Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“There is more than enough time, and we will carry out this plan,” he assures me, then finally turns to look at me. Those dark eyes holding me hostage, and I know if anyone were to see us right now, they’d be able to tell how much I love this man. “Ignacio is concerned. I’m sure he’ll want to spend as much time with you as possible over the coming days,” he says then, and my stomach lurches. “You need to play the role, Lia.”
There’s a bite in his tone, but I can’t blame him. I don’t say what I want to: he’s nothing more than a problem we will soon get rid of, and I want to be the one to do it.
Instead, I glance down the hallway to make sure we’re alone, then take one small step closer. “He’ll be more vigilant for the next two days. He wants us to… get acquainted, but there are limitations to what he can do before the wedding.”
Nico’s jaw tightens. He knows what I mean, and that’s the only saving grace. Ignacio will wait till our wedding night to want sex. It’s tradition, and one thing I know about these men, they’re strict when it comes to the rules.
“I’ll stay close,” he says. “Keep an eye on you and if you need me…”
I look up at him, my voice barely audible. “And after that?”
He pauses. “After that, I have something in motion. But I’ll need your help.”
I swallow. “Tell me what to do.”
His eyes soften just enough to make my knees feel weak. “You sure?”
“No one has ever held my heart the way you do. I’m not walking away from you, and I’m not going to lose you.” For a moment, we’re alone, finally, and I rest my hand on his chest. “I’ll do anything for you.”
He closes the distance, just enough for his fingers to brush mine. “You don’t owe me anything, Lia. But I need to save you, keep you alive.”
“I don’t need saving,” I whisper.
“I know,” he says softly. “But I still want to try.”
In the light, I’m someone’s bride.
In the dark, I’m his.
The next day, I’m woken by a knock on the door and ordered to be downstairs in thirty minutes. I know what this entails. My fiancé wants to play happy families. I’ve been hidden away since I arrived, but now that the wedding is close, it’s time for him to parade me around.
Ignacio is waiting on the patio when I get downstairs. “My bride,” he says in a dark tone that is meant to appear happy, but there is a threat twisted around every word. “I insist on walking the gardens with you today. There is a photographer here to take some candid shots of us.”
I nod and smile. “Of course.” Demure, shy, and complacent, just how he wants me.
“Tell me, my bride,” he says as we walk side by side through the gardens. I can hear the click of the camera as we do, and all I want is for the ground to swallow me whole. “What is it you’d want to do with your life once you’re married?”
“I haven’t thought about a future in Italy. I mean, I would love to study, to further my education.” It’s true. The only honest thing I can give him.
“You’ll be able to do anything you want here. I have control over the city, and they’ll gladly offer you space at the university.”
As we walk farther, I answer his questions about favorite wines and favorite colors and how many children I’d like someday. He talks like we’re already married.
“I think once you bear a son, we can try for a daughter. I’m sure you’d enjoy dressing her up and taking her shopping while I work.” Ignacio’s voice is light, nothing like the tone he used with me when we were in the room. But as he continues, it feels like he’s at a restaurant and he’s placing an order.
I don’t scream. I don’t run. Even though I want to, every bone in my body is telling me to escape.
I’ve learned how to float above my body like a ghost.
But when he touches the small of my back, I flinch—and his eyes sharpen.
“Still shy?” he says, amused.
I force a fake laugh. “Just not used to attention.”
“I find that hard to believe.” He tips his head to the side and regards me. “I do enjoy role playing.”
Bile rises from my gut, burning its way to my throat.
“We can play some delicious games when we’re alone. My men will understand.” Then he leans in and whispers, “You can fight all you want, but I’ll know you crave it.”
I fight the puke that’s slowly making its way into my mouth, but then I’m saved by the subtle shift of shadows at the garden edge. Nico. Pacing slow. Pretending to check the perimeter. But I feel his stare like a flame on my skin.