I won’t be stupid enough to think he’ll be mine too. Like Dad, he’ll have his women. I already know he’ll be just like that. Just from the way he looks. I never wanted my life to turn out like this. When I married, I always hoped it would be for love. That I’d fall in love. This is complete shit.
The bedroom door handle turns, and I nearly jump out of my skin. The door creaks open, and I see him.
He’s here.
Massimo stands in the doorframe looking me over. He seems taller, and the longer he stares at me, the more intense those piercing blue eyes seem against his olive skin. My breath hitches in my throat and my heart races.
Terrified, I
push to my feet as he walks in and closes the door behind him.
I find myself wanting to look away, but at the same time his striking appearance commands my attention and rivets my gaze to him, making it difficult for me to focus. I think I’d find this easier if he weren’t so ridiculously gorgeous. He’s the kind of man who you would naturally stare at.
I’m paralyzed under the weight of his stare, and the anticipation of what he’s going to do makes me want to run. Run far away and never look back.
He gets closer but stops a few paces away, still towering over me. The scent of his aftershave fills my nose. I grit my teeth.
“There’s a bed for you to lie on. You don’t have to take to the floor,” he says, breaking the silence.
Unsure of what to say, I decide not to answer.
“Unless you like the floor,” he adds. His voice deepens as it drops, and my nerves scatter when he looks me over from head to toe, assessing me.
He’s about six foot four, while I’m five two. He feels like a giant next to me.
“This isn’t right,” I rasp. My voice sounds weak and weary, foreign to my ears. I don’t sound like the strong woman my mother raised me to be. I don’t sound like the woman I was earlier this morning when I woke and told myself I was going to conquer the world and be the best version of myself I could be.
“What?” The corners of his lips turn up into a smooth smile, revealing perfect white teeth.
Of course, his smile is also beautiful and disarming. Maybe that’s what he uses to intimidate people.
“You can’t do this. You can’t have me,” I answer, trying to steady my heart so it doesn’t leap out of my chest.
“The piece of paper we signed earlier says different, Princesca.”
Princesca…
If he means that word in relation to me being a spoilt brat, he’s wrong. I’m not that. I never have been. Yes, I may have never wanted for anything in my life, but that doesn’t mean I was given everything just because I wanted it.
“You don’t know me,” I retort.
“I don’t need to.”
“You’re right, you don’t need to know me to know this is wrong. There must be some other way my father can pay you back. Let me go.” I’m proud of myself for the little speech, but the pride fades when a deep chuckle rumbles within the walls of his hard chest.
“I’m the one the debt is owed. I choose how I want to be paid. I choose what I want to take.”
“So, you picked me?” I give him an incredulous glare. “Why the hell would you pick me?”
As soon as the words fall from my lips, I feel completely stupid. I’m my father’s heir, and I get the Balesteri family inheritance when I turn twenty-one. My inheritance alone is worth several million. That contract stipulated Massimo would get everything.
“My dear Princesca, you really are living in the dark.” He smirks, revealing the dimple in his left cheek.
“There must be some other way.”
“I’m sure there is, except I’ve done exactly what I wanted to do,” he answers. My heart squeezes. It feels like a rug has been pulled from beneath me. This is the man I’m supposed to marry. While he looks like a fairytale prince, he’s not.
My lips part, but I’m at a loss for words.