CHAPTER 57 - ARIANNA
CHAPTER
Arianna
I F RED DOESN’T WANT me to retaliate, he shouldn’t use the excuse of playing blissful newlyweds in order to touch me, knowing I can’t pull away without drawing attention.
Yet another one of his control tactics?
Because ever since this afternoon, when I stupidly made my attraction to him obvious, he’ll use it at every possible opportunity.
Yes, okay, I am physically attracted to this man, but that’s physically .
My brain works too, and it’s screaming the exact opposite, therefore Red can’t expect to escape unscathed.
Besides, if I’m honest, I’m intrigued to know what really happened with his fiancée.
Because there’s more to it than what is ever said.
However, I doubt I’ll get a word of truth out of him, so I’m grateful the food has arrived to soften the loaded silence by the distraction of eating.
I wind Spaghetti Alla Carbonara onto my fork, refraining from shoveling it in too quickly. Whatever Red’s history is with Dell’Oro’s, the place is stunning and the food even better. That part, I was not exaggerating about.
I look up from my plate, keeping my carefully constructed air of confidence about me, and purposely lick the sauce from the corner of my mouth.
It’s already had the desired effect once because I saw Red’s expression when I last licked my lips.
It made him hot under the collar, but as much as he revels in blowing hot and cold in his mission to make me his slave, he’s doing a terrible job of hiding how much he wants me.
My experience with men might be limited, but call it inbuilt animal instinct - Red finds me as equally attractive as I find him, which is infuriating as well as dangerous.
It’s also extremely fucking exciting...
I look back down at my plate; despite my aim to make him as uncomfortable as possible, I don’t want to launch sauce down this gorgeous blue dress. As much as I hate to admit it, Red has good taste in clothes. There was nothing in that selection from Harrods that I wouldn’t choose myself.
He knows how to dress too.
I study Red’s perfectly tailored suit. The dark charcoal, almost black material goes perfectly with his hair and that hot stubble on his face.
But something is off with him tonight. Despite his prowess at concealing what’s in his head, there’s something bothering him and, for once, I don’t think it’s about getting one over on me.
That’s the second time he’s glanced at his watch.
I also caught him checking his phone when I returned from the ladies’ cloakroom earlier.
The conversation between those two unknown men in the corridor earlier is playing on my mind. Is Red’s quietness to do with that? Should I tell him about it?
Pulling myself up for having stupid thoughts, I frown. Why would I give Red information? He’d only use it against me or accuse me of snooping.
Perhaps Liam said I was attempting another escape? Maybe that’s what Red’s strange attitude is about? But I doubt it. If that were the case, he’d be unable to stop himself from saying something.
It’s not like there’s any point in escaping. Not now. Thanks to Red, I have no family to escape to.
Refusing to allow that miserable subject to deter me from my mission, I smile sweetly. “Is something the matter, darling? You’re very quiet. Has something happened at work to upset you?”
A nerve twitches in Red’s jaw. “Nothing of any importance.”
“Oh, it must have!” I continue sweetly. He wants me to act the dutiful wife, doesn’t he? Well, here she is. “Were there no hand tools left in B & Q? Is that it? Hatchets, perhaps?”
Red’s jaw tightens. He hasn’t risen to my jibe, so something has happened. A wisp of worry unfurls, and I lower my voice. “It’s not anything to do with... You said the threat was fake, and now we’re married, that...”
“Don’t assume the threat no longer applies, Arianna.” Red’s voice is barely more than a whisper. “It’s still alive and well. It’s just a question of when it happens.”
I’m genuinely shocked. “But I thought...”
“These things don’t just go away, so you’re not to go anywhere on your own, and I mean that.”
I twirl my spaghetti in silence, the triumph at shooting my barbed comments fading to black.
I want to ask questions. I want to protest about not being able to go anywhere alone, but I don’t.
For once, just from Red’s eyes, I can see this isn’t to do with control or scoring points, but real .
The familiar tension that I thought now gone, wraps itself back around me.
The Bristonis will still strike.
I’m deflated. I thought this was over, and that my family was safe, but I’ve been incredibly na?ve.
“Whatever you think I’m doing or what I’m doing it for, I’m ensuring everyone within my life is protected. That includes you , so don’t ask further questions on this subject and instead, just do as I say.”
At my small nod, Red morphs back into the character I’ve become used to. The smile he turns on like a light is as well-practiced as my own. “Let’s talk about something else, shall we?”