“Why would you want to keep anything from me? I’m your wife. In an ideal world, we shouldn’t have any secrets from each other.”
“You’re right,” he said. “But it’s also my job to shelter you. To keep you happy and safe.”
“I can’t be happy if you’re upset and hiding things.” She set her palms on his chest, then began unbuttoning his shirt. “I’m not breakable, Klaus.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I doubt that.”
He walked away from her, shrugging off his jacket and setting it on the back of the sofa. His shirt was mostly unbuttoned now, his muscular pecs and bronzed skin peeking through the open fabric.
“Look, I don’t even know if it’s reliable information.” He kept pacing. “Some things are better left alone.”
“Is it about the dinner, Klaus? If you don’t want to go, just spit it out. I won’t be mad or upset. I’ll understand.”
He shook his head. “Bella, it’s your father.”
“What did he do now?”
Klaus scoffed. “He put a hit out on my head. Seems your daddy wants me dead.”
She froze, a chill running down her body. Her father had forced her into this unorthodox marriage, claiming she’d never get a husband on her own. Now he wanted to murder the man she loved?
It didn’t completely surprise her after how Klaus humiliated him on their wedding night, but it still hurt. A small part of her heart hoped they could all reconcile and become a big, happy extended family one day. It was all a dream. Like chasing rainbows.
“Bella?”
She couldn’t speak. If she opened her mouth, the floodgates would begin to flow, and she’d promised Klaus she was strong enough to handle anything.
If she could just get a few minutes to compose herself, she’d be okay … but he wouldn’t allow it. He curled a finger under her chin, forcing her to make eye contact. She knew her eyes were already swimming with unshed tears.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Why did he have to be such a good man?
She cried into his chest. “I wish for him to be something he’s not. I’ve always wanted his love, but nothing I did was ever good enough.”
“Remember what I told you? It’s just you and me. We’ll make our own family, our own future.”
She nodded, still sobbing. “You’re right. I know that. It still hurts.”
“I wish I could take your pain,” Klaus said.
Then she leaned away, still holding the lapels of his shirt. “We won’t have anything if my father gets his way. I can’t lose you, Klaus.”
“Baby, this isn’t the first hit on my head. It won’t be the last.”
“My father’s different. He won’t stop until you’re dead.
As horrible as it sounded, she’d choose Klaus over her father. Did she want Klaus to kill him? It may be the only way.
“So much for peace,” said Klaus.
She could blame him, tell him none of this would have happened if he’d ignored her father and not pushed the limits. But her heart wouldn’t allow it. Klaus had been protecting her, and Klaus was right, her father had abused her most of her life.
“What will we do?”
“Move onward and upward. Let me handle this, okay?”
She kissed his bare chest. “Promise me you’ll never keep secrets again. Don’t assume I’m too fragile. I hate secrets.”
“Okay, but promise you’ll trust me, Bella. I know what I’m doing. I’m your husband now, and I’m not afraid of your father.”
She nodded.
Of course, he was capable. He was the mafia monster, after all. But once she started loving him, the worry set in. She’d grown up in one of the largest mafia families, so Isabella knew an open contract was not to be taken lightly. Every criminal in their network would be looking to cash out by taking Klaus down.
“Remember our first date? Remember the cannoli?”
She giggled. “How could I forget?”
“Well, at that moment, you forgot everything except raw pleasure—the cream and chocolate and pastry. We have to live for those moments, Bella.”
His hand cupped her ass, his lips trailing down her neck.
“I have a feeling you’re going to make me forget all my worries,” she murmured.
“That’s exactly right, my little bride.” He began pulling her shirt up. “Did you do as I said?”
“Yes, no panties.”
“Good girl.”
Isabella needed this, needed him. He was her drug of choice, and the things he could do to her body transported her somewhere else entirely.
Klaus pulled off her shirt, then snapped off her bra. He hoisted her up to sit on the kitchen counter. The cold granite chilled her bare thighs. Thighs he immediately pushed apart.
“I like this skirt,” he said. “It gives me easy access to my wife.”
“You sure you’re not too tired?”
He ignored her. “I need you, Bella. You’re my air, the only thing keeping me going.” He kissed her, their lips locking together. His tongue melded with hers, their passion growing by the second.