Page 21 of Coerced Queen

A pained look crosses her features, but she quickly wipes it away.“We’ve been through this.I’m your wife.In sickness and in health, remember?”

“I never meant those vows.”

She stares at me as if I’ve slapped her.

“I never meant to burden you with my care,” I elaborate.

“No.”She drops the sponge in the bowl.It hits the soapy water with a splash, sending drops over the rim onto the nightstand.“What did you want?To die?”

There’s a knock on the door.Before I have time to answer, Rachele steps inside, carrying a huge fruit basket in her arms.

Anya stiffens.

Great fucking timing, Rachele.

“Sav,” Rachele says, my name lost in the sob that catches in her throat.She puts the monstrous basket on the trolley at the foot-end of the bed.“Oh my God.”Her bottom lip trembles.“They’re gone, just gone.”

She wears a black dress that reaches mid-thigh.Her lips are painted with her signature red lipstick, but despite her perfect make-up, signs of grief are visible on her face.Her skin is pale, and her eyes are red and puffy from crying.

“How did you get in here?”I ask, narrowing my good eye.

“The guys outside know me,” she says.“I’m still Mrs.De Luca, you know.”

I need to have a fucking word with those men.My orders were clear.No visitors other than Dante.

Sniffing, Rachele glances at Anya.“I still can’t believe it.”

My sigh is weary.“What are you doing here, Rachele?”

“I came to tell you the funeral is tomorrow.”She shrugs.“I wanted to see for myself that you’re okay.”

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Anya says.“I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you.”

“Don’t bother to come to the funeral,” Rachele tells Anya.“You’re still recovering.”

Meaning Rachele doesn’t want Anya there.I wouldn’t let her go alone anyway.

Rachele addresses me.“I saw Elena.My God, she looks miserable.She didn’t know what Raphael was planning.I swear it.”

My smile is cold.“So it’s confirmed then.He did it.Did Elena confess that to you?”

“No,” Rachele cries out, moving to the side of the bed.“Of course not.”

I turn my face to have a visual on her, which means I can no longer see Anya on the other side of the bed.I hate it, hate that I don’t have a peripheral vision on my right side, hate that I can’t measure Anya’s reaction.I’ve never liked not knowing what’s going on in her head.

“You came here to plead for your cousin, did you?”I say.

“Look, there’s word on the street.”Rachele licks her lips, looking nervous.“Everyone knows who did it, and I want justice for Papa and Giorgio just as much as anyone else.All I ask is that you leave Elena out of it.”

I laugh.“Did she send you to make her case?”

Rachele shakes her head vehemently.“No.”

“Here are the facts, Rachele.Raphael didn’t consider Anya or her baby when he broke a sacred rule to shed blood at our wedding.”

“Sav,” she exclaims.“You can’t be that cruel.”

“I’m sorry about your father and your brother.Rest assured, I will avenge them.Now go, and don’t come back.”

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