Costantino

13 - I Warned You

"Lula."

"Lula."

"Lula!"

Finally I heard a soft meow bringing a smile to my lips. A few seconds later she shuffled out from underneath the couch in the main living room of the Accardi villa.

"You've been hiding from me?" I pouted my lips, dropping down next to her on the floor.

"Is it because Costa is gone?" I stroked her fur, watching her come in closer to my legs.

She always seems to go quiet when Costa is gone for too long. She's extremely attached to him but not so much to the rest of his family.

I don't blame her - they're not the bestest friends to have.

"You know, he's really not that great." She instantly stepped back, releasing a sharp meow. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry. He's nice to you, I get it."

I didn't get it.

Costa's a dick.

But I can't upset Lula. She's my friend.

"This situation is so weird, Lu. You like me and him, but we hate each other. You think this is what it will be like when we have a baby?" I frowned. I can't imagine the day Costa and I decide it's time to have a child.

We don't speak at all.

He'd probably call me into his office and present a formal contract detailing everything about the baby making process.

How awkward.

"What shall we do for the rest of the day, Lula?" Her response was exactly what I'd hoped - she snuggled into my lap, resting her face on her front paws. "That's exactly what I was thinking too." I grinned.

This is why we're friends.

After a few minutes of stroking her fur, I lifted her up into my arms. We decided to go and watch a movie in the cinema room.

Lula's favourites are always horror movies or thrillers.

She loved them.

First, we went to the kitchen to get a bottle of wine for me and we got Lula one of her favourite snack pouches. The popcorn was already in the cinema room. Then we headed down to the cinema room in the east wing.

"Say something."

"I...I don't know what you want me to say."

The two voices had me slowing to a stop in the hallway as we approached the cinema room. Since I was carrying our things, Lula was walking calmly alongside me. Her ears perked up at the conversation we'd stumbled upon.

"I just told you how I feel. You have nothing to say?" It was one of the twins speaking, but I wasn't sure which one.

I hadn't had much contact with them since the water balloon they dropped on me during my first morning at this house.

"I..."

"Bianca? Wait, no. Bianca!" He called after her when the door suddenly opened and a teenage girl came running out.

Lula meowed, flinching at the sight of the girl rushing past us. She was fast, but I managed to catch a glimpse of her startled expression. Her blue eyes met mine only fleetingly before she rushed down the hallway and out of sight.

A groan coming from the cinema room caught my attention as I rounded the corner, stopping in the doorway.

Aidan was leaning against the wall by the door with his eyes closed. However, the few steps I took quickly alerted him to my presence. His eyes snapped open, revealing his familiar green orbs.

"What the hell are you doing here?" His voice was much colder with me than it was with that girl only a few moments ago.

"We were coming to watch a movie." I nodded down at Lula on the floor and the wine I was carrying.

"Go somewhere else." He muttered. He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes again. His entire demeanour was rigid and he swallowed harshly causing his Adam's apple to bob.

"Who was that girl?"

"I told you to leave." He refused to open his eyes when he replied.

"I don't answer to you, Aidan." I snapped and he finally opened his eyes again.

Surprisingly, he didn't argue back with me even when my tone became harsher.

He only released a sigh, pushing himself up off the wall.

Aidan was about to make a move to leave when I spoke again. "Did you tell her you like her?"

"No." He snapped back almost instinctively, but then changed his answer with a defeated nod. "Yeah."

"Then you should go after her."

"She left, Millie. Why would I go after her?"

"Because that's what she wants. She probably panicked and ran. But, if you're serious about how you feel then she'll be expecting you to follow her." I shrugged, heading over to one of the leather couches with Lula following.

"Really?" He frowned, glancing at the door she ran through.

"You better go before she leaves." That's all it took for him to go running out of the cinema room and down the hallway.

After I put Lula on the couch next to me, we ran through a bunch of movie options on Netflix.

Lula is really fussy so it took longer than expected.

"We watched that last time, Lula." I sighed.

Did she listen? No.

