Page 29 of Heartless Union

Lara nods but doesn’t look at me.

I stand up, and it takes her a moment to do the same. She’s shivering. Normally, I wouldn’t notice things like that, but Lara is my wife now, and I’m finding I notice more things about her, whether I like it or not.

“Are you cold?” I ask.

She wraps her arms around herself and shakes her head.

“Then why are you shivering?”

Her eyes flash up to mine before ducking back down. “I’m nervous.”

“About what?”

“It’s our wedding night, Rocco.”

“So?”

She huffs. I don’t like to see that kind of subtle disobedience. “I’m not comfortable talking about this here.” She nods at her father, who’s glancing at us.

“Then let’s go.” I take her hand and walk through the dance floor of people, so they notice me leave. I get a lot of nods of respect. Good. But then my eyes land on Carlo and Dante, who smile smugly. Bastards.

Once Lara and I are out of the ballroom and in the elevator heading up to our room for the night does she speak again.

“It’s our wedding night,” she says again. “I’m nervous.”

“Why?”

“Because …” She pauses, looking up at me. “Do you really not get it?”

“Get what?”

“It’ll be my first time,” she whispers.

Then it dawns on me. “Oh. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“I don’t?”

“No. I’ll be gentle with you. I promise. I don’t want to physically hurt you, Lara. I’ve already made that clear. You don’t have anything to be nervous about.”

“But I’m still nervous.”

I step closer to her. “But I just told you that you don’t need to be nervous.”

“You can’t just tell me to feel one way and expect it to happen. I still have my feelings, Rocco.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Most people don’t have any issue following my orders.”

“But I’m not your employee. I’m your wife.”

Before I can answer, the elevator opens, and a young man and woman enter. They’re talking excitedly to each other, holding hands, and sharing small kisses. It’s the opposite of Lara and me.

The woman glances at us. “Oh. Congratulations!”

Lara’s smile is tense. “Thank you.”

She turns back to her partner and laughs. I grit my teeth. Lara and I are silent the rest of the way to our floor. I storm past the happy couple on my way out, Lara following obediently.

I enter our suite and don’t bother taking in the luxury. I turn to Lara immediately.

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