Page 49 of The Billionaire's Pact

I pressed my lips together and put my phone away, and with a wave, we left the restaurant, where his security quickly moved us inside the limousine. Once we were in our seats and moving, a wave of nausea soured my stomach. Would she call my grandparents? Would they be upset? Not if she doesn’t call. I texted her.

Adelina: Just drop it, Mama. It was a good evening. Talk to you later.

Rocco cursed under his breath.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“No, it’s not.” He roughly untied his bow tie and unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, my pulse picking up.

He took off his jacket and hung it on a hook. “I thought your grandparents were rude for not coming tonight, but your mother was worse. I couldn’t believe how she treated my parents,” he snarled.

My cheeks warmed. “She was caught off guard coming into the city for the party—”

“Was she? She was all dolled up, ate the food, drank the champagne, and didn’t stop flapping her lips complaining,” he gritted.

I folded my arms. “Don’t talk about my mother like that. You don’t know her and all she’s been through—”

“That’s the point, Adelina. We don’t know her. She never gave any of us a chance to.” He tugged my arm down and touched the engagement ring. “Did you see her face when she saw you? She was pissed. You looked stunning, all dressed up, and not in the rags she and your grandmother had kept you in. You laughed, danced, and had fun. My family is very pleased with you.”

I pulled my hand away and grimaced. My throat thickened. So that’s the reason for everything. He’s so proud of cleaning up the poor girl. Tears threatened to fall, and I wouldn’t dare show them. The last thing I wanted was more of his pity. My focus went to the door handle, wanting to open it and run away from my thoughts. But I couldn’t. Rocco brought up again how he found me that first night. He saw my family as cruel, classless. That’s all I’d be to them, a lowly charity case.

“Adelina?” Rocco touched my arm.

I scooted further away from him on the seat.

“What’s going on? Please talk to me.” His voice had softened, but that didn’t change anything.

My lips pursed and I crossed my arms. “So that’s what tonight was all about, Rocco? You dressing me up like some show pony for your family?”

“What are you talking about?” Rocco asked.

“I’m talking about you giving the poor girl some fancy clothes and a kiss. Is that all it takes? You think I’ll just melt all over you—”

“Yes, I do. You will melt for me, Adelina. And you will love it,” Rocco hissed.

I turned my head away, and he clasped it, turning it back to face him. His mouth pressed hard to mine, his tongue parting my lips, thrusting into the deeper recesses of my mouth. I kissed him back just as fiercely, grabbing his head and pulling him closer. He made me angry; he made me want him more. I pushed his chest, and we broke apart, panting. But he didn’t move away.

He captured my chin and lifted it so that I could look at him. “You’re going to be my wife, Adelina, even if your mother throws a tantrum. She doesn’t control me—”

“Is that why you pulled your power crap to stop me from seeing her off?” I snapped.

He nodded. “That’s right. Poison takes effect. Your mother knew she hadn’t dropped enough poison in your head, so she tried to drop more before she left.”

I moved his hand. “I’m not easily manipulated….” I hesitated on those words. That didn’t even ring true to my ears. But Mama had a hard life, and she was trying to help me in her own way. “I didn’t even agree with my mother, but you don’t know all she’s been through.”

Mama did what she’d always done to get me on her side. She’d pulled my heartstrings, and I rode in like a champion to slay anyone who harmed her. “She’s fragile.”

“What about you, Adelina? I haven’t heard you say one thing about your feelings? Being your soon-to-be husband also means I protect you. No one hurts you, not even family, and that includes mine.”

My pulse sped up, and I touched my throat. Nothing got past him, and he was concerned about my feelings? So few in my life ever considered them. A flush of adrenaline tingled through my body. But Rocco did.

The car stopped, and I heard the driver’s door close. Rocco sat there.

“Are we getting out?” I asked.

He blew out his breath. “Not yet. I know you don’t know me yet, but I want you to. Tonight was for you.” His tone changed to gentle, soothing.

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