The cat meowed again, her eyes focused on the picture of the scary woman from Insidious.

"Okay, how about Insidious Chapter 2?" She thought about my suggestion, carefully analysing the image on the screen. Then she released a soft purr, getting comfortable on the leather couch.

"You better not get scared, Lula." I gave her a warning look but she just stared back with a blank expression. "I know you've seen worse in real life while living with Costa, but that scary bitch from the Further startled you last time."

I think she agreed deep down but she tried to hide it. She might have been a little ashamed at how bad she reacted when the scary bitch popped up last time.

She jumped off the couch to hide.

Once I hit play, I decided to feed Lula her purée pouch first. Her eyes keenly followed the movements on the screen while she licked away at the purée.

I was just about to get started on my popcorn when the door opened. Lula hissed at Aidan when he edged into the room forcing me to pause the movie.

"You okay?" I frowned, taking in his rosy cheeks and dazed expression.

"I...- she-...she kissed me." He forced out the words, his expression lighting up.

"That's great." Despite everything the twins had done, my smile was genuine for him. They were only teenagers, after all. I was glad to see him happy.

"How did you know that she wanted me to go after her?"

"Well, I happen to be a girl so I know how girls think. Plus, if she didn't like you she would have just told you. The fact she ran away without giving you an answer suggested she was shy." I shrugged, shoving a handful of popcorn in my mouth.

"Oh. Well, thank you." He muttered, scratching the back of his neck.

"You're welcome."

"What do I do next?" He seemed hesitant to even ask and then he quickly continued. "It's just, Costa and Tristano aren't here for me to ask them and I don't really trust Gio when it comes to girls. He's got no idea."

Well, personally, I don't really know why he'd even want to ask Costa. Perhaps it was his reputation as a man-whore that made Aidan think he has a way with women.

"Well, what did you say to her just now?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?" I frowned. "But you went out there and-"

"And she kissed me."

"She just kissed you? Without saying anything?" He nodded. "And then she left happily?"

He nodded again, slower this time - like he was confused by my question.

"Damn. That must have been some kiss." I muttered causing him to smile. "I think you should ask her on a date. She knows how you feel and she kissed you so it's safe to assume she'll say yes."

"When I come up with a plan...could you listen to it? Just briefly. You're the only girl in this house so your opinion is important."

"Sure. But you know Nadia lives here, right?" I frowned, referring to Costa's stepmother.

"You're the only girl in this house who I don't hate." He clarified.

"I thought you did hate me?" I laughed.

It was easy to laugh now that I'd spent three months processing the entire wedding and marriage to Costa. But at the start, I was definitely traumatised by my arrival in a house where everyone automatically hated me.

"Well, I did. But I guess you're growing on me. You helped me kiss Bianca, after all. You're at least my seventh favourite person in the house now." He grinned and I smiled back even though that put me at second to last place before Nadia.

An awkward silence fell around us until he found the words to break it.

"What are you watching?" He shifted his attention to the paused movie on Netflix.

"Lula's favourite." The little grey cat looked up when I mentioned her name.

"Lula likes Insidious?" He frowned, now eyeing Lula. "Why am I not surprised?"

She clearly gathered he was making a dig at her because she viciously hissed back at him.

"Why do you even like her?" He was busy glaring at Lula who was now back to relaxing next to me.

"She's my friend." I smiled, stroking her fur. It's not like I had anyone else to talk to in the house - not that I was going to say that to him and make it even more awkward than it already was.

"Lula only likes Costa, everyone knows that." As soon as he mentioned Costa she purred automatically. Aidan's lips twitched at the sight.

He loves her really.

"Do you want to watch with us, Aidan?"

>>>>>>>

"That shit is creepy." Aidan muttered next to me, biting his Twizzler.

"Shhh." I definitely sounded like one of those Karens at the cinema.

"Why?" He turned to give me a weird look. "You've been talking all this time too."

"I don't know. I feel like Lula would have shushed you if she could so I'm doing it for her." I shrugged, sipping on my third glass of wine.

