Page 18 of Brutal Husband

“Is someone there?” I ask.

Nero doesn’t turn around. “No one’s there.”

I take a step toward the stairs, but Nero takes my jaw in his hand and makes me look at him. I hunt the depths of his eyes for a spark of love, but perhaps it’s too dark in here to see anything other than his almost-black liquid irises.

“Rieta. We’re talking about us.”

I glance past him to the top of the stairs. Nothing moves. Maybe I imagined it. “Then promise.”

His fingers tighten infinitesimally on my jaw. “I promise, Rieta. If this marriage fails, it won’t be because of me.”

As Mom, Isabel, Mia, and I walk to Mom’s car, Mom reaches for my left hand and examines it in the semi-darkness. The diamond is sparkling on my finger.

“Still engaged?” she asks.

“Still engaged.”

Mom drops my hand with a smirk. “I’m happy for you, Rieta. You deserve a man like Nero Lombardi.”

6

Nero

Exquisite Excellent Bridal Shop has a large, accommodating front window, especially if you wish to sit outside in your car and spy on your fiancée. Not in the Maserati. She might have seen that, so today I’m driving an understated black Mercedes.

Rieta has been inside for two hours with her mother and elder sister. Giulia Bianchi sits on a white sofa, a glass of champagne in one hand, an arm crossed over her body, and wearing a cold expression. There’s a scarf knotted around her throat, but as she turns her head, I can make out the bruises that I put there. I bare my teeth in a feral grin. Choking is too good for an evil bitch like her. She should have her head caved in with a tire iron.

I turn my attention back to Rieta and see that she has emerged from the dressing room wearing a lace off-the-shoulder dress that clings to her tits and hips and spreads out in a long, voluminous skirt. That’s it.

That’s the dress.

The one I want to see her wearing as she walks down the aisle toward me. She’s my perfect princess ready to be spoiled, protected, and fucked raw again and again until she’s pregnant. I’ve been craving a family of my own for years, but it’s never been the right time. Is now the time, despite everything? Every problematic, complicated, difficult fucking thing?

Rieta is beaming at her reflection. She seems to ask her mother and sister what they think. The sister claps her hands excitedly. Giulia’s expression remains cold. If she says something cruel and Rieta’s happy face drops, I will go in there and rip that woman apart.

Giulia shrugs one shoulder and mutters a word. I think it’sfine. It’s more than fine. Rieta is stunning.

The next time Rieta emerges from the changing rooms, she’s wearing her regular clothes, and the three women leave the boutique and walk up the street. I start my car and follow them a few paces behind.

Isabel gets into her car and drives away. So does Giulia.

Rieta is still walking along the street. I pull up next to her, lean over, and push the passenger side door open.

“Cara mia.”My darling. I’ve called her that from the start, and it’s always felt right.

Rieta’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Nero, what are you doing here?”

“I was passing, and I saw you. Get in.”

“My car is just over there.” She points up the street.

“Would you like a kiss?” I ask, a friendly smile on my lips.

Rieta smiles. A moment later, she gets half into my car and puts her knee up on the passenger seat.

Got you.

I take my foot off the brake and lightly press the accelerator. As we move forward, Rieta squeals in surprise, plops into theseat, and pulls the door closed as I merge into traffic. “Nero, I thought you wanted a kiss.”

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