Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
ARIA
I stood at my bedroom window, forehead pressed against the cool glass, staring out at the manicured gardens below without really seeing them.
Why had I run?
The question circled in my mind like a vulture over carrion. Why had I packed a bag, climbed out a window, and walked down that dark road like some naive girl in a horror movie who thinks she can outrun her fate?
Because I was terrified. Simple as that. Bone-deep, soul-crushing terrified.
Terrified of loving Kai so much it physically hurt. Terrified of losing him to violence or his father's suspicions or the impossible situation we'd created. Terrified of becoming Salvatore's wife and having to pretend Kai meant nothing while my heart screamed otherwise.
Running had been pure panic. The animal part of my brain taking over, convinced that if I could just get far enough away, maybe the pain would stop. Maybe I could breathe again. Maybe I could figure out who I was outside of this nightmare.
Except I couldn't run from myself. Couldn't run from the fact that I loved Kai Accardi with a desperate, consuming intensity that terrified me more than anything Salvatore could do.
I'd rather die than lose Kai. Would rather face whatever consequences came than pretend he didn't own every piece of my heart.
That realization had hit me last night in his arms. When he'd held me and promised to save us. When he'd looked at me like I was the only thing in the world worth fighting for.
I was his. Completely. Irrevocably. And running wouldn't change that.
Movement below caught my eye. A black car rolling up the circular driveway, sleek and expensive and radiating menace.
My entire body went cold.
Don Salvatore had returned.
I watched him emerge from the car. Tall, imposing, dressed in an expensive suit that probably cost more than most people made in a year. Even from this distance, I could see the predatory way he moved. The casual cruelty in how he dismissed his driver with a wave.
Hatred flooded through me. Pure, visceral hatred.
This man had killed his wives. Had turned his son into a weapon. Had bought me like cattle and expected me to be grateful for the privilege of warming his bed.
This man stood between me and any chance at happiness.
I wanted him dead. Wanted to watch him bleed out on the expensive marble floors of his estate. Wanted to dance on his grave and spit on his memory.
The intensity of my hatred startled me. I'd never wished someone dead before. Never understood how people could fantasize about violence.
But looking at Salvatore, I understood completely.
The atmosphere in the estate shifted immediately. Like someone had sucked all the oxygen out of the air and replaced it.
Staff moved quicker, quieter. Guards stood straighter. Even the air felt heavier, oppressive.
Dinner that evening was a masterclass in barely controlled tension.
Lia sat across from me, her face carefully blank, barely touching her food. She kept her eyes on her plate, speaking only when directly addressed.
Kai sat at his father's right hand, spine rigid, expression cold and formal. He didn't look at me. Didn't acknowledge my presence beyond the bare minimum required by politeness.
Playing his role perfectly. The dutiful son. The enforcer who felt nothing.
It hurt more than it should have, even knowing it was necessary.
I kept my own eyes down, hands folded in my lap, the picture of obedient future wife. Spoke when spoken to. Smiled when expected. Every movement careful, measured, designed to please.
It made me want to scream.
Salvatore seemed pleased with what he saw. His cold blue eyes swept over me periodically, assessing, cataloging.
"You look well, Aria. More settled than when I left. The estate clearly agrees with you."
More settled. Right. Because I'd been thoroughly broken in during his absence.
"Thank you, Don Salvatore. Everyone has been very kind. Mrs. Rossi especially has been wonderful about teaching me what I need to know."
The lie tasted like copper on my tongue.
"Excellent. The wedding is set for five weeks from today. Time to finalize all the arrangements. I've already spoken with Father Benedetto about the ceremony. It will be traditional, of course. Befitting our families' status."
Five weeks. Five weeks until I became his wife. Until this nightmare became permanent.
My hands clenched under the table. I forced them to relax. Forced my face to remain pleasant and grateful.
"I'm honored by your attention to detail. I'm sure it will be beautiful."
Beautiful. Sure. A beautiful prison sentence.
"Kai has been watching over you in my absence, I trust?" Salvatore's gaze shifted to his son.
"Yes, Father. Kai has been very diligent about ensuring my safety and teaching me about the family business."
Diligent. That was one way to describe what we'd been doing.
"Good. It's important you understand what you're becoming part of. This family has power, Aria. Influence. We don't tolerate weakness or betrayal." His eyes locked on mine. "I trust you understand that completely."
