Page 6 of His Bride

But when I turn, Valentina has already melted into the crowd, leaving me alone to face the wolf at my door.

I straighten my spine, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. I may be terrified, but I refuse to let him see it. I am Adriana Moretti, and I will not cower.

Dante stops a few feet away, close enough that I can smell his cologne – a heady mix of sandalwood and something darker, more primal. His lips curve into a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Adriana,” he says, my name rolling off his tongue like smoke and honey. “At last we meet.”

I swallow hard, willing my voice to remain steady. “Mr. Rossi. It’s a pleasure.”

His smile widens a fraction, amusement dancing in those steel-gray eyes. “Please, call me Dante. We are to be married, after all.”

The casual reminder of our impending union makes my stomach knot in apprehension. I force a smile of my own, hoping it doesn’t look as strained as it feels. “Of course… Dante.”

He takes a step closer, and I resist the urge to back away. “I must say, the descriptions of your beauty didn’t do you justice.”

It should be a compliment, but the edge in his tone makes it sound more like a threat. I feel like a rabbit caught in a snare, heart pounding as the hunter approaches.

“Thank you,” I manage, hating how breathy my voice sounds. “You’re very kind.”

Dante chuckles, the sound low and dangerous. “I’ve been called many things, tesoro, but ‘kind’ is rarely one of them.”

Before I can formulate a response, he reaches out, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear. The touch is feather-light, but it makes me tremble.

“Tell me, Adriana,” he says, leaning in close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. “Are you afraid of me?”

The question catches me off guard. I open my mouth to deny it, to put on a brave face, but the words stick in my throat. Lying, I suspect, would be a grave mistake.

“Yes,” I finally respond, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. “But I won’t let that stop me from doing what needs to be done.”

Something flashes in Dante’s eyes – approval, perhaps? Or maybe just amusement at my bravado. Either way, he steps back, giving me room to breathe.

“Good,” he says, his voice tinged with satisfaction. “Fear is a healthy response. It will serve you well in our world.”

Our world. The phrase sends a chill through me, a stark reminder of the life I’m about to step into. A world of shadows and violence, where loyalty is currency and mercy is a weakness.

“And what if I don’t want to be part of your world?” The words slip out before I can stop them, fueled by a surge of defiance.

Dante’s expression hardens, his eyes turning to flint. “You don’t have a choice, tesoro. The moment your father signed that contract, you became mine.”

Anger flares in my chest, hot and bright. “I’m not a piece of property to be traded,” I hiss, my fear momentarily forgotten. “I’m a person, with my own thoughts and feelings.”

“Of course you are,” Dante replies, his tone patronizing. “A beautiful, spirited person who will make an excellent wife and mother to my children.”

The casual dismissal of my autonomy makes my blood boil. I stiffen when his hand moves to his pocket, withdrawing a small velvet box. My breath catches in my throat, knowing what it contains.

Dante opens the box with a practiced motion, revealing a ring that gleams wickedly in the soft light of the ballroom. The diamond at its center is massive, ostentatious in its size and clarity. It’s a statement piece, a symbol of wealth and power that makes my stomach churn.

“This belongs to you now,” Dante says.

I stare at the ring, my heart sinking. This is it, the moment that seals my fate. With trembling fingers, I reach out to take the box, but Dante catches my hand.

“Allow me,” he insists, plucking the ring from its velvet nest.

I watch, frozen, as he slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit, as if it was made for me.

“Beautiful,” Dante says, but his eyes aren’t on the ring. They’re fixed on my face, observing my reaction with an intensity that makes me feel exposed.

I force a smile, one that doesn’t reach my eyes. “It’s… certainly impressive,” I manage, struggling to find words that won’t offend.

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