Page 58 of Tainted Ties

“Are you going to hurt me?” Her voice was small, a contrast to her usual boisterous self.

“Not tonight.”

After a much-needed long shower to relieve some tension on my body, I re-entered the bedroom, where I found my wife asleep.

Crossing the room, I sat on the window seat and leaned forward with my elbows resting on my knees, watching her as I always did. And Iloathedmyself for it.

My hands shook at having her near me and not knowing what to do.

It would be relatively easy to end her life right now while she was unconscious and rid myself of her.

The past week had been hell.

I was conflicted as fuck. Something I rarely experienced and it was Aurora who elicited this phenomenon.

It shouldn’t have bothered me as much as it had when she accused me of murdering Enzo and proceeded to leave without hearing what I had to say.

After all, she was a Bianchi, yet every step she took away from me left me questioning every morsel of lies I told myself regarding my feelings for her.

So, I let her go while watching her from a distance.

I stood and walked to the bed, looming over her.

Aurora’s guard had fallen if she was sleeping inmybed when she knew danger was all around her.

She looked at ease, and I couldn’t help myself as I caressed her soft cheek with my tainted fingers.

Her skin was warm, and Iitchedto touch more of her.

I wanted to scar her with my existence.

I grabbed the duvet and covered her with it before sitting back on the window seat.

I was in a predicament, one I didn’t know how to get out of. “What do I do with you now,anima mia?”

I must have dozed off because the vibration against my thigh jarred me awake.

I patted my thigh, finding the source of the buzz before pulling my phone out. “What?”

Rubbing the tiredness from my eyes, I looked over at the bed.Empty.

“Don, your wife is outside demanding to leave.”

I narrowed my eyes and stood. “Don’t let her out. I’ll handle it.”

In no time, I was halfway across the lawn, finding Aurora shaking the gate as if it would magically open.

Thunder rumbled above us, the clouds darkening into shades of gray.

Grabbing her by the elbow, I pulled her to me. “What are you doing?” I yelled; my patience no longer existent.

She yanked herself free from my hold and stepped a few feet back. “What do youthink? I’m getting away from you. Ihateyou for what you did to me. To my brother.”

“And I hate you for what you did to me. To my cousin,” I spat out. Heat simmered deep within me, overriding the nighttime breeze. “For what youcontinueto do to me.”

“You had intent,” she snapped at me. “I didn’t. There’s a difference.”

My gaze lingered on her, assessing any lies. “Is that so?”

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