Page 82 of Devil Mine

He narrows his eyes on me, clearly not liking my tone. “Because it’s our honeymoon. What kind of bride goes to work the week after getting married? This marriage serves a purpose. We need to keep up appearances outside these four walls — we wouldn’t want people thinking this is anything other than a happy union, would we?”

I don’t let him see the stung expression on my face. I thought it was pure interest driving him to find me, it never dawned on me that he might want to marry me for reasons of social advancement.

Stupid and naive of me really, he’s told me from the beginning that all he cares about is power.

Still it’s unexpected, the sharp pain that claws at my chest. Unexpectedandunwanted.

Leaning forward, I place my palms on his desk and bring our faces level with each other’s.

“You left for two days the second we set foot in England,” I accuse. “Tell me how that helped with this fictional image of a happy union?”

“No one except my most trusted men knew I was gone. To everybody else we were both home, fucking like rabbits in happily wedded bliss.” His jaw works and I can tell he’s holding himself back. “Obviously, your little performance just now will require damage control.” His voice dips. “You’ll help me fix your mess.”

Straightening, I cross my arms once more and give him an uncertain look. “You’re really fine with having a wife who works?” I ask distrustfully.

“I told you you’d be my queen, Tess.” He knows how to punish me with harmless words. He hasn’t called me anything but ‘amor’ or ‘preciosa’ since our encounter at my father’s house, so his use of my name feels like a reproach. It makes me dig my nails into my palms. “The queen is the most powerful piece on the board. I’d be a fool to get in her way. You can return to work in two weeks.”

“That’s a surprisingly advanced train of thought for someone in your position.”

“Half of my lieutenants are women and the vast majority of them are far more valuable to me than their male counterparts. Only idiots underestimate the limitless potential of female rage. I choose to weaponize it.”

Inexplicable jealousy burns hot red in my veins, catching me off guard. Just exactly how are these women making themselves valuable to him?

Conflicting emotions constantly war for dominance inside me. One minute I loathe him, the next I’m possessive of him. I go from pleasantly surprised, to hopeful, to hurt and disappointed like the swing of a pendulum. It’s been three days and I’m already doing a piss poor job of protecting myself against him.

“Okay then, so long as we understand each other.” I nod sharply and turn on my heel, intent on ending this conversation, happy to be getting out of there unscathed.

“Tess.”

This time, my name feels like the lash of a whip against my back. I wish he’d stop saying it like that. Or saying it at all.

When I turn, he’s rounding his desk and coming towards me. It dawns on me that I was a fool to think he’d just sit there and quietly take my anger.

His hand finds my throat, the collar closing around my skin, and he squeezes. He shoves me backwards until I hit the study wall where he locks me in with his other hand above my shoulder.

Eyes darken on me and his tongue turns lethal. “Watch the way you fucking speak to me.”

Turning my face, I avert my eyes. He grips my jaw and forces me to look back at him instead. Chaotic golden eyes meet mine, demented energy swirling in his irises.

“I didn’t ask for any of this, Thiago. This is who you married, so I’ll talk to you how I like. If you don’t like it, then feel free to let me go.”

Fingers cuff my throat once more, too comfortable with the controlling, dominating gesture.

“In private, maybe.” His face hardens, his jaw setting. “In public, you’ll obey.”

“I–”

“Or you’ll learn to take public punishments too.”

My throat dries, the meaning of his words making my eyes widen. Swallowing is difficult around the mass in my throat.

“I give you a long leash because your mouth amuses me, but don’t forget who I am. Disrespect me in front of my men again and I’ll fix your attitude for you while they watch.” He squeezes my throat and I whimper. “Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Now, turn around. Face the wall.”

He releases me. Dizzying arousal makes me do what he orders without even questioning it. I press my cheek against the wall and wait for him to tell me what to do next.

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