"Uh, maybe you should slow down on the wine." Aidan showed unnecessary concern for me and my wine.

We were good. Absolutely great, in fact.

"Why would I slow down when I'm enjoying it?"

He's a strange boy.

"Because you're-...you know what? Never mind. Carry on." He relaxed back into the couch, waving dismissively at the bottle of wine.

"Thank you. So anyway, back to the story. You said you were trying to tell them you weren't intruders but they wouldn't listen?" I shoved more popcorn into my mouth, sparing a quick glance at the movie still playing in the background.

"Oh, yeah. So after Tristano's gun jammed, Rocco was trying to shoot but it was dark so he kept missing - obviously or we'd be dead. He ended up smashing all the windows in the entry hall."

"I always knew he was stupid." I shook my head. What an idiot.

"Yeah. Then Costa turned up with his gun and he never misses - even in the dark. Thankfully, Gio managed to turn on the lights before Costa shot us both."

"All of this over a midnight McDonalds run." I gaped at him in disbelief, sipping on my wine.

"Right? Then Costa got mad at us because of all the damage in the hallway. You know, the stupidest part is that Tristano and Rocco thought there was an intruder even after we used our key and we have tonnes of security outside."

"Maybe they were on drugs? Most of the time when Julius or Damian almost killed someone accidentally it's because they were on drugs."

Aidan pursed his lips, thinking hard about what I just said. "It's possible. Rocco does have a bit of a problem."

"A problem with what?" We both turned to look at the doorway where Giovanni stood, shirtless.

"Drugs."

"Oh, yeah he does. Why are you sitting with her?" Gio spared me a short glance, aiming his question at his twin.

"She's cool, bro." Aidan shrugged, taking another bite of his Twizzler.

"Cool?" He murmured, eyeing me with suspicion.

Giovanni definitely held a grudge against me more than Aidan ever did. He's hated me ever since we first laid eyes on each other when he bumped into me at the gala the night Costa sabotaged my marriage alliance with Viktor Kozlov.

I can't say I feel any different.

"Popcorn." I held out the bowl towards him, keeping my eyes on the screen.

"It's almost finished." Gio stated dryly.

How cute - he thought I was offering it to him.

"I know, Gio. That's why I'm giving you the bowl. Go and fill it up." I nodded towards the popcorn machine on the left side of the room where all the snacks were.

"You little bitch, I-"

"Just get her the popcorn." Aidan laughed, cutting Gio off.

Giovanni gave me the most deadly glare which I responded to with a grin. It was the alcohol in my system that gave me the balls to do that. Let's not forget he could still try and kill me, even if he's only 18 years old.

"Try it, bitch." I muttered, feeling my adrenaline and confidence sky rocket.

Suddenly I was ready to fight a bitch.

"What?" Aidan frowned. "Try what?"

"Fight me." I glared at Giovanni who was now filling my bowl at the popcorn machine.

"But I'm bringing you your popcorn." He was so confused - like a scared little puppy.

"See? You're all talk." I shook my head, gulping down my wine.

He didn't have the balls to fight me.

"Is she drunk?" Gio questioned his twin, eyeing the way I was now protectively gripping my glass of wine like it was the most precious gold chalice.

"No." I pouted. This family hates me being drunk, but the question is why?

I'm cool as fuck when I'm drunk.

"Yeah." Aidan laughed, snatching the bowl of popcorn from Giovanni.

Then Giovanni moved Lula to the floor which she definitely protested against. She immediately went to attack him, hitting out at his feet with her paws.

Her claws were kept trimmed so it did very little except tire her out.

"Move over, bitch." Gio glared at me, using his head to gesture to me to move. With an exaggerated huff I moved next to Aidan to allow my sworn enemy to sit next to me.

For the rest of the movie I sat between them on the couch with the popcorn bowl on my lap.

They were eating more than me, but when Giovanni temporarily stole my wine from me then I was forced to eat to counteract the urge to drink more.

"Bro, pass me a Twizzler." Giovanni leaned across me to tap Aidan on the arm.

