Page 11 of Mafia King's Bride

“You’re no fun. I used to like you because you were less talk and more action, but you’ve lost your spark. Is it because of your wife? Is she not pleasing you enough? You know?—”

I shake my head when she opens her coat completely, stepping forward and leaving it on the floor. There’s nothing on her body but lingerie and a garter. “If you wanted to get married that bad, you could’ve asked me. I’m not a fan of commitment, but I would’ve done it for you.”

I scoff. The sight of her body no longer turns me on. That’s how easy it is to turn off my emotions, even the strong ones like lust and anger—with anyone at all. The only person I’m having a problem with is Ana.

No matter how much I try, the thought and sight of her evokes a reaction.

Like last night.

When she told me that she wasn’t going to be like everyone else, that I’d better give my ego a reality check, or she was going to do it for me.What the?—

“You could’ve done things the usual way, you know.” Lucia runs her hand over her chest and cups her breasts. “My father has enough influence to buy you connections overseas. Not just here. Now everyone thinks you’ve forgiven the man who betrayed you. Who didn’t even wait until your father’s body was in the grave to steal from you. Undermining your ability to lead, to step into your father’s shoes.”

“Get. Out.” My words are deathly cold, and my throat is choked with emotions too hard to swallow. My eyes sink into hers with a fury that has her staggering back out of fear.

Because she knows what I’m capable of.

“You were a pest seconds ago,” I say harshly. “But now, the sight of you disgusts me. Leave.”

When Lucia doesn’t move as quickly as I want her to, I call Jakob.

He walks into the office as she’s picking up her coat, and Lucia’s face turns red when she sees him. It’s a message—you’re worth nothing to me, so if you’re going to be on display, you might as well show everyone.

“See her out.”

“I hate you,” she whimpers, hastily buttoning her coat and grabbing her bag as she storms out of my office, her heels clicking on the floor.

I immediately raise my fist as the door closes, and it takes every last shred of my will to keep from breaking it on the hard, almost impenetrable wood.

“Fuck.” I run my fingers through my hair. “Fuck!”

This is Nikolai’s fault.

No.I shake my head. It’s mine. I’m the one who chose to take his daughter and nothing more. I should send a message that makes it clear I have no dealings with him.

Nothing at all.

Jakob returns to my office when I call him.

“I want you to round up five men. Take them to any establishment belonging to Nikolai Petrov and give them instructions to cause enough ruckus to send a clear message that we aren’t cordial. Got it?”

He nods firmly. “Yes, boss.”

“Go.”

And if that doesn’t work, I’ll have to step in personally. For everyone’s sake, I hope it doesn’t come down to that.

Janet opensthe door for me, slightly bowing in greeting.

“Good evening, Janet.”

She collects my bag and jacket, heading to my room to drop them off. I called beforehand to inform her that I wouldn’t be eating dinner again. I didn’t tell her it was because I was in a foul mood, which I still am.

I head for the stairs and then decide to go to my study to attend to an email I received on my way home. A meeting with Lucia’s father—who must’ve gotten a call from his whiny, entitled daughter.

In a way, I admire her relentlessness, and I intend to use the meeting to my advantage, but it’s pesky and bothersome that she doesn’t know when she’s not wanted.

At least when it comes to me.

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