“I don’t care,” she shot back, voice shaking but loud. “You are one. Nobody will believe your fake, made-up stories about me.”
I laughed. God, she was entertaining.
“You think it matters?” I asked. “You are Ventura. I am Moretti. I rank over you.”
“And?” she demanded.
“And,” I smiled. “That means I fuckingownyou.”
Her expression faltered for half a second. And there it was again, that crack.
“That’s the part you don’t understand yet,” I continued, straightening. “Truth isn’t what decides your life anymore.Ido.”
Chiara’s face went pale.
“I hate you,” she whispered. “If you force me to marry you, I will spend the rest of my life listing every reason why.”
“You won’t be the only one,” I said. “A lot of people hate me. A lot of women, too. They still end up in my bed.”
I tipped her chin back with my fingers, ignoring the sparks flying between us. “Just like you will.”
A small sound broke the tension. Soft. Curious. I glanced toward the door. A little kid was poking her head through the door. She hovered, clutching the edge of the doorframe, wide dark eyes fixed on me like I was something out of a scary story.
Not fear. Fascination.
I crouched slightly, lowering myself to her level without breaking eye contact.
“Well,” I said, voice shifting, lighter now, almost amused. “And who’s this?”
“No,” Chiara snapped, stepping between us. “Don’ttalk to her.”
I raised a brow. That only made me more interested.
“Sienna,” the girl said before Chiara could stop her, her voice small but steady. “That’s my name. Chiara’s my big sister and she is the best at doing my braids.”
“Sienna,” I repeated, tasting it. “Pretty name and pretty braids,signorina.”
She brightened. Chiara grabbed her arm. “Go back to your room.”
“I don’t want to,” Sienna protested, peeking around her. “He’s not scary like you said. Are you really the scary man from our stories? Do you really have a big snake pit? You’re too handsome to be evil.”
I laughed under my breath. “Oh, I like her.”
“You’re not goingnearher,” Chiara said, her voice low now. I stood slowly, towering over both of them.
“I’m already near her,” I pointed out mildly.
Sienna tugged free just enough to look up at me again. “Are you really The Serpent?”
Chiara went rigid. “Sienna, stop.”
“Yes,” I said simply. The girl’s eyes widened. Unexpectedly, she smiled.
“Cool. Do you have a snake, then?” she asked.
I blinked once. Then laughed. Actually laughed this time. Chiara stared at her little sister like she’d lost her mind.
“He’s not cool. He’s a thief, and a liar,” she hissed. “He wants to separate us.”
