This man will ruin me.
And if I’m not careful, I’ll let him.
7
Matteo
* * *
I have to hand it to her . . .
She’s gorgeous. Even more so now that she’s my wife. She’s a shiny new trinket to display on my mantel.
My property.
The desire to claim her pulses through my veins.
I do just that. I yank her toward me, seal my mouth over hers, and take the breath from her lungs.
She falls into it.
Pliant in my arms as I manipulate her into giving in.
Her small hands are on my chest, holding on to me for dear life. I allow myself to indulge for a few moments.
Until I hear my family cheering me on.
I had forgotten we had an audience. Now that I remember, I pull away and look down at her. Her eyes are closed, and her mouth is swollen from my abuse.
She has the look of a woman who’s been freshly fucked, and if I don’t get the hell out of here now, I’ll do just that, and I won’t even care about an audience.
“Let’s go, Princess.” My voice is cold, and her eyes jut open. The change in her demeanor is immediate. Her back straightens, and her eyes narrow at me.
“You are such an asshole,” she grits through clenched teeth. I can tell she is about to storm away, so I grab her by the elbow and steer her out of the room.
Once we are back in the hallway, I stop. I can’t have her being defiant in front of my family. Although I trust everyone in my line of work, you can never be too careful.
“We will eat dinner, and then we will talk,” I command. My voice is rougher than usual, but then again, I’m more worked up than I usually allow.
She looks stunned by me, which makes me smile. She scowls in return.
“You think it’s funny, you being a dick?” she hisses at me.
“Actually, I do. Now let’s go.” I continue to pull her until we are in the formal dining room. The table is set. Candles and flowers everywhere. It’s not over-the-top.
I lead Viviana to the head of the table, where two chairs are set up. I pat the back and then pull it out for her.
Silently, she sits.
I’m surprised by how quiet she’s being. But I guess there isn’t much to talk about right now. What can she possibly have to say?
She’s stuck.
There are no false illusions here. There was no other choice but to marry me.
I am her best option. She doesn’t see it now. But with my cousin, she would have died.
I have no intentions to have her killed, nor do I plan to kill her myself. However, that’s as far as this will go with her.
To me, she will always be my pawn. One I will push around my board to gather power.
I’m not that different from Salvatore.
We are both ruthless. But this is my kingdom.
I will do what I need to do to keep my position.
Even if that means using this girl until nothing is left.
Once she is seated, I take the spot beside her. Neither of us speaks as my family files into the room and sits in the empty chairs.
Lorenzo sits beside me on the opposite side of Viviana.
“Aren’t you a lovely bride?” He scans her with an appreciative gaze, wearing a lazy smile on his face.
“Thank . . . you.” She hesitates as if she’s unsure of his sincerity.
“She is, isn’t she? Quite the perfect princess.”
Her head turns toward me at that word, eyes narrowing. She hates when I call her that, but she must think better of whatever she is about to say because instead of speaking to me, she looks back at Lorenzo.
“No date for the wedding? I would think a handsome man like you would have had one.” Her eyes are soft and teasing when speaking with him, and my own harden at her tone.
“No time.” He shrugs.
“Yes, the tyrant didn’t give anyone room to plan.”
At her nickname for me, Lorenzo laughs. “Tyrant. I like that. Very fitting.”
“Don’t even think about it,” I advise him. “And don’t get too familiar, either.” There is no question of what I am speaking about. Viviana might be my wife now, but it’s in name only. There is no reason for him to speak to her. He nods at my comment and leans forward in his chair to look at me.
“When are you going to drop the bomb on them?” he asks as he lifts his filled glass to his mouth. The liquid sloshes over the edge. He’s probably been drinking all day for the celebration. I’m about to say something when, from the corner of my eye, I can see her stiffen. She’s listening and waiting to hear what I’m about to say.
“Tomorrow. Viviana and I are going to visit the in-laws.”