CARMELA
Iglare out the window as the car speeds toward the reception venue, my blood boiling with barely contained rage. How dare Gio do this? How dare my own flesh and blood sell me off like some prized cow to the highest bidder?
I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want any of it. And yet here I am, trapped in a loveless marriage to a man I barely know, all because my bastard brother decided it was good forbusiness.
My hands clench into fists, nails digging into my palms. The pain is a welcome distraction from the suffocating reality closing in around me. I can still feel Silvo’s lips on mine, claiming me in front of everyone as if I’m now his property. The memory makes me want to scrub my mouth raw.
Beside me, the devil in question reaches over to place his hand on my thigh and I flinch away from his touch. “Don’t,” I hiss through gritted teeth, not even bothering to look at him.
“Carmela...” He starts, but I cut him off with a sharp shake of my head.
“I said don’t.” My voice is pure venom, each word dripping with barely restrained fury. “You don’t get to touch me. Not now, not ever.”
Silvo sighs and withdraws his hand. “This wasn’t my choice either, you know. I’m trying to make the best of a difficult situation.”
A harsh bark of laughter escapes my throat. “Well congratu-fucking-lations, you must be so proud of yourself.” I finally turn to face him, my eyes blazing. “Meanwhile, I’m being ripped away from everything and everyone I’ve ever known and loved. My home, my family, my friends... all gone. And for what? So you and your family can get a bit more power?”
Silvo at least has the decency to look somewhat ashamed. Good. He should be. They all should be.
I turn away again, blinking back the angry tears that threaten to spill down my cheeks. I refuse to let him see me cry. I refuse to let any one witness how much this hurts.
But god, it hurts so fucking much. The thought of leaving Los Angeles, of leaving Sophia and the only life I’ve ever known... it’s unbearable. This is my home. These are my people. And now I’m being forced to abandon it all and start over somewhere else with a stranger.
I can feel Silvo’s eyes boring into me, but I refuse to meet his gaze. The tension in the car is thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Carmela,” he says, his voice softer than I’ve ever heard it. “I understand that you’re upset. But this bratty behavior ends now.”
My head snaps toward him, eyes narrowing into slits. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” He leans in closer, invading my personal space. “I won’t tolerate tantrums or disrespect. Like it or not, we’re married now. That means you will show me the proper respect as your husband.”
I let out an incredulous laugh. “Respect? You want me to respect the man who helped rip me away from my entire life? Fat fucking chance.”
Silvo’s jaw clenches, but he doesn’t rise to the bait. “I know this isn’t ideal for either of us. But I’m trying to make this transition as smooth as possible for you. Fighting me every step of the way will only make it harder.”
“Oh, well, thank you so much for your consideration,” I bite out sarcastically. “How very noble of you.”
He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Carmela, please. Can we just… start over? I promise I’ll do everything in my power to help you adjust to your new life in Philadelphia. It won’t be easy, but we can make this work if we try.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “And what if I don’t want to try? What if I refuse to play along with this farce of a marriage?”
Silvo’s expression hardens. “Then you’ll leave me no choice but to take a firmer hand. I don’t want it to come to that, but I will if necessary. Don’t test me on this.”
I swallow hard; the thinly veiled threat makes my stomach churn. This man is dangerous; that much is clear. He may put on a charming front, but beneath that polished exterior lies a ruthless criminal who always gets what he wants.
And right now, what he wants is my obedience. My submission. He expects me to just shut up and play the dutiful wife, no matter how much it kills me inside.
Well, screw that. Screw him. I didn’t survive growing up in a mafia family by rolling over and letting men walk all over me. I have a mind of my own, and I’ll be damned if I let Silvo De Luca crush my spirit.
I meet his steely gaze head-on, lifting my chin in defiance. “Do your worst then. But know this, you can force me to marry you, but you can’t force me to respect you. Or desire you. You’ll never have my heart or my willing participation in this sham. I’ll fight you every step of the way.”
Silvo’s eyes flash with a dark and primal spark. “Willing participation? Oh, I think you’ll find I can make you very willing.”
His large hand suddenly grips my thigh hard, and I gasp at the contact, my heart hammering against my ribs. I try to jerk away, but his fingers only tighten, digging into my flesh through the fabric of my dress.
“I was trying to be a gentleman. Attempting to ease you into all of this.” His voice is a low rumble that resonates through my body. “But if it’s a fight you want, then it’s a fight you’ll get. Just remember, I have no qualms about conquering and claiming what’s mine. By any means necessary.”
Silvo’s hot and hungry gaze lingers on my heaving chest and parted lips. I feel stripped bare before him, completely at his mercy. A thrilling concoction of fear and anticipation unfurls deep in my core.
