Page 3 of Falling for the Enemy

Not in the slightest.

How could it when the double-crossing mudak is far from the first to lose control of his bladder or bowels when staring death—me—in the face?

Cowards. Every one of them.

More than ready to rectify the biggest mistake I ever made by agreeing to marry a man most would consider an enemy, but that I wrongly saw as an unwavering ally and worthy partner, I step into the small space between his spread legs, my knees touching the insides of his bloody ones.

Ignoring the creaking of the chair, along with his muffled shouts and barely coherent pleas for mercy, I press the tip of the razor-like blade to his chin. Humming, I drag the metal down his neck and shuddering chest, leaving a thin trail of blood in the knife’s wake.

Right above his heart, I stop.

Silence envelops the room, and I look up, meeting his terrified gaze. The tears that now roll down his eldest son’s face would disgust Stefano.

Just as they do me.

At the sight of such weakness, I chastise myself for what seems like the millionth time for agreeing to marry such a gutless—not to mention stupid—waste of flesh. If possible, Capone’s courage and brains are as diminutive as his useless cock.

If only I’d seen the light sooner.

“Cara mia—”

My fury goes from leashed to unbridled lightning quick. “Never,” I snap, body trembling with the desire to sink the knife heart-deep, ending this once and for all, “call me that again.”

He tenses, his breath seizing.

“Not in this life or the next.” I rip the gag from between his lips and cup his jaw. “I am not your beloved. I never have been, and I never will be. What I am, however, is the woman that’s about to send you exactly where you belong.” With my hammering pulse filling my ears, my wicked smile returns. “Your grave.”

I lower my hand and grasp his shoulder, giving myself the leverage I need. My grip on the knife’s handle tightens, but before I can make my final move, he shatters the near silence that has descended, and I still.

“Don’t do this!” he shouts, his panicked words no longer muffled by the cloth. “You kill me, and it’ll start a war!”

I trail my knuckles up his neck. “After what you and your father tried to do, not only to me but to Mina as well, that’s exactly what I’m counting on.”

With my death, my sister’s life would’ve been in grave danger. My men would have given their lives to protect her, but if Stefano had gotten his hands on her, he would’ve shown no mercy.

For that alone, La Famiglia will burn.

No one touches or threatens Mina.

Not anymore.

My hand falls to my side, and I lean forward. Lips moving to hover over his ear, I exhale, letting the warmth of my breath ghost over his sweat-slicked skin. “I would never have submitted to you as you’ve always craved, but I would’ve gone to war for you and La Famiglia both.”

Pain attempts to ignite within me again.

But like before, it’s quickly snuffed out.

“Instead...” I lean back and straighten, my frigid stare locking with his terrified one once more. “I’m going to shred your heart to pieces, then have Casper toss your corpse onto your father’s front stoop.”

One week.

That’s all Stefano gets to grieve.

After that, it’ll be his life I take.

“Ari, please,” he pleads, his cowardice on full display. Again. Why can’t he take his punishment for betraying me like the hardened mafioso he’s supposed to be? Enough with the begging. “I know I fucked up by agreeing to what my father and uncle wanted, but I never lied when I said I love you.”

His words are the final straw.

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