Page 133 of Where the Wicked Reign

“Caterina is off-limits.”

“We’re merely friends.”

Hmm.He was adept at wearing a mask, too. Hisjust friendsline was almost believable. Pity for him that I knew much better. I knew every fucking thing.

It was why I told him, “Your in-person get togethers will stop, effective immediately.”

The bastard had the balls to glare at me in clear challenge. “I wasn’t aware you had influence over her.”

My lip curled. “The news is very recent. That’s why you’re not privy to it.”

“What news?”

“Caterina Leone is to be my wife.”

He jolted, and it was highly satisfying to see him out of sorts at the news. “You hate one another.”

“That matters not.” And it was only what the two of us had led the world to believe.

Although, why she hadn’t yet told Levi that things had shifted was curious.

She couldn’t possibly be in denial, could she?

No, she was definitely on board.

So, what was it then?

Shame?

Could that be it?

Fuck,that didn’t sit well with me. It better not fucking be the reality.

As the thought of it started nagging at me, I found myself reaching into my inner jacket pocket and pulling out the Tiffany box I’d picked up on my way here tonight.

I opened it to reveal a diamond encrusted engagement ring interspersed with turquoise, along with a wedding band that was engraved with my initials,NM.As he zeroed in on that part, I told him, “She will wear my brand.My property, my wife.”

Caterina would kill me if it was actually more than a farce to fool our families. But Levi didn’t need to know that, or that the truth was a great deal more complicated, or not nearly as cold as I was making it out to be.

I saw him grind his jaw, not pleased in the least.Good,now he was experiencing a fraction of what I felt regarding their closeness, let alone theirhookup.

The brave little soldier challenged me again as he said, “I noticed thatmy lovewas missing from that.”

“Some marriages are based on duty. You are fortunate given your position as heir to a formidable empire as well that your father has allowed you to be free of that obligation.”

I put the rings away and squeezed his fingers, watching the struggle all over him not to strike me where I sat, not to respond with his known reckless aggressiveness, or full-on violent edge.

Something stopped him and diplomacy and reason won out as he managed to stay his hand.Interesting.

“My wife won’t be in another man’s presence without me by her side. Are we clear? That’s my final term of our deal.” Again, that was only part of the truth and reality. It washispresence I didn’t want her in.

“Fine,” he gritted out. “Just don’t fucking hurt her.”

“I don’t intend to. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”More than you can ever hope to perceive of.

“All right, you’ve got it,” he told me, despite looking extremely confused and concerned about it all.

I released him and allowed him to take the drive, which he pocketed.

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