I wrap my fingers around the slinky golden chain. Its light weight feels important in my hands. It's the only thing I have of my grandmother's, my mama kept all her jewelry. God only knows what the Bernardis have done with it. "Thank you," I mutter despite wanting to continue arguing with Adrian. "I missed having it."
"Marzia, I'm sorry you feel so alone," Adrian goes on.
This surprises me. "Oh, now you've suddenly grown a heart?"
"Would you stop being such a little brat?"
"Hmm, let's see." I tap my finger against my chin. "You killed my parents. Tried to kill my brother and fiancé. Then you kidnapped me and now, you haven't let me eat for three days. What reason do I have not to be a brat, Adrian?"
"If you knew what was good for you, you'd learn to obey."
"I don't obey," I hiss in response. "Especially, not those I hate, stronzo." I pocket the golden chain and glare at him. I wish my heart didn't race as much as it does when Adrian is around. It makes me feel so damn weak. I don't want to be weak. I want to be strong, like my nonna was.
Adrian starts to leave, but something compels me to call out after him. His name rings out in the room, reminding me I'm under his control now. Only his mercy will decide my fate. "You have to let me speak to someone," I say. "Or touch someone... laugh with someone, even cry. I'm starved and it isn't for food."
"You're starved for human contact?" he asks me, hands in his pockets as he coolly regards me with his piercing gaze.
"Yes." I nod eagerly.
"You'd talk to anyone? Let anyone touch you?"
"No—no, well, I..."
"You're so desperate you'd even accept my touch?" he goes on.
Even though a few feet separate us, I feel a frisson of excitement as goosebumps erupt over my skin. It's like he's already touching me. "No, I wouldn't."
"I think you would." He smirks at me, pulling one hand out of his pocket and running it through his dark blonde hair. "Come to me, Marzia."
I shake my head wordlessly, but he stomps his foot on the ground so hard I nearly jump out of my own skin.
"Fucking now!"
I walk closer, the steps painfully slow and tiny, until I'm standing in front of him.
"If you're so fucking desperate," he mocks me. "Maybe you should try asking for what you want."
"I'm not going to beg for anything."
"Suit yourself." He shrugs, turning around.
"Wait!"
"Yes?"
His self-righteous smirk makes me so very angry. "Please. I want someone to talk to."
"The only person you can have is me."
My lips purse. I don't want to talk to him at all. I just have to ignore my entire being screaming, begging, yelling for more of Adrian Bernardi's attention. "I'm not asking."
"You want me to go?"
I fight the urge to stomp and scream. I want to throw a fucking tantrum. "No, I don't want you to go."
"Then ask nicely for more."
"Please, Adrian," I get out through gritted teeth. "I'd like more company. Please."
"And what else?"
"Nothing," I mutter.
"Really?" He smirks, taking a step closer and pushing the hair off my chest, so it falls down my back. "I don't think that's true. Are you lying to me again, Marzia?"
I feel ridiculously exposed in the overly tight dress he picked out for me to wear. "No."
"Prove it then."
"How?"
He grins. "Kiss me. Prove that it means nothing to you."
"You're crazy," I scoff at him. "I'd never kiss you willingly."
"But unwillingly?" He laughs before grabbing me by the waist and pulling me in close. "Unwillingly, I can make you do it all, just for me."
His lips press down on mine.
15
Adrian
At first, Marzia doesn't respond to my kiss. But the longer I keep my mouth on hers, the more she leans into me until I'm fully supporting her weight.
"You can't resist me," I mutter against her mouth. "You will stop running from me soon enough, bambina."
"Never," she breathes as I pull back. Then, her little hands find their way to my cheeks and she pulls me back in. "I'll never stop running." She kisses me this time, clumsy but determined to make my cock hard between my legs.
I'm already fighting the irresistible urge to throw her on her back and have my way with her and if she keeps taunting me like this, I won't be able to last long. Already, my painfully aware cock is hardening against my leg.
I kiss her back, exploring her mouth with my tongue in a way that's almost vulgar. I don't care. Marzia Da Costa was meant for me and no one else. Vitto Donatti can go fuck himself, because I'm never letting him have her. I hope to ruin her enough by the time he resurfaces, he won't even want Marzia anymore. I'm going to make every inch of her mine. I'll make every bone in her body give in to me, every cell screaming to be dominated by me. It doesn't matter what Marzia thinks she wants. I know she wants… no, needs me. And I'm willing to force her to accept that if she won't deal with the knowledge herself.