Page 40 of Desire and Revenge

“I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about Sebastian and that woman.” His voice cuts me off, harsh and cold. “You know exactly why I did it, and it has nothing to do with if he’s sticking his dick into some Italian whore.”

I freeze at his words. He just admitted it. He did it. And while I should feel terrified—scared that he tried to kill someone he considers family—all I am is... stunned.

Completely overwhelmed by the realization that Nero did this because of me. He was furious that Sebastian had laid a hand on me, and this was his twisted way of sending a message.

I don’t know how to feel—happy? Angry? Scared? All I know is that Nero’s possessiveness is terrifyingly intense, and I can’t even bring myself to feel bad that two people almost died tonight. One of them being my husband, the man I’m supposed to love.

I tear my gaze away from his dark, unreadable eyes, unable to handle the truth staring back at me.

“It’s the room just ahead,” the attendant calls over his shoulder, smiling politely. I force a small smile in return, trying to act normal.

“And here we are,” he says with a flourish, stopping in front of a door. “You’ll lose your ocean view, but there’s a lovely garden outside your window. There’s even a birdhouse.”

A real smile breaks across my face. “That sounds wonderful.”

“You may not think so when the birds wake you at sunrise,” he jokes, handing me the keys with a wince. “We’ll, of course, reimburse you for the ocean-view suite.”

“It’s fine,” I assure him quickly, eager for him to leave.

“We insist,” he replies firmly. “We’ll sort through what’s salvageable. There’s also a boutique nearby. Goodnight, ma’am.”

I wait until he’s out of earshot before spinning on Nero. “You ruined my dress for the wedding.”

He takes another lazy drag from his cigarette. “I’ll buy you a new one.”

“I hate the smell of those things,” I snap, irritation flaring. “And I hate that you think you need to fight with Sebastian for me. I don’t need your help.”

Nero’s expression doesn’t change, but the corner of his mouth quirks up in amusement. “Good night, Princess.”

I don’t even have the energy to fight over the nickname. Something tells me this man is used to doing whatever he pleases, and arguing with him is pointless.

I stand at the door, an unexpected feeling of anticipation curling inside me. My hands grow clammy, and I smooth them down the front of my dress, wondering how things have spiraled so far, so fast.

His jaw clenches, the tension radiating off him. “Go inside, now,” he growls, voice low and commanding.

Without thinking, I scramble into the room, slamming the door shut behind me. My heart is racing, breaths coming fast and labored, like I’ve just sprinted for my life. I lean against the door, struggling to steady myself, the weight of the moment pressing in on me.

Nero Castello. A name that once meant little to me now feels like a storm hovering over my life. He remains as much of a mystery as ever, dangerous and unpredictable.

The only difference now is that I know what he tastes like.

CHAPTER 13

Nero

“There’s something you should see,” Davide says as he pulls out his laptop and opens it with a swift motion.

While I wait for him to boot it and navigate through endless security protocols, I dig out a pack of cigarettes. And then I do the same thing I’ve been doing for the past few days since Sofia told me she didn’t like the smell of my cigarettes. I stuff them back into my pocket.

“No lighter, boss? I’ve got one in my bag,” he offers.

If only a lack of lighter were my biggest problem. “Don’t worry about it. I think I’m going to quit,” I reply, though the words feel heavier than I’d expected.

Davide doesn’t show his surprise—he’s too professional for that. But I can sense his curiosity hovering between us, like a silent question mark that hangs in the air. I choose not to address it, remaining silent.

“Here,” Davide finally says, pointing to the laptop screen. I lean in closer, trying to make out the grainy video playing before us.

“What am I looking at?” I ask.

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