"Shhh." I hissed.

"You just spat on me!" Gio rubbed at his cheek, sending me a murderous look.

"You're the one who shoved your face in front of me. I'm trying to watch the movie!"

"I just wanted a Twizzler, bitch."

At this point Lula decided to make herself known by hissing at the three of us from her place on the floor.

"Now you've upset Lula." I scowled at Giovanni who returned the same sour expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but Aidan quickly shoved a Twizzler in his open pie hole. "Here."

"Thanks, bro." He spoke through the sweet in his mouth, flashing me one last look before moving back to his previous position.

"You know, you were never invited to my movie night." I pointed out.

"Nuh-uh. I run this house." Giovanni grinned through a mouthful of Twizzler.

"What? No, you don't."

"I have more claim over it than you do. It's my family's home. You're not family." Despite the harshness of his words, he actually didn't say it maliciously. He said it in a matter-of-fact tone like it was obvious.

"True." I sighed, relenting from the fight.

"I can already see it - you two are going to be besties." Aidan grinned as if Gio and I weren't extremely tense from having to sit next to each other.

I accidentally made eye contact with Giovanni and I almost felt like throwing up my wine and popcorn.

Maybe it was because wine and popcorn don't actually go well together, but it was more likely due to the thought of us ever being friends.

Aidan was nice, Giovanni was not.

After that awkward moment we went back to watching the movie in an uncomfortable silence.

That was until all hell broke loose.

One second we were sitting calmly and then the next, a scary woman popped up on the screen.

I screeched and jumped at the sight, sending the popcorn everywhere all over the three of us.

The scary moment made Giovanni choke uncontrollably on his Twizzler and Aidan knocked over my glass of wine.

On the floor, Lula was going crazy after being startled by the woman in the black wedding dress.

And then, to top it all off, Costa and his brothers walked in. After being away for a week, he decides that's the best moment to walk in.

So there the three of us sat, covered in popcorn with Gio still choking to death and Lula now hiding behind my legs.

"What the hell?" Costa frowned, taking in the sight before him.

Can't he see we're in the middle of a pulse pounding movie?

"Shhh." The three of us responded in the same way, our eyes attached to the screen. Well, Gio tried to but he just wheezed instead.

It was just about the get interesting when the screen suddenly went black.

"Hey!" We all protested and even Lula meowed in confusion, stepping out into the middle of the room from behind my legs.

At that moment he decided to turn the lights on again.

She looked around until her eyes landed on Costantino. Then she immediately rushed towards him, gazing up at him adoringly. He stopped to give her some attention while the twins and I waited to find out why he ruined our movie.

"You. Get up."

"I'm sorry?" I rose an eyebrow at him, daring him to speak to me again like that.

"Get up. You need to get ready."

"I don't remember signing up to be your bitch, Costa." I narrowed my eyes at him. "Ask me politely."

"Get the hell up. What did you think of that?" He tilted his head to the side questioningly, still stroking Lula's fur.

She's such a little traitor.

"I think you can take one of the twins - preferably Giovanni." At the mention of his name Giovanni wheezed out a reply since his airways were still sore from choking on his Twizzler. "Screw you. I'm not going anywhere - it's Sunday night."

"You say that like you have work tomorrow." My deadpan expression had him fighting back a smile.

"I live an important life, baby."

"Did you just call Costa's wife baby?" Rocco scoffed, amusement written all over his face. Gio only shrugged, a stupid smirk stretching across his lips.

"Shut up." Costa snapped at his younger cousin, annoyance clouding his features. Then he turned to me and it became even stronger. "I won't tell you again. It's an important event, you need to come with me."

"Whatever." I sighed. "Just let me finish my damn movie first."

>>>>>>>

"Millie? What are you doing here alone?" Nadia Accardi, Costa's step mother, approached me in the empty entry hall.

Edoardo Accardi hardly acknowledged my presence in his house after my marriage to his son. The marriage alliance had served its purpose, so to him I was just another inconvenience that came along with a brilliant business deal.

His wife, well she was extremely kind to me.

