Page 34 of The Don's Soulmate

The candles flicker, casting cozy shadows across the bustling restaurant. She glances up at me now and then from in between perusing the menu, which she asked to see.

I pour her a glass of champagne. “I suggest you try the salmon,” I tell her. “It’s quite good.”

She hesitates, but then looks in my direction and closes the menu. “Why not?” she says.

I nod and place our orders. A steak, rare for me. The salmon for her.

“How’s the champagne?” I ask.

“Delicious,” she almost whispers, forcing back a sip.

“Don’t worry,” I joke. “There’s no women we’re bound to bang into tonight.”

I see a small frown between her eyebrows, and she doesn’t laugh.

“I hope you understand,” I continue. “It meant nothing. You do, don’t you? I can’t be marrying a woman who doesn’t trust me.”

“Yes, I understand,” she says flatly, picking up her glass and finishing it. I pour her another one.

“So, tell me, was it terrifying when that man shot your brother?”

She sucks in the air, unsure of where to look. She stares at her hands and nods.

“You should know,” I tell her. “When we’re married, you’d be safe in our home. You’ll never be alone, inside or when out. There will never be a situation whereby an enemy can weasel his way in.”

I see the doubt in her eyes,. I know what she’s thinking. Probably still blaming me for what happened that night. But what she doesn’t realize is thathewas the enemy. I did nothing wrong in laying a claim on my fiancé.

Our food arrives. She looks down at her plate, her fingers trembling as she forks the salmon. I reach over and cover her hand with mine, squeezing gently.

"It's okay, Carlotta," I say softly, my voice low and soothing. "We're just having a meal, nothing more."

She pulls her hand away and her green eyes dart around the room, like a caged animal searching for an escape. But there is none – not from me, not from our union.

“Have you thought about the ring?” I try to make her feel more comfortable, though I’m furious within. Her prima donna behavior, wanting to be pleaded with and begged to, won’t fly with me once we’re married.

“No, I haven’t,” she shakes her head.

“Of course it’ll be a huge diamond. I’m thinking six carats. Anything less is useless on those pretty fingers. Besides, people would expect Ugo Caputo to gift his wife something insane. Do you like clear diamonds? Colored? I’ve heard all the ladies drool over the pink ones now.”

At last, she looks up at me, her doe-shaped eyes fixed on mine. “I’d be happy with whatever my husband chooses to gift me,” she says.

“Good,” I slam the table jubilantly, and she almost jumps out of the chair. “We’ll get you the biggest, baddest diamond Rome’s ever seem. Il mondo combatterà per intravedere." -The world will fight to catch a glimpse.

I expect her to be excited, thrilled, to ask where I’d source the diamond from, how it’d be set. But instead, she just nods like a half-dead kitten and goes back to eating in silence. Except, she doesn’t really eat as much as toy around with her fork.

"Is everything to your liking, Carlotta?" I ask, feigning concern while silently annoyed at the sight of her squirming in her seat. She nods, but her silence speaks volumes. Defiance. Disrespect. Inwardly, I cherish the thought of breaking her, molding her intothe perfect wife – one who knows her place and obeys without question. One who ensures I don’t get bored in her company.

"Carlotta," I begin, sensing her unease and deciding to toy with her a bit more, "is the food to your liking? We can order something else."

Her eyes widen at my words, as if surprised by my sudden display of consideration. But she doesn’t let her guard down.

"Um, no, everything is...fine," she stammers, forcing a smile onto her face. "Thank you, Ugo."

"Of course, my dear," I reply, my voice dripping with false sincerity. "Your happiness is important to me, after all. If there’s anything else you’d like to do, anything at all, please do let me know."

Chapter 15

Carlotta

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