Chapter 5 Mock hint

Salvatore's P.o.v

Oh how I loved the expression on her face, I hadn't forgotten how her feisty words at me days ago had made me question why I didn't choke her right there and then but I guess the gods wants me to have my revenge anyways.

The 'You' that slipped out of her full lips brought joy to me.

Before I could answer, Nono's gruff voice cut through the tension like a knife.

"You two know each other?"

"Yes," I replied, not missing a beat.

"No," she said at the same time.

I tilted my head, a smirk tugging at my lip as I caught the way her fist clenched at her side. Ah. There it was. The fury. The confusion. The chaos brewing just beneath her carefully composed surface.

Delicious.

Nono narrowed his eyes at the both of us, clearly not convinced, but he let it go,for now. He waved a hand toward the hallway.

"Eva!" he barked.

The housemaid appeared within seconds. Mid-fifties, stern-faced, with salt-and-pepper hair pinned in a bun and a posture as stiff as ever. She had worked in the estate longer than I'd been alive. Loyal. Silent. Watching everything. I had wanted to let her go after the unfortunate event that happened the last time I visited Italy but thought against it.

"Yes, Don Saverio?" she said crisply.

"Show the bride to her room," he instructed, barely sparing the girl beside me another glance.

I watched Eva nod politely, then gesture for my new wife to follow. She hesitated, shooting me a scathing look, before turning sharply and walking away, her heels echoing with defiance.

I didn't stop smirking until she disappeared up the stairs.

"Salvatore," Nono said, already walking toward his office. "Come."

I followed. Rafael and Adriano fell in behind me like shadows.

Once inside, the heavy wooden door clicked shut behind us. Nono rounded the desk and turned to face us, his age more apparent under the harsh chandelier light,but his presence still commanding. His words came hard and clipped.

"I don't trust Brian Rodrigo."

I raised a brow but didn't interrupt.

"I know that boy. He's not doing this alliance for peace. He's doing it because of the rift." His eyes narrowed. "He's still pissed about what happened years ago. Still holding a grudge. The way he let that girl come here so easily? Strange. Bold."

"But he requested for thirty percent of the company's shares, that's not easy, is it?" Rafael uttered, dipping his hand into his pocket, then pulling out a cigarette.

Nono stepped closer to me, jabbing a finger toward my chest.

"Put an eye on her."

I gave a slow, respectful nod. "Understood."

He grunted, satisfied, and then turned toward the door.

"I'm going to rest. Make sure everything stays clean tonight. No fireworks."

Then, with a wave of his hand: "And you two..." he pointed at my brothers,"leave the newlyweds alone!"

As he walked out, Adriano raised his brows and leaned closer with a smirk.

"Usa il preservativo, fratello," he muttered.

(Use protection, brother.)

Rafael chuckled low under his breath. "Or don't. Let's make this house interesting."

I rolled my eyes. "Idiots."

They both laughed as they exited, their voices trailing behind.

I was left alone in the office, the scent of old cigars and aged wood heavy in the air. Nono's words echoed in my head,not because I was worried about the Rodrigos, but because I wasn't the type to ignore a warning, even from a man I could outmaneuver in my sleep.

I walked to the nearby minibar, poured myself a glass of whiskey, and took a slow sip. I picked up my glass and walked out of office, only stopping when I saw her positioned outside the door, like a soldier waiting for her inferior.

...She was still dressed in her white gown, making me believe she had stubbornly refused to change out of it. The fabric clung to her like a second skin, and the neckline...wide and low,did nothing to hide the soft swells of her breasts that rose and fell with each breath.

She was livid, I could tell. But that fury only made her more breathtaking.

Fuck me.

She's hot.

I took a sip of my whiskey, then tilted my head as I let my gaze travel over her,slowly, deliberately. That wasn't a body meant to be hidden under silk and lace.

And she didn't even realize how sharp it was.

Or maybe she did.

"You've had plenty of time to change," I drawled, letting my eyes return to hers. "Unless you were hoping to seduce me into a wedding night after all?"

She scoffed, arms folding under her chest,only accentuating what I was already admiring.

"In your dreams, marito." Her voice was laced with venom. "Don't get confused by the dress or the ring. I don't care if you're my husband by name or by law. You will never touch me. Not now, not ever."

I took a step closer, pleased when she didn't back down. The air between us crackled like a fuse had just been lit.

"Is that a promise?" I murmured, watching the pulse in her throat flutter.

"It's a threat," she snapped, "and if you think being forced into this marriage makes you entitled to my body, I'll show you just how sharp my stilettos are."

God, she was something else.

I leaned down, lips close enough to feel her breath hitch. "You think I want a woman who can't even say my name without spitting? You're not my type, sweetheart. I prefer women who beg to be touched." I took a beat, letting that settle. "You? You just hiss and bark."

Her jaw tightened. "Better a hiss than a whimper."

I laughed,deep and low. "Good. Because you won't be doing any whimpering in my bed."

"Because I won't be in it."

I leaned even closer, my whisper curling into her ear like smoke. I love how she was looking up at me. The height difference, obvious. Her ocean blue eyes pinning down my dark ones "We'll see, wife. The thing about hatred,it has a very thin line between resistance and obsession. And I plan to walk it. Every. Damn. Day."

She shoved past me with a glare that could have shattered glass.

"I'd rather die."

I let her go this time, watching the sway of her hips in that cursed white dress as she climbed the stairs like she was marching to war.

"Keep your family out of my way tomorrow," I yelled out at her and threw back the content of the drink into my throat, relishing the hot sensation.

Already hating how tomorrow will play out.