sorry, and make sure she's okay. But I can't stay here, not for another second. My cock has a mind of its own when I'm around Marzia Da Costa. "I have to go." I stand from the bed, smoothing down my shirt. "Try to paint yourself next. I'll come see it when I can."
"W-what?" She stares at me in disbelief. "You can't leave now."
"I have to." I hope she understands. I take one long moment to search her eyes for a clue of something I don't find. "I'll see you, Marzia. Thank you for that. For giving it to me."
I walk out of the room and carefully lock her in. She may have sworn not to run, but I don't believe her just yet.
"Had some fun with the Da Costa girl?" I look up to find my brother Julian leaning against the wall, smirking at me. "You know father wants her dead, don't you?"
"She's not going to fucking die," I hiss. "I'm not letting that happen."
"But even so," Julian goes on resolutely. "He won't let you have her. She's the enemy. You have to marry Nicoletta Carlucci."
"I know," I mutter, wishing he'd shut up for once and just go fuck one of the women that fawn over him. "You don't need to remind me."
"I'm just saying." Julian shrugs, pulling away from the wall. "Maybe it's time you spent a little time away from the Estate. Figure out what to do, or how to get over the girl. You'll have to do one or the other eventually."
"Fine," I hiss. "Just stop fucking lecturing me, would you?"
"I'm just being a good brother." He approaches me.
We stare at each other warily. I don't really trust Julian as much as I do my other brothers, but he's got a fucking point. Being so close to Marzia is scrambling my fucking brain. Even now, I almost allowed myself to give into temptation and fuck her. "I know," I manage. "Thanks, Julian. I'll spend some time away."
"Good." He claps me on the back. "I can keep an eye on her while you're away."
"Thank you." I manage a grumpy yet grateful smile. "I needed to hear that."
He walks away, leaving me with the knowledge that I'll have to walk away from Marzia, if only for a few days. I need to figure out a way to save her life and not marry Nicoletta, the girl she still knows nothing about. Now I just have to make fucking sure no one gives her the news. The last thing I need is Marzia pissed at me.
Because now that I've had her once, I've quickly realized I won't last long without a dose of my favorite enemy. The memory of her legs spread wide haunts me as I walk away, hoping she'll miss me while I'm gone.
16
Marzia
When his lips leave mine, my body shivers. I don't want him to stop kissing me, touching me. My body vibrates with the need to feel his hands on my bare skin. But Adrian doesn't succumb as easily to his desires as I do. I watch him walk out on me, unable to fight for his attention. I want to fucking scream, but I fight the urge to let him know how I'm really feeling. I'm already consumed with guilt over what I've done. How easily I gave into his demands... How ready and willing I was for Adrian to take it all.
I never felt this way about Vitto. At most, the thought of my husband-to-be filled me with a bit of hope, but it was always mixed with dread. My whole life, I never once imagined myself married to Vitto Donatti. No, instead I spent a decade fantasizing about the boy I couldn't have. And here he was now, ready to fight for my hand and ready to do anything it took to keep me.
Even if it means keeping me in a cage forever.
When the key turns in the door locking it, I lay on the bed, shaking. My naked body is exposed to the cool air and I'm afraid. Afraid of my connection with my captor, and afraid of what will happen to me if I give in to it.
Tossing and turning for an hour, I finally get back up. I tear a piece of paper from my sketchbook and write a letter to my brother. I tell him being here is hell. I tell him Adrian is a monster. I beg and beg for them to arrange an escape for me,