Page 29 of Bad Little Bride

“And I need a wife who doesn’t sit back like a voiceless doll.”

“Is that not an assumed law in this world?”

“Not in mine. You are no damsel so don’t act like one.”

“You have no idea what I am,” I throw back. “You know nothing about me.”

“Wrong.” He gets in my space. “I knoweverythingabout you.”

I laugh, loudly, and the anger lining his expression doubles in intensity at the bitter, incredulous sound. “Whatever.” I shake my head, my expression clearly relaying how full of shit his statement is. “Look, if you want me to act a certain way, then you’re going to have to find time in your busy schedule to actually speak to me to make those expectations known. Or if that’s too blue-collar for you, then at least tell Grandma so she can relay the message.”

He scowls, but he pushes forward, washing it away. The look on his handsome face is fierce as he crowds my space, delivering each word slower than necessary as if speaking to a child. “What I want is the girl I paid for, not this watered-down version of her.”

His words are like a slap to the face, even if I’m not sure how to take them or why they matter, but they do.

Of course, he gives no explanation, only an order. “Go up to your fucking room and stay there.”

“Go fuck yourself and pretend to hate it.”

That glare of his doubles, but something flashes in his eyes. His mouth opens but closes just as fast on an annoyed growl. He turns around, walks back to the still idling Hummer, and climbs inside.

He’s gone in an instant.

The guard presses the button on the elevator, so I turn in the opposite direction and take the glass stairwell. When he doesn’t follow right away, I glance down, and a smirk pulls at my lips.

“Did I just discover the secret to not being followed with every step?” I tease loudly, staring at the crystal-clear reflection of my bare ass beneath my skirt in the see-through, yet mirrored glass beneath me. “Tell me, what would happen if you dared to follow?”

The man doesn’t even look my way, deciding to watch my every move from what must be considered a safe distance.

I reach the top of the stairwell, and a satisfied breath escapes me.

The sensation lasts all of two seconds as a guard appears from both the right and left, leaving me no option but to walk straight…right into my room’s waiting open doors.

I slam the door shut, tossing my purse to the floor and groan up at the ceiling.

“Damn, took you long enough.”

I nearly jump out of my skin, barely managing to keep in a scream, but I’ve got her feet swiped from beneath her, sending her falling to the floor, a small squeak escaping when I realize she’s taking me with her, her feet having accidently tangled with mine on her way down.

I’m millimeters away from wrapping my hand around her throat, fully intending to choke her ass out, when she starts laughing. My hand freezes.

“Okay, that was unexpected…but fun.” She shoves at my shoulders, but I drive my knee into her thigh, making her wince before moving of my own accord.

I glare at her. “Who the hell are you and why are you in my room?”

“I’m Katana.” She smiles, holding her hand out. “I’m Enzo’sotherwife.”

Chapter

Seven

Boston

I blink and blink again,both of us still sitting on the hard floor.

I had to have heard her wrong, right? There’s no way she said what I think she said.

It takes her a few moments to realize I have zero intention of shaking her hand and she lowers it.

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