Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 330(@200wpm)___ 264(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
“Vittorio said to tell you all your things were on their way to storage. He was kind of appalled at how little you had.” I almost winced, given my earlier bating of her, but it was honestly worth the fireworks now.
“I’m fully aware of how little I have, Mr. Luca,” she snapped. “Your brother pointed out the same thing to me earlier.” She turned to face me. “This isn’t going to work. I’m not sure why you thought it would, Dario, but I can’t do this.” She shook her head almost violently. “Please take me home.” The smallness of her voice tugged at my heart. Even though we both hit her with this intentionally, it was a low fucking blow.
"Well, princess," Gabriel said, stepping closer, "I'm afraid you're not going anywhere tonight. Big brother's orders." His smile was all teeth, but his eyes were calculating. "But if it makes you feel any better, I think you'll find our hospitality worth sticking around for."
She clenched her jaw, obviously fighting the urge to say something she thought she might regret. Instead, she took a deep breath. “I’m really sorry to have put you through so much trouble, Mr. Luca. But I really think it’s better for everyone if I take my chances on my own.”
"Hey, I'm just trying to lighten the mood." He flashed that disarming smile that charmed everyone from business associates to cocktail waitresses. "Belle, I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me. We're glad you're here, truly."
Belle crossed her arms over her chest, looking small but defiant. "Are you? Because from where I'm standing, it feels like I'm being mocked."
I tensed, ready to intervene, but Gabriel surprised me. His expression softened into something genuine, a rarity for him in unfamiliar company.
"Not mocking you, Belle. Testing you, maybe." He leaned against the car, his posture deliberately casual. "New people in our home is a rarity. No one gets in here unless we want them here. There are no casual visits to Villa Luca.”
“You’re an ass,” she said to Gabriel, then turned to me. “Both of you.” Sweet God above, she was magnificent. “You haven’t given me much choice, Dario, so I know I’m stuck here. But I will not be belittled because I’m not good enough for you.” Despite her bravado, one tear escaped and slid down her cheek. She didn’t acknowledge the drop. Just turned and marched up the stairs, assuming we’d follow her.
Gabriel met my gaze with a raised eyebrow. “This one might be the one.”
I shrugged, my gaze going back to Belle as she stomped up the stairs. “We’ll see, I guess.” I knew I was going to hell, but even knowing she was upset, I still stared at her ass for a long moment before I followed her.
Once we were inside, she stopped to look around. Despite how angry she was, Bell couldn’t keep the wonder out of her expression as she gazed around the foyer. Rather than acknowledge her reaction, I kept my smirk to myself. Pushing her once was enough. At least for now.
"This way," I said gently, directing her toward a corridor that led to the eastern wing of the house. This section contained the family's private quarters. My brothers' suites when they stayed over, my own rooms, and now, Belle's.
We continued down the corridor until we reached the suite I'd selected for her. It was adjacent to my own rooms with a connecting door. Separated enough for her comfort, but not nearly close enough for my peace of mind. I wanted Belle in my room. In my bed. And I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about this need inside me to keep her close. I opened the door, stepping back to allow her to enter first.
The suite consisted of a sitting room, bedroom, and private bath, decorated in soft blues and creams. The room had a view of the eastern gardens, which would be bathed in morning light.
Belle stepped inside slowly, her eyes moving from the comfortable armchair near the fireplace to the writing desk to the windows with their heavy curtains tied back to reveal the night sky. Her fingers trailed over the desk's surface, touched the petals of the peonies arranged in a crystal vase.
"This is..." she began, then swallowed, clearly overwhelmed.
"Your space," I finished for her. "For as long as you need it."
She turned to face me, her expression a complex mixture of gratitude, confusion, and lingering apprehension. "Why are you doing all this, Dario? The truth."
I set her bag down carefully, considering my answer. The truth was multifaceted, some aspects darker than others. How much could I reveal without frightening her? How much did I understand myself?
"Because you matter to me," I said finally. "Because I want you safe. Because having you here..." I gestured to the room, to the estate beyond. "It feels right."