Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“You do realize this is Antonio DeLuca we're talking about, right? No one tells him no.”
“I guess I'll be the first,” I tell her, shrugging.
Emilia looks me over, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Well, in that case, let's get you dressed so we can go find you some clothes.” She hands me a pair of strappy sandals and a pair of jeans and a shirt. “In fact, we should probably buy a plain white dress, just in case.” She says the last part more for herself, but I catch it anyway.
“I'm not getting married, so there's no need,” I argue.
“Even so, every girl needs a nice white dress in her arsenal. Just humor me,” she suggests. There's something in her gaze, something knowing.
I sigh. “I don't really want to go shopping.” Thinking about everything I own being destroyed makes going shopping feel pointless. My father will just destroy whatever I buy.
“If you're really going to turn down Antonio, it'd better be in clothes you're comfortable in that are in your size,” she cajoles.
“I'm not getting married,” I huff.
Emilia laughs as she goes through her bag.
I'm starting to feel like everyone knows he's getting his way.
Crap… I'm doomed.
antonio
“Are you wearing that to our wedding, il mio tesoro?” I ask as I walk into the main room. Melina is talking to Emilia, Niko, and, of all people...fucking Victorio.
This sends my mind spiraling, grasping for ideas on what to do with him. I need to find that man somewhere to go. I’m not sure promoting him to replace Niko will work. It isn't far enough away. Perhaps I should send him to Greece to oversee Marco.
That idea has a lot of merit.
Melina looks beautiful, but she's wearing distressed jeans and a gray t-shirt that says Not today asshole in bold, blue letters across the chest. I’m pretty sure that’s a message to me. My lips twitch. I'll have a lot of fun punishing her for that a little later. I quirk my eyebrow, waiting for her response. I don't miss the slight twitch of Emilia's smile as she pretends to talk to Niko about something while Melina shakes her head, finally looking up at me.
“I said no to the proposal, remember?”
I sigh as I walk over to her. I don't know what I thought would happen by not dealing with it sooner. I wanted her to come around to the idea. I wanted this to go easier.
I lean down in front of her, brushing her hair away from her ear.
“You're always pushing me, aren't you, Lina?” I whisper.
“I… don't mean to,” she stammers.
“I think you do,” I tell her. “I think you know that no matter what happens, you're safe with me. You’ve never had that before, so you keep testing your wings. With me, Lina, you can spread them fucking wide.”
“Antonio,” she breathes.
Just the sound of my name on her lips has me wanting to rush through this and get it over with. I want her back in my bed, her body completely open to me and those pretty lips whispering my name again and again.
I cup the side of her face, letting my thumb stroke along her cheekbone. I wish she knew how precious she is becoming to me. That will have to come with time, though. “Just remember, il mio tesoro, whatever happens, you will be safe with me.”
Her body jerks as she stares at me. I see the panic in her eyes, along with the worry etched in the lines on her forehead. I don't particularly like that I have to do things in this manner. Yet, she has left me with no choice. I didn't want to start off this way. Still, it’s imperative she has my name and protection far and wide. I know this is the best option for her, and I would do anything to make sure she's taken care of. She might hate me for manipulating her, but I can only hope that eventually, she will understand.
“What are you—” I kiss her to stop her from asking, from talking. I pull back the second her body relaxes, letting her catch her breath.
“Just remember that I would cut off my own arm before I did anything to hurt you, sweetheart.”
I glance over my shoulder at my men standing guard. “It's time. Emilia, give us ten minutes, and Victorio can escort you two to my office suites downstairs.”
Emilia nods, fidgeting in her seat, looking as if she wants to say something. I don't linger, and that’s partly because I don’t want to give her a chance to join in with Melina’s arguments. I kiss my woman’s forehead. I stand slowly, giving her one last look before walking off. The other men follow me. Niko rushes to my side, taking big strides to keep up.