"I'm waiting for Costa. He said we were leaving half an hour ago but he only just went upstairs to change." He's just up there swapping one luxury suit for another. Even after he disturbed my movie, he still left me waiting for him.

"You're going out?" She eyed the satin navy full length dress I was wearing.

"Yeah, to some gala or event." I shrugged, dropping down on a plush bench off to the side in the entry hall.

"Is it normal for him to leave you waiting?" She frowned, sitting down next to me.

"Yeah, I guess. It's not like I'm a priority for him." Costa had made it pretty clear over the last three months where I was on his priority list.

I wasn't on it.

His family, the Sicilian Mafia and anything else he could think of would always come before me. Which is fine because I was exactly the same with him.

But it kind of sucked when I had to wait half an hour for him to go upstairs to change even when I was on time.

"Millie, you know this isn't going to last forever, right?" Nadia smiled, her voice softening.

"Really?" I scoffed. "I can't imagine the two of us ever getting on or even having respect for each other."

Even if, and it's a big if, Costa ever came to like me or respect me, I would never feel the same for him. Not after the way he spoke down to me over my arachnophobia.

"It will come, it's taking just a little longer than it should." When I didn't give her a response she released a soft sigh, turning to face me on the bench.

"When I married Edoardo, yes we were in love, but it wasn't how I pictured it to be.

He didn't trust me with anything to do with his business.

He'd always go into another room for his phone calls and he'd be vague with his explanation when he had to cancel on me.

" She spoke with a soft frown, thinking back to the last couple years of her marriage to the current Don of the Sicilian Mafia.

"I don't think he really trusted me around his family either. I was an outsider, even if he loved me. That's how this family is programmed, Millie. They don't like outsiders - they never have. His children still hate me to this day, although there's definitely more behind that."

Costa hated her because she was his father's second wife. I didn't even need to ask him to know that was the reason. I once told him he had mommy issues - it was mean but true.

Costa and his brothers hated anyone even mentioning their mother - now imagine the hatred they felt towards the woman who married their father in her absence.

"Well, when did it change? Your relationship with Edoardo, I mean."

"I don't know. I think he eventually realised what was going on himself and he started changing. It took a long time but he trusts me more now. Costa will be the same."

"I seriously doubt it."

"He will, Millie. Maybe not right now. But remember, you're going to be married for a long time, hopefully.

" She added, with a grin. "Hating someone is exhausting - you'll each figure that out on your own.

It's counterproductive for the two of you to hate each other so much, especially when children come along. "

Children? My eyes widened at her mention of us possibly starting a family. At the same time the sound of footsteps and shouting approached.

Costa was coming down the stairs while ranting away in Italian at someone on the phone.

After living in Sicily for three months I'd learned a few very basic Italian words, but not many. I was much too busy trying to keep my company alive - I didn't have time to learn a new language.

Costa barely glanced in my direction as he stormed straight out of the villa while arguing on the phone.

"I guess that's my cue." I sighed, dreading having to share a car with my very angry husband - again.

"It'll be okay. Just try not to add to the pressure." Nadia nudged me as if she was trying to hint at something.

"What? Are you kidding? I would never do that." I smiled, standing to my feet. Her laugh echoed as I rushed out of the front door to the awaiting car.

This time Costa was in the back and he had his chauffeur driving the black Rolls Royce. Even with the presence of the driver, the car was still filled to the brim with tension throughout the drive. For once though, I don't think it was because of me.

Costa was furious about something work related. Every time he finished with one call he'd be on to someone else within seconds.

Then someone didn't answer him and he almost lost his shit.

"Fuck!" My eyes widened when he threw his phone on the seat next to him, then it bounced...into my lap.

I don't know about you, but in my eyes, phones are precious. They hold someone's entire life, contacts, secrets and memories. And my arch-nemesis's phone just landed in my lap - something I wouldn't dare touch if I wanted to keep my hand attached to my arm.

"Uh..." I was pretty much staring at the phone like it was a spider just chilling on my lap.

