CHAPTER 24 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
I GLARE AT ARIANNA, not bothering to hide my contempt.
I’m already questioning my decision. First, the extra aggro with the rings, which I had to sort; one man dead; her attempt at running; and now, had I not walked in, she’d have further jeopardized my life and business by calling the enemy?
The woman is a liability and it’s infuriating.
Yet, it’s also fascinating in ways I prefer not to dwell on.
“I don’t like women using foul language. ”
“Like I care!” she sneers. “You have no right to withhold information when it concerns me or my...”
“I can do whatever the fuck I want, princess.” I keep my voice calm and sickeningly smooth to rile her further. She needs riling. She needs a lot of things...
She’s also purposefully ignoring last night’s way of me proving she’s still alive. This is good, as I do not wish to explain why I chose that particular route. I don’t quite know myself.
Giving her a smile, showcasing the clean, white teeth I’m particularly proud of irritates her further, and I swallow my brewing laughter. I love how she hates me. “Your family is unharmed.”
Arianna looks at me - the man she perceives as barbaric.
She might well be right, but I care little because I’m more interested in watching her lips form that perfect shape which is accentuated when she’s angry.
Not that I’ll tell her in case she takes it as a compliment.
Instead, I give her another of my best smiles - this time a cold, sarcastic and insincere one.
She thinks I’m lying and presumes I’ve killed her entire family. That’s what animals like us Batemans do. Except she’s wrong.
I like being unpredictable.
“I don’t believe you,” Arianna glares accusingly at me. If looks could kill, I’d be dead. “Just tell me the truth!”
I laugh. Actually laugh. That will get her. I then glance at my watch, insinuating she’s taking up too much of my time, when in fact I’m enjoying every single second.
But I’ll put her out of her misery all the same.
“I am speaking the truth. Last night, I played things in a way that neither the Bristonis nor your family expected, but whether you believe that is up to you.” My eyes resume their normal icy stare, and all traces of a smile, sarcastic or otherwise, disappear.
That’s the effect thinking of those Italian bastards has.
“So yes, for the time being, your family are safe.”
I watch Arianna’s mind whir, deducing whether it’s possible I’m telling the truth. “Th-They are? They’re safe?”
I nod. “Like I said, for the time being.”
“What does that mean?”
She’s screeching again. She needs to stop. It gets on my nerves. “Less of the wailing. You’re giving me a headache.” I’m standing too close, and she’s already affecting me. I need to move because it’s time to unveil the good “news”.
I pace to the window. “I’ll return the phone you stole to its rightful owner, but don’t worry, I’ll say it fell out in here to save your embarrassment. In the meantime, I’ve booked a personal shopper from Harrods to attend you. She’s bringing more clothes and measuring you up.”
Arianna’s sarcastic retort sticks on the end of her tongue. My eyes dance with enjoyment watching the cogs in her brain turn harder. Will she ask or not?
This woman really gets to me. Watching her fight with her resolve not to lose her temper makes me hotter than is comfortable and blood rushes straight to my groin.
“Why do I need more clothes? You’ve already bought me enough to see me through for a few days. And Harrods?” Arianna scowls, looking even more frustratingly gorgeous. “That’s ridiculous!”
The throbbing of my cock intensifies.
“You’re doing this to irritate me!” she continues. “Do what you need to make your point with the Bristonis, but I don’t require any more things, unless you’re forcing me to remain here for no reason. Furthermore, why do I need to be measured up?”
I smile leisurely. This is the part I’ve been looking forward to. “From my experience of the amount of clothes women expect, I assume you’ll need plenty. And as my wife , I expect you to look presentable at the functions we attend!”