Page 92 of His Bride

The hair on the back of my neck rises, chills slithering down my back.

“She sure is,” Frank replies, walking closer, his leering gaze practically violating me. “Really makes you appreciate what a man will do for beauty, doesn't it?” Frank's words leave a sour taste in my mouth.

Aurelio gives a hearty laugh, his grip further tightening on my knee. I fight the urge to jerk away from him, keeping the facade of a willing participant. All I need is the right opportunity and I’ll have a piece of glass in his jugular within ten seconds.

I have no idea where this bloodlust is coming from or what’s feeding it—maybe it’s the overwhelming compulsion to be with the man I love without any threat looming over us. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of constantly fighting and just want it all to end so I can live my life the way I want to…with him…Caelian.

Aurelio stands and starts to circle me like a predator, taking in the sight of me trapped in his domain.

“It would be a shame for one man to keep this beauty all to himself,” he says, a smirk playing on his lips, dragging a finger along my naked shoulder. Every nerve ending screams at the contact, a shiver of dread slithering into my gut.

I take a deep, steadying breath before looking up at him, my gaze hard but steady. “And it would be a shame for you to give to someone that which you haven’t had yourself.”

There’s a moment of silence as Aurelio's smirk fades, replaced with a cold glare. His hand pauses on my shoulder, and the tension in the room spikes to a tangible tightness.

Nerves are rampant in my blood.

Unable to sit still any longer, I stand—it’s risky, but I do it anyway—and walk over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. I’m acutely aware of him behind me, every instinct on high alert. But he doesn’t move, and I continue to gaze out the window.

“Frank,” Aurelio starts, “let’s sample some of my merchandise.”

My legs weaken, and I grab hold of the chair next to me. When I dare glance back at him, relief floods me when I see him over at the ostentatiously large glass table, chopping at a mound of cocaine with a gold credit card, the clink of metal against glass grating down my spine.

“Business is booming,” he says, not looking up as he cuts the white powder with practiced precision.

Frank Cortello, a shadow in the corner of the room, grunts an affirmation, his attention locked on the glowing screen of his phone.

“Market's ripe for the taking,” Frank replies, voice gravelly, as if every word scraped its way out of his throat.

Aurelio snorts a line, a sharp inhalation that seems to echo. I watch, my stomach churning, not just from disgust, but anticipation, too. Disgust because this man is a cesspool of vice,anticipation because every second he's distracted is a second closer to his downfall.

I imagine wrapping my fingers around one of those heavy crystal tumblers that line his shelves. How easily it would smash against the side of his head, how satisfying the weight would feel in my hand.

I clutch the crystal flute tighter. My mind races through scenarios, plotting trajectories and outcomes. A tumbler, a pen from his desk, the sharp edge of a picture frame—tools of retribution waiting to be wielded by my hand. Timing is everything, and patience will be my sharpest weapon.

“Giana, you should try this. You won’t get this quality snow anywhere else in this city.” He wipes his nose on the back of his hand, the residue of his indulgence stark against his skin.

I hold out my champagne. “This is strong enough for me tonight. But thanks.”

Frank chuckles. “Your future wife doesn’t seem to like your products, Le Fonti.”

Fuck. The last thing I need is for this old pervert to light a fire under Aurelio’s ass.

“Oh, I like his products,” I say, keeping my composure. “I just prefer to sample them when we’re alone. You know what they say about fucking on cocaine.”

Frank’s face reddens, a cough wracking his frame. Aurelio, however, breaks into raucous laughter. His eyes glint with something dangerous as he regards me, the corners of his smile stretched wide in amusement.

I’m treading on a thin line, but I need to get Frank to leave so I can be alone with Aurelio. I won’t stand a chance against two men, especially ones as predatory as these.

“Frank, I think it’s time for you to leave. I need to spend some quality time with my future bride.” I shiver at his words. “I’ll have your order ready in seventy-two hours.”

The moment the door shuts behind Frank, my heart lurches up my throat.

Aurelio snakes an arm around my waist, and I’m struggling to keep the bile down.This is it. This is where everything changes for me.

He pulls me closer, and I'm caught in his dark orbit, his vile mouth kissing along my shoulder. I’m barely able to breathe; my body is rigid with fear yet with an air of determination.

I can feel his hot, rancid breath, causing every hair on my neck to rise.

---