I think I was going to cry. At this point, I think it's needless to say I'm terrified of spiders.

"What do I do with this?" I turned to look at my husband who was now watching me with a weird expression.

"What the hell is the matter with you?" He snapped, reaching over to grab his phone from my lap.

It felt like the weight of the world was lifted off me - literally. I think his phone was made out of solid gold.

Rich people shit.

"Would you have bit my head off if I touched it?"

"Probably."

"See." He wouldn't have been able to handle the sight of his precious phone in my hand. He'd probably think I'm trying to bring down La Famiglia.

Costa was quickly back to throwing a tantrum when he dialled the number again and the soon to be dead guy still didn't answer.

"Fucking incompetent son of a bitch." He pretty much growled out the words through gritted teeth, furiously typing away on his phone.

"You know, you're acting a little crazy right now."

"Yeah? Say one more word and we'll see just how crazy I can get." Ironically, he said that really calmly. I chose not call his bluff and instead I let him simmer away next to me until we reached our destination - surprise surprise, another hotel.

The convoy of security cars rolled to a stop outside the entrance to the lobby. As always, we waited inside until Costa's guards did a quick visual check of the area.

While we were waiting, I accidentally made eye contact with one of the hotel's valet attendants. He was a middle aged man with greying hair and wrinkles, dressed in a maroon uniform.

Something lit up in his eyes when he saw me causing me to shift uncomfortably in my seat. He approached my door just when the guards gave Costa the all clear to get out.

Costa was the first one out of the car and the valet attendant was quick to open my door, flashing me a flirtatious smile.

It was actually more creepy than flirtatious.

"Welcome, Mrs Accardi."

He knows my name?

"Uh-...thank you." I forced a small smile onto my face, picking up my phone and my clutch. The valet attendant was watching me closely the entire time, then he held out his hand to help me out.

A very important rule I'd been taught from a young age was to only get out when one of my own guards opened the door for me.

You could never be too careful and everything about this guy screamed weirdo.

I was about to politely refuse his hand when he suddenly retracted it, stumbling to the side.

Costantino quickly took his place, sending the valet attendant the coldest of scowls. He held his hand out for me, blocking my view of the valet attendant with his domineering figure.

I took his hand and climbed out of the Rolls Royce. He placed a warm hand on my lower back, staying close behind me as he guided me through the rush and into the lobby.

"How did he know my name?" I tried to turn around to look back at the creepy valet attendant, but Costa nudged me forward.

"Don't. He's probably just trying to target you."

"What do you mean?"

"My family are very well known in Sicily. If people hear we're attending an event, sometimes they try shit."

What was he planning to do to me in the middle of the crowded driveway of the hotel entrance?

"Why are you so calm?" The only tell that something wasn't right was the way he remained close to me as we walked through the lobby. Otherwise, he seemed as calm as ever.

"My security saw him a mile off and they'll deal with him accordingly. There's nothing to worry about. Just focus on the event."

I might have felt like it but I guess I was never in any real danger - not with Costa and his security entourage around, anyway.

"What is it this time?"

"A charity gala hosted by an Armenian billionaire. There might be some familiar faces around so be careful." That was his subtle way of telling me this billionaire was shady as hell.

Familiar faces would always mean people from the criminal underworld.

"Is Kozlov here?"

"No. The Russians and the Serbs weren't invited. They don't get on with the host."

Upon entering the ballroom I definitely recognised a few people here and there. Most were European criminals, businessmen and some politicians.

Women were hanging off their men like trophy wives which was the norm at these kinds of events. It was a competition to see who could bring the most beautiful woman. For men, that meant tonnes of make up, perfume and revealing dresses to show off their fake assets.

And trust me, there were a lot of fake assets on show in that room.

I took a glass of champagne off a server's tray while Costa chose to decline one. I sipped on my drink next to my husband who carefully observed the room like he always did.

He always came in with the most domineering presence. Just his dangerous and powerful aura was enough to have people stepping out of his way and watching him with awe.

"Do you...do you know if my family were invited?"

