"Hello to you as well," Marzia mutters when she sees me enter. "Nice to see you."
I ignore her, addressing my father as I say, "She can't be going through our papers like that. You really trust her?"
"You're the one fucking her," Father replies lazily. "Maybe I should ask you the same question."
With a tell-tale flush in her cheeks, Marzia goes back to going through the papers without acknowledging our conversation.
"Just saying." I shrug. "Don't blame me when it all goes tits up because of something she did."
"I thought you cared about me," Marzia hisses, giving me a murderous look. "Why are you so convinced I'm still trying to fuck you over, cazzo?"
"Maybe because you just called me a prick?" I smirk. "Gotta watch that tongue, Marzia, dear. Don't want to lose it like your little maid."
"You told me she cut it out herself," she hisses.
"I fucking lied."
I did. Eleanora didn't cut out her tongue and neither did I, or one of my men. But that's for Marzia to find out later. I'm sure as fuck not going to feed her information that makes me seem weak. Maybe one day, Eleanora herself will tell her mistress the truth.
"Anyway, I just came to say I have to run an errand," I mutter. "I'll be away for two days."
I can see Marzia's shoulders fall with disappointment. Too bad, she doesn't know my little errand has nothing to do with my bride-to-be, and everything to do with her.
I'm going to a jeweler in the city to do something with Marzia's nonna's wedding bands. I have something special planned, something I'm going to do regardless of my marriage to Nicoletta.
Lately, I've started to accept I might have to go through with the marriage. But there's no one stopping me from divorcing the pretty blonde. Or maybe even slitting her throat, so I can replace her with the one I really want.
My eyes drink in Marzia as she hunches over the papers.
Father clicks his fingers to get my attention. "You're leaving?" he asks. "And what am I supposed to do with your women?"
I shrug. "Keep them alive?"
"If they don't claw each other's eyes out while you're gone, I'll call it a fucking miracle," Father mutters. "Fine, go. We'll see you soon."
Marzia looks tense, but I'm not leaving without saying goodbye to her.
Father mutters something and leaves the office, leaving the two of us alone.
I pull her to her feet, backing her up against the wall. She smells floral and sweet, and she shivers beneath my touch.
"Going to miss me?" I mutter in her ear.
She shakes her head,
I chuckle. "Sure, bambina. You keep lying to yourself."
"Goodbye, Adrian," she says.
Before she can add anything else, I capture her mouth in a punishing kiss, reminding her not to forget me for a second while I'm away.
As my driver pulls away from the Estate, I toy with the wedding bands on the golden chain. Soon, the memory of Marzia's nonna will be transformed into something more meaningful. As we drive, I can't help but think back to something that happened years ago.
Something that convinced me Vitto Donatti doesn't deserve mercy.
8 years ago
Coming down to the docks has become a habit of mine. I never see her again, but the habit remains, and each time I walk down the pier, I find myself hoping Marzia will be there. But she never is.
Luckily, I don't run into Donatti either. I don't have the energy to deal with Vitto's bullshit, especially not today.
After a long and tiring argument with Father, I need some privacy, and to catch a break while I wait for the anger deep inside me to stop simmering and die down.
I don't trust myself when I'm this angry, and I don't want to do something I know I'll regret when the red mist disappears.
Sitting on the edge of the pier, I take Marzia's wedding bands on the gold chain out of my pocket and thoughtfully weigh the necklace in my hands. It's so important to her, but in the end, it's just a memory of something that's now long gone. What matters, at least to me, are the possibilities.
I've already decided I'm going to own Marzia one day. She'll make a fine bride…obedient enough, but with a kick to her character that will keep me dedicated to her, and only her.
"What the fuck are you doing here, Bernardi?" someone snarls from behind me.
I turn to look over my shoulder, my stomach tensing when I see Vitto Donatti standing behind me.
"I thought I fucking told you, you're not welcome on my turf," he demands.
"It's the docks," I snap. "Hardly your turf."
"You and I both know my family controls everything that comes in and out of this port," Vitto snarls. "Including you. So get your fucking ass off my property."
"Or else what?" I smirk, getting up and pocketing the chain. "What? Is poor little rich boy going to call his papa to try and get me away from here?"