Page 38 of Wicked Games of Desire

I glance at him. Something has shifted between us in the last few days, and while I’m still not sure how honest I can be with him, I literally have no one else to talk to, so it’s either him or Ricky. And he’s the one here with me now. Upon entering the house, we find ourselves alone. “I can’t do this. She hates me already. I’m not made for this type of life.” My words are quivering out of my mouth as tears well up. I can’t hide my emotions any longer.

He takes my hand in his. “Temptress.” He pulls me into his warmth, inhaling my hair. “Neither was I when my father died, leaving me to be raised by them, but you learn.”

“What if I don’t want to learn to be like them? What if I want something different for my life?”

“Your father took that choice from you, just like mine did from me.” His gaze sweeps over me, revealing the burden he bears. He understands exactly what I’m saying. He’s just never going to admit it. “Come on, it’s not all bad. I’m sure there are lots of girls who would like to be just like Valentina, playing dress-up in expensive gowns, spending their days at charity social events and throwing lavish parties.”

My eyes meet his. “Maddox, I’m not that girl.” The words leave my mouth through clenched teeth and come out as more of a warning.

He drops his head closer to me, his warm breath tickling my earlobe. “But you don’t have to be, because you have something they don’t.”

“What’s that?” I whisper, almost breathless with his proximity. Damn, his scent is absolutely intoxicating tonight.

“Us three.” He presses a featherlight kiss to my neck, then his eyes meet mine again. They hold a promise, one I don’t really understand, but it makes me feel safe somehow. That the three of them all want to take care of me, not just the one marrying me. It’s unconventional, but the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of fucked up, so maybe this is just my new normal.

I laugh lightheartedly. “Oh yeah, and what would Valentina make of that little scenario?”

“It’s none of her business.” He chuckles, knowing exactly what I’m imagining. Her reaction to whatever it is we have going on.

“Somehow, I think she will make it.”

“She doesn’t know any of us as well as she thinks, and she never will.”

“Will I… really know you?”

A couple walks up the stairs, and he pulls back from me quickly. “Bathroom’s through there.” He points in the general direction, dismissing me. Damn their timing. I finally feel like I’m getting somewhere with one of them and we’re interrupted. As I push open the door, I steal a quick glance back at him. He leans against the adjacent wall, crossing his arms over his chest, but avoids making eye contact with me. He’s back on bodyguard duty. I sigh to myself, disappointed to be kept in the dark yet again.

I use the facilities and wash my hands, trying to mentally prepare myself to go back out there, but parties and fake smiles are not my thing. Even worse when I’m the center of attention and I can feel the judging eyes of them all on me. Every person at this party knows I don’t belong here, I’m sure they can tell. Why can’t the boys? Surely Alessandro knows this is all going to end horribly, because I can’t be the girl he needs me to be.

When I push open the door, Maddox is not where I left him. I wander out into the hallway, wondering where he is. Muffled voices come from just down the way, and I go in search of them. Finding a door ajar, I peer through the opening and see Maddox talking with Alessandro, Ricky, and their father. Alessandro and Enzo are eye to eye, glaring at each other angrily.

I leave the door ajar and stay out of view, trying to hear any snippets I can of whatever this is I just walked in on. The room itself looks like a den; my papa had one very similar himself with bookshelves stacked all down one wall and a large mahogany desk in the center. This room also has a leather lounge and what looks like a fully stocked bar. On the coffee table is a number of tumblers with half-finished drinks.

“Do you want to answer to your cousin? Because if he gets his hands on her, you know that’s what’s going to happen.” An angry growl escapes from his father’s mouth. Despite the quietness of his voice, there is an unmistakable rage beneath it, one I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of.

Cousin? Who are they talking about?

Alessandro’s face contorts in disgust. “Geovani has no hold over her,” he confidently swipes back, showing no fear toward his papa or concern for this cousin, but if I’m understanding correctly, they’re saying Geovani is Alessandro’s cousin. The thought makes my heart race a little faster.

Enzo grabs Alessandro’s face in his meaty hand, staring him down. “What makes you so certain? He manipulated her and had her prepared to eliminate the three of you. You don’t know his abilities or how close they became during the six months she was kept away from you. I should have dealt with this myself when I had the chance.” He rattles every word off like a threat, but Alessandro doesn’t shrink backin fear. He grins smugly back at his papa like a psycho, ready to unleash his crazy.

“You didn’t because of Marco,” Maddox’s voice cuts through the tension. The mere mention of my brother’s name gives me chills. What is he talking about, because of Marco?

His words force Enzo to take a step away from his son and adjust his suit, straightening out the luxury fabric. Alessandro goes to a trolley that’s set up with various bottles of liquor and pours himself a tumbler of amber-colored liquid. He’s a man on the edge of losing it.

“We bring the wedding forward to eliminate any chances of interference from him,” Ricky proposes, clapping a hand on Alessandro’s shoulder. He glances back at him, considering the idea.

Everyone remains silent, and I hold my breath, trying not to make it obvious that I’m listening in. What they’re talking about is important, and it directly affects me. I want to know everything I can. Alessandro said after tonight he would tell me it all, but with them all whispering in the den, I hardly feel like that’s going to happen.

“What kind of father marries his daughter off to the highest bidder? It’s disgusting,” Alessandro asks Ricky, and though his words are softly spoken, there is a subtle sharpness to them. I can hear how much he hates my father.

My skin goes cold and prickly. Marries me off to the highest bidder? What does he even mean by that?

“A desperate one. She’s lucky this works to our advantage. With the Havardi children on our side, we will be stronger than ever. The D’Amicos will have no choice but to back down, and we will regain control of Ravens Hollow, and all the nonsense Stefano started will end,” Enzo says, trying to regain his control over the room.

“Stefano was smarter than we give him credit for. He knew the war he was starting with that contract,” Maddox adds, his eyes meetingwith mine through the crack in the door. He knew I was here all along. And I can’t help but wonder if this is his way of letting me in on their secrets. He couldn’t tell me himself, but if I overhear it, then it’s fair game.

I can no longer stand by and listen in. I feel sick and restless, and my only longing is to escape from this place and anyone with the name Moretti. Alessandro’s intention to marry me is to improve his family’s business. I should have known he was lying to me. His desperation was clear when he was trying to manipulate me into saying yes. It was never to save me, but to enhance his own power and make sure Geovani doesn’t get it. Whatever it is they’re after. I forcefully push the door open and lock eyes with Alessandro.

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