Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
To save my mother after she falls dangerously ill, I’m forced into a marriage with Lucio Agostini, a corrupt and malicious Mafia lord set on making me his bride. Lucio’s only interest is to acquire my estranged father’s wealth, and I have no choice if I want my mother to live.
But Lucio’s plans to marry me are thwarted when a rival Mafia family crashes our wedding right before we exchange vows.
My hand in marriage is stolen, and the ring is put around my finger by none other than Matteo De Silva, sworn enemy of Lucio Agostini. He’s callous, headstrong, and dangerous.
In a stubborn quest to avenge his mother, he snatches me at my wedding to use me as a pawn in a devious game. He whisks me away to his mansion, which is nothing more than a luxurious prison for his newlywed wife.
His obsession with destroying Lucio is all that matters to him, even if it costs me my freedom. But I refuse to become collateral. Underneath all that rugged bravado is a wounded man who longs for affection, and I will use his attraction to me against him.
However, my past is laced in despair, and my secrets consume me from the inside out. When everything feels lost, Matteo’s arms offer solace, and his touch calms my mind and sets my senses ablaze. His wicked charms slowly creep their way into my heart until it’s no longer possible for me to deny the growing passion between us.
We both want what the other isn’t willing to give.
A sinful, dirty fight for control is all that’s left.
The only question is … how far are we willing to go?
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
PLAYLIST
“Muddy Waters” by LP
“Lost In The Fire” by Gesaffelstein & The Weeknd
“Panic Room” by AU/RA
“Dice And Roll” Odetari (Slowed & Reverb)
“Яд” by Erika Lundmoen (Sped up & Reverb) (Also known as “Yad”)
“I Was Never There” by The Weeknd (Slowed & Reverb)
“The Beginning Of The End” by Klergy & Valerie Broussard
“Mateo” by Tove Lo
“All I Need” by Lloyd (Slowed & Reverb)
DEDICATION
For the book girls who swoon over “WHERE IS MY WIFE?!”
and “WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!”
…You’re gonna love this one.
MATTEO
My fingers play with the cold metal of the gun in my pocket while I stare at the men coming into the room.
Finally, those wretched men from the Agostini family decided to join me.
I’ve never dealt with more disgusting filth than them, but my business with them is still unfinished, and I would rather die than let them win.
They scan the room, probably to find cameras or hidden microphones, but I don’t play those kinds of games. They might think I’m a rat, but it only adds insult to injury.
I clear my throat. “Sit.”
The men stop abruptly and look at me, just from my command.
They know not to taunt me.
Finally, they grab two chairs, pull them back, and sit down in front of me.
This private room at Club Triton is perfect for handling all our business. I pay the owners a large sum of money to keep it quiet and make sure no one comes snooping. The owner of this place knows the type of underground things happening at his clubs—the drugs and the guns that I deal in—but he doesn’t care as long as I pay well. And I do pay very fucking well.
I pick up my glass and take a sip of my bourbon, still staring those nitwits down. They’re merely the henchmen of the man I’m really looking for, and I’m pissed that he sent them in his stead.
“Where is he?” I ask.
“Uh, he’s on his way, sir.”
My nostrils flare. Of course, Lucio is late. He knows my business is only with him, and he’s stalling.
He thinks he can play with me after what he did?
I lunge across the table and grab the guy who spoke by the shirt. “You tell that fucker to come in here right now, or I swear to God I will put a bullet in your puny brain.”
Their eyes flutter to my pants, and the pocket in which I keep my gun. They know I’m not fucking playing around. I’m ready to lay waste to everything they hold dear. The Agostinis owe me everything.
The one on the right grabs his phone and dials Lucio’s number, so I let go of his friend and shove him back into his seat.
When Lucio finally picks up, he yells, “What?”
“Did you forget our deal?” My growl booms through the room.
“I’m coming, don’t fucking sweat it.”
“You have one minute, or I’ll put a bullet in both of your men.” I pick up my glass, and I waltz out the door, slamming it shut behind me.
Those two can stay there for all I care. I will be there when Lucio finally grows the balls to show up. He knows better than to taunt the beast.
I walk to the balcony at the far end of the club and look out at the city beyond while I take another sip of my bourbon. The peace and quiet here is a breath of fresh air, calming my roaring heart.
I don’t want to deal with those assholes, but killing them now would do nothing.
It wouldn’t solve my rage, it wouldn’t take away the fucking pain, and I want Lucio to suffer for what he did.
I nearly crush the glass in my hand.
Suddenly, a girl waltzes out of the dance floor and onto the balcony, sniffing loudly. In a fit of rage, she rips an expensive pearl necklace off her neck and chucks it over the balcony while screaming out loud.
Her blond hair flutters in the wind, gorgeous blue eyes clashing with mine, and my God, I am fucking obsessed already.
She stares at me in shock, almost as if she didn’t even realize I was here until it was too late.
What would possess her to throw the necklace? A necklace like that must have been expensive as hell.
“What are you looking at?” she barks.
A smile tugs at my lips.
Spicy … I like it.
But she doesn’t know who she’s talking to.
“Just admiring your rage,” I respond.
She sucks in a breath. “Oh.”
She sounds surprised.
I swirl my glass around and take another sip, while she stares out across the city with me.
“Is there a particular reason you threw those? I’d love to hear it.”
“It means nothing to me. It’s just a goddamn necklace,” she replies, hatred seeping into her voice.
My brow rises. “The man who gave it to you was not a man worthy of your attention.”