Page 30 of Daddy's Mad Love

My body still buzzed from his attentions. Everything was sore. I could not move without thinking of him, and I wanted to scream when I realized it.

I dressed as quickly as I could, ignoring how sensitive my body was. I put my clothing on like armor, covering myself up and making myself look respectable even though I did not feel so. I explored the room as much as I dared.

Not a single thing that could be used as a weapon. Not even among his bathroom supplies—no razor.

Not that I fooled myself into thinking that I could overpower him. Not after our wedding night. My bottom clenched automatically, as though it could push out the memory, the way it had been unable to push out his cock. I sniffled as tears sprang to my eyes at the shameful memory.

Though it was not nearly as shameful as the way I’d given in to him this morning, and the ecstatic climax I’d experienced despite everything. Time and time again, he proved to have mastery over my body, regardless of what I wanted. Taking a deep breath, I looked at myself in the mirror.

Today was a new day.

But this morning…

I had not gotten up yet. It did not count. My new life started now. I was no longer Hailey Bianco or Hailey McQueen; I was now Hailey DiNardo, and it was time to find out what I could do.

14

Hailey

The clothing I’d chosen truly did feel like armor when I stepped outside my room and found myself facing one of DiNardo’s men. I’m a DiNardo now. I recognized him as he’d been around, but this was the first time I’d been on my own with him. He looked at me with a dark, hooded gaze. Tall and broad-shouldered, his suit could not disguise his beefy build. He had a cauliflower left ear, like that of a boxer, and there was a thin scar running through his right eyebrow.

“H-Hello,” I stammered. He did not return the greeting. A blush rose in my cheeks. How long had he been standing out here? Had he been able to hear anything this morning? Last night? I cleared my throat. “I’m Hailey.”

He stared at me for a moment longer before finally responding.

“Tomas.” His voice was low and gruff, which matched his looks. Anyone walking down a dark street and seeing him coming toward them would cross the street immediately.

“Hello, Tomas. I’m going to have breakfast.” I squared my shoulders and started off down the hall. He followed after me, a lumbering, threatening shadow, though I don’t think he was meant to be threatening to me. Not unless I tried to escape.

But where would I go?

Bleakness suffused me.

The police would not help me. My grandfather certainly wouldn’t. Clara’s would probably be the first place Giacomo would look… and if I wasn’t there, he might use her to punish me, anyway. The stinging soreness of my bottom reminded me of what happened when I tried to free myself from him.

The only other option was to… give in?

For now.

Until I learned more about the family. Until I found another avenue of escape. I would have to bide my time. And, hopefully, lull everyone into a sense of complacency when it came to my cooperation. It would be far easier to get away if no one thought I was going to try to. Which would likely take time and certainly could not happen with a giant shadow on my heels.

So, I went to the dining room like the good girl Giacomo had called me and sat down very gingerly to eat my breakfast. Mrs. Valachi fussed about me, making sure I had everything I wanted. My food had scarcely appeared in front of me before Serena appeared, beaming at me.

“My dear! How are you this morning? I am so sorry my husband called yours away,” she laughed lightly as she sat down at the table. As if I should be sad that Giacomo had been pulled from our bed and that I was given a respite from him. But I did not want to upset her, and if I was going to lower everyone’s suspicions, my new mother-in-law was a good place to start.

“I am fine, thank you.” I shrugged. “And you?” I did not comment on Giacomo’s absence. I was not sure my acting skills would extend that far. Besides, it would be suspicious if I had an overnight turnaround.

Especially after last night.

“Annoyed with my husband, of course.” She sighed, but she was still smiling at me as though she didn’t have a care in the world. “But he insisted Jack was needed for today’s meeting with your grandfather.”

My hand slipped, my fork clattering loudly against the plate, jarring my nerves almost as much as her casual statement.

“My grandfather?” Every muscle in my body tensed. I wanted nothing to do with that man.

“Yes. These men and their meetings.” She waved off the announcement with a little twist of her hand that did nothing to reassure me. Nothing my grandfather did could be trusted. The fact that he wanted to meet with Giacomo and his father the day after our wedding…

My mind raced. What could he want with them? It was not as if our marriage meant I suddenly stood to inherit or anything. My breath caught as I realized I was… worried?

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