I’m baffled, but I nod quickly. His glare is enough for me to rush to respond, “I understand.”
“Good. Next rule. Did you notice the blonde maid who served us tonight?”
“Yes.”
“Her name is Aida. From now on, the only food you eat in this house will come directly from her. You don’t touch anything else.”
What does that even mean? He talks like someone’s trying to kill me.
“Am I…in danger?”
“Not if you obey. No leaving without my say. No talking about us. No getting cozy with staff.”
He takes another slow sip from his glass, then extends the hand holding it, bringing it inches from my face as he threatens me.
“Break them, Lucia, and you’ll regret it. As my wife, I expect obedience. Full compliance.”
Wife.
The word makes me laugh inside. I’m not a wife, I’m a sheep in his herd, kept here to eat, sleep, and eventually breed. That’s all I am here.
“Don’t worry. I’ll remember,” I say quietly.
That pulls a smirk out of him.
“I’m not worried.Youshould be. Something goes wrong, and you’re the one who pays for it.”
Of course, I’ll pay. I’ve been paying it my entire life; the cost of being born a woman in this world of crime.
He finishes the rest of his drink and places the empty glass on the table. Then he shifts, draping one arm over the back of the loveseat as he leans toward me. The sheer force of his presence gets to me, making my neck tense.
“As for other matters, I’m not expecting you to fulfill your wifely duties just yet.” His voice is almost casual now.
I stare at him blankly. His dark eyes gleam with amusement as he makes it clear.
“I’m not fucking you yet.”
My cheeks burn, and I drop my gaze immediately.
My reaction makes him chuckle. “I’ll come to you when it’s time.”
A faint ray of hope stirs within me. It seems he doesn’t want to touch me anytime soon. The reason isn’t important to me. I don’t even care if he finds me unattractive. Every day he delays is another day I get to breathe.
“Don’t you want to know why?” His voice carries a teasing edge, the kind that thrives on making me squirm.
“No, sir.”
“Don’t call me ‘sir.’ Use my name. I don’t want anyone prying into our relationship.”
I nod quickly. “I won’t tell anyone anything.”
“You better do that.”
He glances around the room, as though inspecting it, before coolly announcing, “That’s all.”
“Can I ask you for something?” I rush out before he can stand.
He lifts his chin and waits.
