"I understand your concerns," Maksim says, his tone softening, although I see it’s an act. "But when we're married, I'll need to…"
"That's different," I interrupt, meeting his gaze with false vulnerability. "We'll be husband and wife. You won't be violating me then… will you?"
I let fear seep into my question although it’s not entirely feigned. The thought of his hands on me makes bile rise in my throat.
A flash of something dark and possessive flashes in Maksim’s face, but he quickly masks it with a gentle smile. "Of course not, my dove. I'll cherish you."
It’s a lie. He'll own me, control me, break me. And we both know it.
I nod shakily, as though mollified by his assurance.
"We'll proceed with the wedding as planned," Maksim declares. "But understand this, no one can ever know about this indiscretion."
Alessandro nods. "Agreed. As far as anyone is concerned, Valentina comes to you untouched."
"And this Cristian," Maksim continues, his eyes sliding to me with cold calculation, "he's truly gone?"
"Permanently," Alessandro confirms.
"Then we have a deal," Maksim says, extending his hand to Alessandro.
And once again, I’m trapped.
As they shake on their new accord, I catch the flash in Maksim's eyes.
It’s a predatory gleam that unsettles me even more.
It occurs to me that he’s agreeing too easily.
This man who erupted in rage minutes ago now accepts damaged goods without protest?
He has no proof I’m not pregnant, yet he's moving forward anyway.
Why?
What is he after?
32
CRISTIAN
I stand beside Luca in the abandoned warehouse, my gun at my side.
The room is quiet except for the whimpering of the man kneeling before us.
"This is Vito," Luca says calmly, as if introducing an old friend at dinner. "He's decided it was okay to help himself to some of my inventory."
I study the trembling man. His face is already bloody from Luca's men who worked him over good before we arrived.
“As if that wasn’t enough, he shared family business with the Dominis. Information that took away my advantage in my negotiations with them.”
I don’t respond, but inside I’m thinking Vito is one dumb fuck.
"I require loyalty above all," Luca continues, his voice carrying a similar eerie calm I've seen in Alessandro, that I remember seeing in Lorenzo. It must be a Dante trait. "I need to know you understand this."
He’s speaking to me, and I understand that this is my initiation. I step forward, raising the gun. The man begs through split lips, eyes wild with fear.
I pull the trigger, killing for the family I'm now bound to protect.
