weigh heavily on my shoulders. Grabbing onto the marble counter just to have something to hang onto, I count back from ten in my mind. By the time I reach zero, I’m a sliver less likely to have a full-on mental breakdown. The door to the bedroom creaks open, and I step out of the bathroom just in time to see Matteo walking into my room, his dark hair is slicked back, and the suit he wears clings to his body like a second skin. He looks every bit as evil as I know he is.
“My dear, you look so beautiful.” He reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the skin. I do my best not to tug from his grasp.
“Thank you, you look great as well.”
Dropping my hand, he smiles, his eyes twinkling with appreciation. “I wanted to let you know that I’m very proud of you. I didn’t think you would do it, but like always, you surprise me.”
He’s referring to my breakup with Zane. Great, now he wants to talk about it.
“It had to happen, it was him or my obligation to the family, and I wasn’t going to choose some man over you. You’re the only family I have, and the last thing I want to be is a disappointment.” I bat my eyes for effect and watch as the mask on his face melts away like a chocolate bar sitting on steaming hot pavement.
“You could never disappoint me. You have Castro blood running through your veins. It’s not in us to do such a thing.” I almost snort at his response but suppress it at the last second, and instead, cover it up with a massive smile.
“Shall we get to the party?” I ask in an overly excited tone.
“We shall.” He smiles down at me, and I try not to sink deeper into the uneasiness that’s pooling around my feet. As we descend the stairs, people cheer, and I realize then that the festivities have already started. My eyes collide with Alberto’s dark ones. He’s waiting at the end of the stairs for us. I can see the desire rolling off of him in waves.
He thinks he has a chance, a shot at being with me. He doesn’t know shit. My father passes me off to him, and I take his arm in mine, ignoring the churning in my gut that his touch brings. Matteo dismisses me and starts chatting with two men that look to be of some importance.
“You look absolutely divine,” Alberto murmurs into the shell of my ear as he guides me through the maze of people. I recognize a few faces from the previous welcome home party, but none of the names from that night stuck, so all over again, I feel lost in a sea of unknown faces. It’s even worse this time because Zane isn’t here.
My chest tightens at the thought of him, and it feels like someone is using my heart as a damn stress ball.
“Look how excited everyone is to see us together.” Alberto tightens his hold on me, almost as if he’s trying to show everyone how possessive he is. “I can’t wait to make you my wife and solidify our stronghold over the west. No one will think to try and fight us.”
I don’t dare tell him the only thing he’s going to be looking forward to is his death because then that would ruin the surprise. Smiling up at him because there are so many wandering eyes, and I need to continue to play the part, I let him walk me through the double French doors and outside. The garden has been transformed into a party area with a buffet, tables, and chairs.
The space is decorated with fresh cut roses, tea lights, and string lights that hang above the entire area. They twinkle like stars and give the place a more intimate and elegant feel. It’s beautiful, breathtaking, and I kind of hate that Matteo put something as great as this together. A man as evil as him, shouldn’t be allowed to come up with such beautiful things.
Alberto and I take our seats at the head table, a flute of wine is shoved into my hands, and I take tiny sips of it as I’m forced to endure small talk with my father’s guests.
“I can’t wait to fuck you raw,” Alberto leans over halfway through the dinner and whispers into my ear.
I feel disgust slither through me