Page 38 of Dark Mafia Vows

A humorless chuckle escapes her lips. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you? You love making my life miserable so much that you’d force me to marry you, even though it’s the last thing I want, and you know it’ll make me completely miserable!”

Maybe it’s the way she says it, her voice hard and thick with emotion, but it dissolves every atom of amusement in me, leaving only irritation behind.

“You know, you could show me a little more gratitude for saving your life,” I say, taking a step toward her. She remains rooted to her spot, her unwavering gaze piercing into mine.

“Gratitude?” She scoffs, her eyes blazing.

“Yes. You know, a little thank you to me for the fact that you’re still alive and standing here today talking back at me,” I say sarcastically.

Her eyes flash. “Oh, so now I should be completely indebted to you because you took me from Esteban’s house?

“Yes,” I snap, my irritation bubbling over. “I saved your life, Ginny! Do you even realize the kind of man he was? Do you know what he would have done to you?”

She crosses her arms over her chest, her expression defiant. I’m almost distracted by the way it makes her boobs almost spill out of her dress.

“And what about what you’re doing to me now? Coercing my brother into signing this arrangement? Forcing me to not just marry you but to also move in with you,” she seethes. “This isn’t saving me. It’s a prison!”

The tension between us thickens as I step closer to her. “You don’t get it, do you?” I say, my voice low. “I didn’t bring you here just because I’m the villain you believe I am. I want to keep you safe.”

“Safe?” she challenges, her voice dripping with bitterness. “Is this your idea of safety? Trapping me in a house with my captor?”

“As opposed to what?” I shoot back. “Living your whole life in fear? First, you were almost killed by a bomb explosion. Then you were kidnapped. Do you know what would have happened if I hadn’t rescued you that night? What Esteban would have done to you?” I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “You could at least show some fucking gratitude. I didn’t have to intervene. I could have walked away.”

“Oh my god, Dario, you’re my hero. Thank you so much for saving me from that scary man Esteban. I would have been dead if it wasn’t for you.” Thick sarcasm drips from her high-pitched voice, and I grind my teeth as my own anger builds.

“Is that why you’re marrying me? So that every morning when I wake up, I will thank you for saving me and giving me the privilege to live before doing anything else for the day.”

My hands are balled into fists as I try to control my anger. She continues, not caring that her voice is loud. None of my housekeepers sleep in my house, but Ginny doesn’t know that. That only means she wants everyone in the house, especially my housekeepers, to hear whatever she has to say.

“You claim to be such a good person by rescuing me, but this single act of forcing me to marry you cancels out every good thing you think you’ve done,” she screeches.

I remain silent, and that only seems to infuriate her.

“I’ve never known you as a good person, but going to these lengths just to get revenge on my brother is just inhumane.” Her voice cracks slightly as she spits.

I feel a nerve snap in my head, and at this point, I’m livid.

“Go to your room, Ginny,” I bark, done with her tantrum for the day.

But she’s far from finished.

“Why? Is that how much you hate hearing the truth?” she spits, staring directly into my eyes before adding. “The truth, they say, is bitter.”

I decide to ignore her. She’s looking for a reaction, trying to hurt me as much as my actions have hurt her.

However, my patience snaps when I hear her next words.

“Your parents would be ashamed of how you turned out...”

In a flash, I’m right in front of her, cornering her against the counter.

“Repeat what you just said, Ginny,” I snarl, my fingers twitching to grab something. “I fucking dare you.”

I hear the slight hitch in her throat as I pin her with a heavy gaze. Her eyes waver slightly before hardening.

“I said your parents would be ashamed...”

Her words are cut off as I yank her roughly toward me and slam my lips against hers.

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