Chapter 12
Dante
I looked down at my lovely prize, content to wait for her to wake up. She’d slept the whole journey to my fortified estate in Upstate New York, so she should come around soon. Then, I could fully revel in my triumph over Luca, the bastard.
My revenge was so close that I ached for it, a sharp pang in the pit of my stomach. I’d waited fifteen years for this, and with her help, I’d finally make Luca pay.
The fact that Nora Ricci would be the key to his undoing only sweetened my vengeance.
I’d watched the delicate beauty for years, craving her when I knew that her father would never allow me to have her.
Thanks to the black mark on my bloodline, he wouldn’t have accepted me into his family.
Until his fear of Luca forced his hand, and he chose to trust in me.
Now, she was mine, completely in my power.
She looked so fragile when she was sleeping, innocent and serene.
A copper tang coated my tongue, and I swallowed down the sour moment. Luca had taken her innocence, not me. He would scream for that.
But he’d only had her in his bed for a week, and I was certain that noble Luca Vitale wouldn’t have corrupted his pretty bride so quickly. Not in the ways I would defile her, and she would learn to love suffering for me.
She stirred with a groan, and a sharp, anticipatory grin stretched my lips. I sat up straighter on the edge of the bed, watching as her long lashes fluttered. Her hazel eyes were glassy at first, her brow furrowed. She was still disoriented from the drugs.
I saw the moment that my face came into focus for her; her eyes flew wide on a gasp, and she scrambled away from me.
“Hello, little bird,” I crooned, relishing the tremor that raced over her willowy body. “Welcome home.”
She looked around wildly, taking in our bedroom: the rich shades of blue edged with bronze gilding. She was sprawled on our massive bed, her back pressed against the imposing mahogany headboard.
She took in three deep breaths, forcing the air into her lungs. Then she turned a fierce, defiant glare on me. “This isn’t my home. Let me go.”
The imperious tilt of her delicate chin was delicious. I grinned at her, and she barely wavered at my disconcerting expression. Men had pissed themselves when I turned this cruelly pleased smile on them.
I’d chosen well with Nora. I’d always wanted her, but I’d been prepared to marry her sister when her father approached me with the proposed alliance.
But when Nora had defended Giana and defied Giuseppe, I’d known that I couldn’t accept another.
Giana was shy and timid. Nora possessed a quiet strength and fierce will.
I needed a spirited woman who could handle the darker things I wanted to do to her without breaking completely.
I had no desire to be married to an empty, mindless shell of a woman.
“You’re not going anywhere,” I informed her. “This is your home now, with me. Luca took you from me, but he’ll live to regret that.”
She swallowed hard, but she kept her defiant posture and stared me down. “My husband will kill you if you touch me.”
I reached for her, and she flinched. I touched her face without hesitation, tracing the line of her cheekbone before running my thumb over her lush lips. The brazen way I handled her with such intimacy made her tremble, and the sight went straight to my head: a high that was my drug of choice.
“No, he won’t kill me,” I informed her. “And he’s not your husband anymore. I am.”
She blinked, jaw dropping for a moment. “You’re insane.”
“No, my dear. I’m not. We’re getting married. You were always meant to be mine, and we’re sealing our union today.” I took my hand from her face and gestured to her right, where I’d laid out the white gown that I’d chosen for her. “Time to get dressed.”
She froze, wide eyes fixed on the dress, as though it was a snake that might strike at her if she made a sudden movement. “I’m already married to Luca.”
“Luca won’t be a problem soon,” I assured her. “We’ll make it legal once I’ve removed him as a threat. But the ceremony is happening now. I won’t wait to have you as my bride. I won’t let him take one more thing from me.”
She fisted her shaking hands at her sides and set her jaw with defiance. “If you want to rape me, you don’t have to humiliate me first.”
Anger tightened my gut. “Is that what Luca has taught you to expect? Did he rape you on your wedding night?”
The bastard might be noble, but he was entitled. I hadn’t expected him to abuse Nora, but I wasn’t all that surprised that he would take what he wanted from her as her husband.
She paled. “My wedding night with Luca is none of your business.”
I scowled, and she edged back an inch. “So, he did force himself on you. Don’t worry, little bird. I’ll make him pay for that too.”
“It wasn’t like that,” she insisted. “And you won’t make him pay for anything. He killed those two men you sent after us. He risked his life to save me. He won’t stop until he gets to me, and he’ll make sure you scream before you die.”
“Then what was it like?” I ignored her threats. She was right: Luca would come for her, and I would be ready. He wouldn’t win. “What did your dear husband do to you on your wedding night? Was he your white knight then?”
She pressed her lush lips together, her eyes sparking with hatred. She loathed me for making her face the truth. Luca might’ve killed to protect her, but he’d also violated her.
I leaned in closer, letting her see the stark truth in my eyes. “You will beg for my cock before I give you what you really want.”
I would enjoy every second of her slow surrender, until the day she finally welcomed me into her gorgeous body. There were so many wicked things I could do to her in the meantime, such fun ways to toy with her and torment her until she knelt at my feet and begged me to fuck her.
She shook her head, features slack with horror. “Never,” she hissed.
I let out a low chuckle, thrilled at her defiant spirit. “We’re going to have a lot of fun together, pet.” I brushed a quick kiss over her chilled cheek and pulled away. “Now, get dressed. It’s past time to make you my wife.”
She glanced from me to the wedding dress and back again, as though she didn’t dare take her eyes off the threat I posed.
“Go on,” I prompted, crossing my arms over my chest. “Put on your wedding dress.”
I anticipated further delicious defiance, but she shuddered and shifted away from me, reaching for the gown with shaking hands.
I frowned, not ready for our game to end just yet. “Am I truly so terrifying, little bird? I didn’t think you were so weak.”
Her eyes flashed, and she rounded on me.
Good.
“It’s not weakness. It’s self-preservation. You’re a sadist. I saw what you’re capable of. I don’t intend to give you a reason to strangle me too.”
Irritation pricked my spine. “You mean what I did to that motherfucker who hit you? He was lucky that I needed to make a deal with your father. It’s the only reason I spared him. I should’ve cut off his hand instead.”
The color drained from her face, and my annoyance flared. My bride should be grateful for my protection. She’d seemed pleased with the fact that Luca had killed for her.
I rolled my shoulders, shrugging it off. Her devotion would grow with time. I’d waited years to claim what I truly wanted: power, revenge. I could be patient with my wife. Nora would be mine in every way, and she would give herself to me eagerly soon enough.
She scooted away from me and got to her feet on the opposite side of the bed, making it a barrier between us. Her shoulders straightened, and her gaze clashed with mine once again.
“Are you going to watch me change, you sick bastard?”
I clicked my tongue at her. “Watch your language. You’re right: I am a sadist. You’d do well to remember that.”
I waited until she reluctantly reached for the gown before I turned my back to her, indulging her desire for modesty. Eventually, she’d surrender herself to me fully, and her body would be mine to admire and play with whenever I pleased. I was content to toy with my bride for a while longer.