Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
I took a deep breath and tore my gaze away from the rings that might as well have been shackles.
It doesn’t mean anything, I told myself. We’re not really married.
Luca was still my husband, not this monster who was looking at me like I was a decadent treat he couldn’t wait to devour.
The officiant declared us married, completing the farce of a ceremony. “You may kiss the bride.”
I tensed, my beatific smile slipping. I tried to pull my composed mask back in place, but fear shuddered through me in a shockwave, cracking it.
Dante cocked his head at me, his gaze bright with amusement as he watched me crumble ever so slightly. He studied me as though I was the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen, his full, intense attention fixed on every nuance of my expression.
I straightened my spine, defiance sparking through my terror. His dark amusement chafed at my pride, provoking me to betray a glimmer of the fire that raged deep in my chest. I was furious at him for doing this to me, and I was angry at my own powerlessness to physically resist cruel men like Dante.
All I could do was endure, but I was sick of meekly surrendering my body to heartless monsters who only wanted to use me for their own nefarious ends.
Dante’s eyes searched mine, and a delighted smile illuminated his angelic features, making him almost painfully beautiful. The effect was both stunning and terrifying.
“No,” he said slowly. “I don’t think my bride is ready for a kiss. Not yet.”
I lifted my chin. “I will never be ready to kiss you. Luca will kill you slowly if you touch me.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Already so loyal to strong, handsome Luca?” he mocked. “Even after he raped you on your wedding night?”
“He didn’t rape me,” I seethed. It hadn’t been like that.
Had it?
I shoved away the treacherous thought before it could fully form. Luca had always ensured that I felt pleasure. He’d never hurt me.
“Let’s see just how badly you want to get back to your beloved.” Again, that lilting, mocking tone.
I bristled. Luca wasn’t my beloved, and Dante knew it. He was enjoying twisting my words, trying to goad me into snapping completely.
Before I could swallow my indignation and claw back the composure that would protect me from his cruelty, his hands bracketed my waist. The world spun, and my abdomen collided with his shoulder. Instinctively, I struggled, beating my fists against his lower back as he carried me off, just like Luca had done when he’d stolen me away from Dante on our wedding day.
He palmed my bottom through the layers of organza that made up the skirt of my white gown, brazenly groping me. I thrashed and cursed him, and the bastard laughed.
Chilly air kissed the bare skin on my arms, and everything swirled around me as Dante put me back on my feet. He grabbed my hips and turned me away from him before wrapping a corded arm around my waist, tugging my back against his hard chest.
His big body practically enfolded mine, and I shuddered at his raw power. He wasn’t quite as broad as Luca, but he had a couple inches of height on my husband. His muscular frame was more than strong enough to completely overpower me.
A cold breeze raced over my arms, teasing through his body heat that surrounded me. We were outside a huge mansion built of stone that made it appear more like a castle. A circular drive surrounded a massive fountain, and the sound of splashing water was incongruously tranquil in comparison to the abject terror that fluttered in my chest. A forest stretched out before us, the only gap in the trees allowing for the winding driveway. It disappeared into the shadows, the twilight making the leaf-strewn grounds darker than the illuminated front porch, where Dante held me fast.
“You want to get back to Luca?” Dante murmured, his voice a heated caress on my neck. He released my waist, and cold washed over me. “Run.”
All my muscles locked up tight. I knew he was toying with me. It would be impossible for me to run away in this voluminous dress and high heels. If I tried to take the path, he would be able to follow easily. But if I took to the trees, I was likely to get lost in the wilderness. I had no idea how large this estate was or how it was fortified. Even if I managed to reach the edges of his property, it was likely heavily guarded, especially considering the fact that he was bracing for Luca to attack.
“Don’t you want to fly away, little bird?” Dante cooed. “Here’s your chance.”
I rounded on him, tipping my chin back so that I could meet his sparkling eyes. “Stop toying with me.”