The threat was clear as crystal. Step out of line and there would be consequences.
"I understand perfectly."
"I'm pleased to hear it." He returned to his meal, apparently satisfied.
The rest of dinner passed in excruciating silence punctuated by meaningless small talk. I pushed food around my plate, my appetite nonexistent.
When Salvatore finally dismissed everyone, relief flooded through me. I started to stand, ready to escape to my room.
"Aria. A moment in my study, please. There are matters we need to discuss privately."
Ice flooded my veins. Kai's jaw clenched visibly. Lia's eyes went wide with concern.
But there was no refusing. No acceptable excuse.
"Of course."
I followed Salvatore through the hallways to his study. Every step felt like walking toward an execution.
He held the door open, gestured for me to enter. Closed it behind us with a soft click that sounded unnaturally loud.
"Sit."
I perched on the edge of the leather chair facing his desk. Kept my spine straight, hands folded, expression neutral.
Salvatore didn't sit. Instead, he circled around me slowly. Assessing. Like I was livestock being evaluated for purchase.
His hand touched my hair. Light. Possessive. I fought every instinct that screamed to pull away.
"You've done well in my absence. Mrs. Rossi tells me you're a quick study. Obedient. Eager to please." His fingers trailed from my hair to my shoulder. "These are good qualities in a wife."
His touch made my skin crawl. Made me want to scrub myself raw until the feeling of his hands disappeared.
But I stayed perfectly still. Gave no indication of my revulsion.
"I hope to be everything you need me to be."
Another lie. I was building quite a collection.
"I'm sure you will be." He moved to stand in front of me, tilting my chin up with one finger. "You're going to make a beautiful bride. Young. Fertile. Perfect for bearing the sons I require. Obedient enough to know your place."
Bile rose in my throat. I swallowed it down. Forced myself to meet his eyes without flinching.
"I'm honored by your confidence in me."
"In one month, you'll be mine completely. In my bed. Bearing my name. Under my control in every way that matters. I want to make absolutely certain you understand what that means."
Every cell in my body screamed in protest. But I nodded slowly.
"I understand completely. I'll be your wife in every sense of the word."
God, I wanted to vomit. Wanted to run. Wanted Kai to burst through the door and put a bullet in this man's head.
But I sat still. Played the role. Survived.
Salvatore studied me for a long moment, those cold eyes searching for any hint of deception.
"I've heard you've been spending considerable time with Kai. Learning about the family business. That's acceptable. You should understand how this organization operates. But I want to make sure you remember who you belong to."
Warning bells went off in my head. He suspected something. Maybe not the full truth, but something.
"Kai has been an excellent teacher. Professional and thorough. He's helped me understand the complexity of the family's operations. But I've never forgotten for a moment that I'm here to marry you, Don Salvatore. That you're the one I'm meant to serve and honor."
The words nearly choked me. But they seemed to satisfy him.
"Good. I'd hate to think my son was overstepping his role. He can be... protective sometimes. It runs in the family."
Protective. Right. That's definitely what we'd been doing.
"He's been nothing but respectful. I appreciate his dedication to following your orders."
Salvatore nodded slowly. Then dropped the bomb I'd been dreading.
"Starting next week, I want you to move your belongings to my wing of the estate. You'll occupy the suite adjacent to mine. It will help you adjust to our living arrangements before the wedding. Give us time to become better acquainted."
My heart plummeted into my stomach. Crashed through the floor. Kept falling.
Living in his wing meant no privacy. No stolen moments with Kai. Constant surveillance and control.
It meant the beginning of the end.
But I couldn't refuse. Couldn't show any hesitation.
"Of course. Whatever you think is best. I'm grateful for the opportunity to spend more time in your presence before the wedding."
I was going to hell for all these lies. Straight to the deepest pit where the worst sinners went.
"Excellent. We'll make the transition on Monday. That gives you the weekend to prepare." He finally stepped back, releasing me from his oppressive proximity. "You may go now. Get some rest. Tomorrow we'll begin discussing wedding details."
I stood on shaking legs. Managed to walk to the door without stumbling.
"Thank you for your time, Don Salvatore. Have a pleasant evening."
I walked out. Made it down the hallway. Around the corner.
Then I ran.