Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38723 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 194(@200wpm)___ 155(@250wpm)___ 129(@300wpm)
Both men eyed my wife’s position in my lap. Giuseppe simply shrugged in response, but Alberto’s eyes narrowed slightly. Maybe he didn’t like seeing his cousin used as a pawn, but he would have to accept her role in this power play. All that mattered was his loyalty, and if he dared to say a word against me, he’d quickly find out how I dealt with insubordination.
But I needed all the men I could muster, and Alberto commanded respect. The Ricci family was powerful, and crossing them would weaken my position.
More men took their seats around the table, a few of the faces surprising me. I hadn’t expected to see Mattia or Diego here today; they were Vitale men, staunchly loyal to Luca’s father.
But the old man was dead now, and they were smart to shift their allegiance.
“Thank you for coming,” I said when they were all seated. “I value your loyalty.”
Mattia’s mouth twisted so that it disappeared beneath his bushy gray moustache, and his brown eyes narrowed. “We’ll see. I’m only here because those Russian motherfuckers are picking off my men. Are you strong enough to defend our territory?”
My arm tightened around Nora, and I pulled her closer to my chest. “Luca is mine. Giuseppe’s daughter is my wife. You tell me if I’m strong enough.” I tipped my chin back, daring him to defy me in my own home.
His jaw ticked, but he dropped his gaze. Diego looked equally doubtful, but he didn’t challenge me.
My sadistic, erratic reputation seemed to have held through the period of instability. They all knew that I was prone to lashing out and eviscerating anyone who remotely threatened me. No amount of begging for mercy swayed me. I hadn’t survived this long by being merciful.
After my father had betrayed Tommaso Vitale over fifteen years ago, I’d dedicated myself to becoming the most powerful, indispensable capo in our organization. My feigned loyalty had saved my life and made me untouchable. Now, Tommaso was finally dead, and his precious, coddled heir was in my power. My victory was almost complete.
I turned my attention to Giuseppe. “Tell me about the Russian’s movements. We’ll make them bleed for this.”
He began to enumerate the Bratva’s crimes against us. As he spoke, Nora stiffened, until her muscles locked up tight. I glanced at her, distracted by her tense demeanor. Her eyes were lowered so that her long lashes fanned her pale cheeks, and her delicate features were pinched with strain. Her small hands fisted in her lap, flexing as her father spoke about the Russians and securing the loyalty of Luca’s men.
Her obedience to my order for her silence should please me, but her posture made worry gnaw at my gut. Rather than sweetly submitting to me, she was on edge. I would’ve assumed she was furious with me for being a controlling bastard, but when Alberto spoke up, a light shiver raced over her.
I managed to keep most of my focus on the meeting, but my thoughts kept wandering to my wife. It was almost as though she was afraid rather than angry. Was she frightened that I would hurt her if she didn’t behave?
I gnashed my teeth, frustrated. I didn’t want Nora to truly fear me. I’d resolved to be patient with her, but I was bothered by the fact that she didn’t understand me yet. Once she accepted the darker nature of our sexual chemistry, she would stop fearing me.
She would stop hating me.
And she would forget all about Luca.
Luca watched Nora and me, his eyes staring daggers. My lips curved in a triumphant smile, and I stroked her hair. I’d dressed her in her own clothes for the meeting with my men, but now she was back in the lace that I preferred—an enticing shade of crimson this time.
She was still stiff in my arms, and she hadn’t so much as glanced at me since the meeting had begun.
“There’s no need to be so angry with me, little bird. You did very well. I’ll reward you later.”
Her lips pressed to a thin line, and she turned her face away. She wouldn’t look at me, but she wasn’t looking at Luca either.
Unease stirred in my gut. Something was wrong with my wife. Even though I couldn’t have tolerated defiance in front of my men, I enjoyed her fire. I’d expected her to rail at me that she didn’t want a reward, but she kept the stony silence that she’d maintained all afternoon.
“Are you hungry, pet?” I murmured, kissing her chilled cheek.
Maybe she was prickly because she needed to eat. I’d made sure she finished both of her meals so far today, but she was still too thin.
I’d soon remedy that. Dinner would be served any minute now. Already, we sat at the dining table with Luca taking his place opposite us, so that he could watch how I cared for my wife. How he’d never been worthy of her.