But not in this one, I think to myself. Message received. "I'll let you be then." I nod. "Sorry about the rehearsal dinner. I'll take care of everything."
"Thanks," she answers stiffly, heading for the door. Her hand pauses on the doorknob, and she turns to look at me one last time. "And I appreciate everything you've done for me, nevertheless. I know it's not easy for you either, this thing with Adrian. It must be devastating to watch the man you love getting ready to marry someone else."
As she leaves, the guard locks me in, as I realize just how right she is. The mental toll of watching Adrian with her has fucking destroyed me.
But I don't love him.
How could I love the man whose fault it is my entire family got slaughtered?
33
Adrian
It's the night of my rehearsal dinner. We're still a way off from the wedding, but Father wants everything to go perfectly the night of. He's not taking any risks. And as much as I'm dreading this event, I’m excited as Marzia will be taking Nicoletta's role.
My bride-to-be has retreated to her quarters with some mysterious illness I'm not privy too and Marzia has been thrust into wedding preparations, full-force. Since she has the same stature as Nicoletta, the seamstress is even making her try on all of Nicoletta's clothes, so she can make adjustments.
As I check out my reflection in the mirror in my room, I find myself nervous about the outcome of the night. I know I'm going to have to be careful to hide my true feelings for Marzia. At least, Gustavo won't be there. I have a feeling nothing would escape his watchful gaze, especially with Nicoletta not deigning us with her presence.
Straightening my tie, I smirk at my reflection. I look good and I fucking know it. Well, if Father is so intent on going through with this charade, I'm going to make the most of it. I'm going to have some fun while I do it, too.
The rehearsal party is in full swing by the time I come downstairs. I'm greeted and welcomed by business associates, ass-kissers and people who want something from me on my wedding day. It's hard to pay any of them the attention they so badly crave. I'm waiting for Marzia. My eyes are glued to the top of the stairs where she will soon appear, taking my fiancée's role.
And Marzia doesn't disappoint.
Half an hour after arriving at the party, I raise my eyes to the top of the stairs, and there she is, looking gorgeous as ever in a skintight white dress. The dress is long, tight, with a mermaid train. No sleeves, and clings to her curves in a way that makes my heart race and my cock tighten in my pants.
I want her. In fact, I've never wanted her more.
As I watch the rest of the people at the party watching her, drinking her in with hungry eyes, my hands tighten into fists. I fucking hate them looking at her, hate the way their eyes swallow her up as if she's some fucking treat for everyone to enjoy. The whispers follow next, people talking about her, noticing she isn't Nicoletta but instead, the heiress of the Da Costa family, whose fall from grace has been scandalous to say the least.
Most of these people didn't know my father wiped out the Da Costas, but they do now. While their eyes follow Marzia as she comes down the grand staircase, I can smell the scent of fear in the room. They know what we're capable of now, and they're very fucking afraid, which suits me just fucking fine. At least they know if they so much as lay a hand on my woman, I'm going to fucking kill them. Marzia is mine and every time I catch someone looking at her, the urge to rip out their throat awakens inside me.
I force myself to ignore the dark urge that makes me want to punish every man who looks at her. Instead, I wait for Marzia to join me, quietly admiring her as she stands by me.
"You like the dress?" she asks in a low, throaty whisper. "Do you think I look better in it than Nicoletta would?"
"You sure know how to ask a loaded question." I grin at her. "You know you look good, don't humiliate yourself by asking for my fucking opinion, Marzia."
She laughs.
The sound is like music to my ears. It's been a long time since I've heard her laugh like that. And as much as I want to hurt her, seeing her happy fills me with something warm, a feeling I'm not exactly used to.
"So what do I have to do tonight?" Marzia wonders.
"All eyes are on you," I remind her. "So make sure you're on your best behavior. As far as what you have to do... Keep the guests entertained and distracted."