
When he turns around and walks off, I say, “You can’t do this.”
“Yes, I can, and I already have,” he replies.
When he waltzes out the door, I attempt to follow, buthis guards block my way.
“Let me through,” I demand, but they don’t listen to me. They only obey him.
“Keep her safe in this room. And lock the door. I don’t want any snooping around the house just yet.”
“No,” I yell, trying to make my way through them, but the door is slammed shut in my face.
The lock is put in place before I even have a chance to turn the handle, and I pound my fists against the door, screaming out loud.
“Let me out of here, goddammit. You can’t keep me in here. I’m not some kind of animal you can just lock away in a cage.”
But no one is listening, and after a while, I sink down to the floor as the tears begin to flow freely. Not only because of my freedom being stolen away from me, but also because I realize I might never see my mother again. And it’s all because of him.
Matteo
I stand in the hallway listening to her rage against the door, wondering if I did the right thing.
My absolute animosity toward Lucio blinded me, and I became consumed by revenge. I wanted to see him in ruins, and I knew the only way to do that would be by stealing theone thing he desired the most: this girl. He wanted her even though she didn’t want him, and if I took her away from him, it would make him want to jump off a fucking bridge. Of course, the fucker is too proud to even consider it. I just wanted him on the verge of screaming out in agony over losing the one thing he craved.
But after I’d slipped that ring around her finger and kissed her there on the altar, it slowly started to seep in that this woman I’ve made my wife on impulse has been ruined along with him.
I took her and made her mine, and now she’ll hate me forever.
I rub my forehead, sighing to myself.
What have I done? I’ve ruined that girl’s life, and for what?Petty revenge.
I shake my head. It’s too late now, too late to turn around, too late to undo what’s been done. That ring is around her finger. She’s my wife now, and I will not let her shake off that title, no matter what.
I waltz off and head downstairs toward my study so I can think in peace and quiet, alone. Every so often, I still hear the ruckus upstairs. She’s probably throwing around the furniture in her room in a blitz of fury, and honestly, I completely understand. I felt the same when my mother died because Lucio didn’t think twice when he raided one of her establishments and killed her in the process.
But fuck, I didn’t think things would get this complicated.
I grab some liquor and pour myself a much-needed scotch on the rocks. Then I sit down behind my desk for a break. I’m still in my suit, and she’s still wearing that beautiful wedding dress. Husband and wife, separated by impenetrable walls. So close yet it feels like we’re a million miles apart.
I never envisioned my marriage like this. Not in a million years.
What the fuck am I going to do with this girl? I don’t know her. I only know neither of us wanted this marriage, and it’s fucked up, for sure.
A knock on my door distracts me, and I put down my glass, then say, “Come in.”
Franco, my second in charge, steps inside and closes the door behind him. “How did she do?”
“Enough, considering the circumstances,” I reply. “I don’t want to talk about it. Tell me, where’s Lucio?”
“He and what was left of his men ran away like cowardly dogs with their tails between their legs.” He laughs. “It was a sight to behold. I have never seen a man cry and scream like that over losing a toy.”
