Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 172(@200wpm)___ 138(@250wpm)___ 115(@300wpm)
She couldn’t help but snort. “Security. This is a benefit for abused wives. My own mother is at home right now sporting a black eye.” She had seen it on her last visit.
Giovanni slammed his lips down on hers, and she cupped his face, loving the kiss so damn much. She wished they were home, not here at this spectacle.
“I know, baby, but tonight, we have to play the roles we’re dealt. I will never pass you over for a mistress. I have no intention of ever getting one.”
He’d told her this multiple times in the past few days. Valentina was almost afraid to ask what he truly meant by that. Was this his declaration of … love? Of fidelity? In their world, that didn’t happen. Their match wasn’t based on love. She was a reward to him, a trophy.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Not once in all her twenty-one years had she ever heard her father ask her mother that question. “Yes.”
“I need you by my side, Valentina. We have to show a united front. Those men out there need to know that you’re not some delicate flower that can easily be shoved to one side. You’re so much better than that.” He cupped her face. “Please, for tonight.”
She’d never been begged before, or asked, or pleaded. Staring at Giovanni, she had a feeling if she demanded he take her home, he’d do it, but then what would that show these men? Would they believe him to be weak? She had no doubt it would. The men always judged in the moment, rather than an entire lifetime of actually doing stuff for Thomas Rossi.
Valentina slid her hand down his arm and then captured his hand. “I’m ready.”
Giovanni was already breaking so many rules in bringing her here. The least she could do was play the part of being his submissive, willing wife.
He’d already given her so much. In the past couple of months of being married to him, she no longer felt like a damaged, insignificant person. That was how people treated her. Especially her father. He’d been so disappointed in her kidnapping. He didn’t care that she’d been hurt, and he didn’t care about the nightmares that had plagued her. All he could think about was what an inconvenience she was since he couldn’t get rid of her.
Valentina refused to think about it. She pushed those memories right down deep, where they didn’t deserve to surface, not even for a second.
Stepping out from the alcove, Giovanni threaded her hand through his arm, keeping their hands locked together as they made their way through the mockery of a benefit. At least something good would come of this.
Several of the men stopped and stared at them. A waiter offered them champagne, and Giovanni grabbed two glasses, letting her go to grab them both and then offer her one. She’d never been much of a champagne, wine, or any kind of alcohol drinker, but with the stares they were getting, she intended to make an exception.
“They’re staring, Giovanni,” she said, leaning in close to him.
“They want you.” He placed a hand around her hip, drawing her close. “Not that I could blame them. Of course they would want you.”
“Giovanni, as always it is so good of you to come.”
She looked to see Thomas Rossi approaching with a woman who was easily thirty years his junior. This wasn’t a surprise. The men always liked to take young wives and young mistresses as well.
Her husband shook the Boss’s hand, and she tried not to draw too much attention to herself.
“And of course you know my wife, Valentina Romano.”
She wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. He’d been at their wedding. She’d never been formally introduced to him.
Offering her hand, she was polite, giving him the docile smile expected of her.
“Your wife. She certainly does look stunning,” Thomas said.
She bowed her head. “Pleasure to see you again, Mr. Rossi.” She had no idea what else to say to him.
Giovanni squeezed her hip, and to any onlooker, they’d notice the way he tightened his grip on her, drawing her back against him.
Thomas nodded his head. “We do need to talk later.”
“Certainly.”
That was business, and Valentina wanted to ask so many questions. Instead, she had no choice but to smile at the younger woman. She checked her over for any signs of pain, but there was nothing. No bruises in sight.
She sipped at her champagne as they moved through the crowds. She finished her first glass, and Giovanni waited at least half an hour before allowing her to have another. Valentina didn’t mind him monitoring her alcohol consumption. The last thing she wanted to do was to make a fool of herself in front of these men or embarrass her husband.
After an hour, one of the guards came to Giovanni’s side, and she felt him tense.