"I don't know. My father was the one who was invited but he asked me to come instead. He would have received a guest list at some point."

The guest list would have had the seating chart on too. It was always a tactful move. These events were usually just a chance for men to socialise and discuss business under the guise they were actually doing something good for society. It was a chance for good publicity.

"So is that why you're not rushing off to meet people? Because they're not your crowd?" Usually, Costa would have started up a conversation with someone by now.

These people probably weren't good enough for him. Instead, he was staying with me as if we we actually said more than a few words to each other every week.

Seriously, I could count the number of words we said to each other last week.

"Sì. I don't usually come to these if I can help it. But since we got married my father has wanted the alliance to be shown off to the world. That means a lot of dinners and events that I would usually avoid - like this one."

He was still observing the room as he spoke. His eyes would follow different people like he was making mental notes on them, then he'd move on to someone else.

"I doubt it's having the desired effect. It's probably obvious to anyone looking that we hate each other."

"Oh, it doesn't matter about us." He laughed, but it wasn't humorous at all.

It was full of bitterness. "He wants people to know the Sicilians have allied with the Greeks for his own benefit.

No one could care less if we were dry humping on the dance floor or glaring daggers at each other all night.

" I mean, when you put it like that it makes sense.

But there was probably no need for the uncomfortably vivid image.

"Millie."

Our slightly peaceful conversation was interrupted by a thick Spanish accent behind me.

I turned around to see Antonio Diaz - the heir to a Spanish cartel. He was on my list of potential husbands until Damian told me he'd slept with most of Antonio's family.

"Antonio. It's been so long." I smiled, immediately stepping in to give him a hug. He wrapped an arm around my waist and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek.

"Sí. You look good." (Yes) His velvety voice used to make me feel warm inside. But, this time I was filled with dread when Costantino cleared his throat behind me. I stepped back out of his hold, releasing an awkward laugh.

"I'm sure you've met Costa before."

"Sí." Antonio eyed my husband for a lingering second before eventually holding his hand out for him to shake. Costa remained as cool as ever when he shook Antonio's hand.

"Sorry I couldn't make the wedding. With everything that happened between Damian and my brother, it didn't feel right to attend." He was referring to the fight that happened at a gala when Miguel Diaz found out that Damian had slept with him, his sister and his mother.

Antonio smiled apologetically although I was sure he wasn't actually sorry.

"It's okay, we understand. I'm sorry for my cousin's behaviour." I almost cringed at how awkward that was.

It was like apologising for your child's behaviour to another parent.

"Ah, don't worry. Miguel is no better." He shrugged with a laugh.

"People often end up dead at his sex parties, right?" Clearly Costa had heard the same rumours I did. He just didn't have the same tact.

I nudged Costa in the ribs and Antonio awkwardly cleared his throat. "I'm not sure."

"Those are just rumours." I smiled, trying to lighten the tension. They weren't rumours, it was definitely true. But I wasn't about to agree with Costa and make this any worse.

"Sí. Well, if you're around later we can catch up, Millie." Antonio gave me a fleeting smile before quickly moving away from Costa and I.

"Did you really have to say that?" I turned to glare at my husband who had an amused smile playing on his lips.

"What? It's true."

"I know it's true but there are somethings you just don't say to someone and accusing their brother of murdering people at secret sex parties is one of those things." My hushed yet aggressive tone had his smile growing even more.

He came in closer to me in the banquet hall which forced me to crane my neck to meet his eyes.

"Hm. Is he a friend of yours?"

"Yes."

Costa nodded, reaching his hand up to move a stray piece of hair from my face. "If you ever let another man touch you again there will be consequences. Do you understand?"

He spoke so softly yet so ominously. His eyes held nothing but anger and promise, even if his movements were so gentle. The intensity between us was electric. His green eyes refused to break away from my brown ones.

"I asked you a question, Millie."

"Screw you. You don't have the right to stop me from hugging a friend." My response had his eyes darkening as I quickly took a step back to put some distance between us.

Costa was for sure about to give me shit but something, or someone, behind me stopped him.

"Go to the bar."

"What?" I frowned, attempting to turn around but he quickly grabbed my hand.

"Don't turn around. Just go. I'll come and get you in a minute."

It wasn't a minute.

Costa left me drinking martinis at the bar for half an hour. The couple of times we made eye contact he would just look away to focus back on the old man he was speaking to. It wasn't a friendly conversation, that's was obvious.

So I just waited.

And waited.

On my own.

"He's more moronic than I thought if he's stupid enough to leave you alone here."

My entire body froze at the familiar strong scent of his cologne and that unmistakable accent.

"See, if I brought my wife into a room full of people who hate me, I'd make sure to stay right by her side all night."

I still refused to respond to him. I kept my attention solely focused on the martini glass on the bar. My hand rested on the base of the glass and my other gripped the granite counter.

"Since he brazenly left you unprotected, I can only assume he doesn't care for your safety. Not that I'm surprised. He's never been one to take care of his toys."

Toys?

Irritation surged through my veins at the thought of anyone thinking I was Costa's toy. That was simultaneous with the confusion. The way Viktor was speaking suggested there was some history with a woman that he knew about.

"So, what is it, Millie? He just doesn't like you or are you having trouble in paradise?" Again I refused to respond to him. "I warned you, didn't I?"

He suddenly took a step closer to me sending a wave of panic through me. On instinct I tensed up, attempting to turn around to find Costantino.

Viktor obviously anticipated the move and used his body to shield me from my husband's view - if he actually bothered to turn back to the bar to find me.

"I warned you not to be too picky, I told you'd that you'd end up getting hurt. I told you this world is a cruel place, but you didn't listen to me, did you?" His tone was full of mockery, a far cry from the soft tone he used when he was trying to court me into a marriage.

My heart pounded away in my chest as he pressed against me, speaking over my shoulder into my ear. He was big enough and tall enough to completely hide my body from view and with his arms either side of me, I was effectively caged in.

"I wanted to marry you, Millie. I wanted us to be happy - I wanted you to be happy. But now look. You're trapped in a marriage with a narcissistic, selfish, son of a bitch and I'm being forced to take revenge on you and your family."

Now the psycho was pretending to be upset or even slightly regretful that he was allied with the Serbs.

"But in the end I'm going to get exactly what I want, Millie." I could feel him smile as he nuzzled his face into my neck. His left hand moved from the granite bar top towards my hip.

He held my hip in a bruising grip that had me biting back a whimper. I tried to move again but this time the feeling of a sharp metal blade against my stomach stopped me. I froze in his arms without him having to say a word - the threat was clear.

"I'm going to make a promise to you. Perhaps you'll pay attention since you didn't heed my last warning which landed you in a marriage alliance with the Accardi family.

" He traced the blade across my lower abdomen just below by belly button.

"I have a long winded plan, but for the sake of our short time together, I'll spare you the details.

It's not the steps of the plan that you need to worry about, it's the end.

Once I rid the earth of the Darmos family and the Accardi family, I'll be taking you for my own pleasure.

Your punishment for defying me and starting this whole war will be to perpetually carry my babies. "

He continued to trace the blade over my abdomen, or more accurately my uterus.

"Over and over again I'll use your body and keep pumping you full of my seed for the rest of your pathetic existence.

We'll create our own little army of children while you waste away in a cage until your body finally gives out.

" He released a low chuckle, pressing the tip of the knife into my skin.

"I might even start taking bets to see how many pregnancies you can last."

His amusement was fleeting and then he was back to his sadistic self, pressing the knife in harder against my skin causing me to release a soft cry.

"Don't forget this, Millie. Every night you go to sleep next to him, remember the number is reducing.

One morning you're going to wake up next to him and that will be the last time.

That very same night your husband and your family will be dead and you'll be sleeping in my basement with no one to come for you. "

Those were his parting words. He moved away so quickly that when I shakily turned around he'd disappeared into thin air.

Just like that he was gone, leaving me reeling from his very vivid threats.