Page 140 of Hate Mates

As the last of the guests begin to depart, I guide Vittoria to a quiet corner of the room. "You did well tonight," I murmur, my hand still resting possessively on her lower back.

She looks up at me, fatigue evident in her eyes despite her smile. "Thank you, Cesare. I'm glad I could meet your expectations."

There's a hint of sarcasm in her tone that I choose to ignore. Instead, I lean in closer, my lips brushing her ear. "I have one more task for you tonight," I say. "Meet me in my study in fifteen minutes. There's something we need to discuss."

I feel her stiffen slightly, but she nods. "Of course. I'll be there."

As she walks away to say goodbye to her parents, I catch sight of Lorenzo watching us, his expression unreadable. I'll need tohave a word with him soon about his attitude. But for now, I have more pressing matters to attend to.

I make my way to my study, pouring myself a glass of scotch as I wait for Vittoria. The engagement party went well, better than I had expected. But I can't shake the feeling that there's more to Vittoria than meets the eye. Tonight, I intend to find out just what she's hiding.

The soft knock on the door comes precisely fifteen minutes later. "Enter," I call out, settling into my chair behind the desk.

Vittoria steps in, closing the door quietly behind her. She's removed her jewelry, and her hair is starting to come loose from its elaborate updo. Even in this slightly disheveled state, she's breathtakingly beautiful.

"You wanted to see me?" she says, her voice steady despite the wariness in her eyes.

I gesture to the chair across from me. "Sit, please. We have some things to discuss.”

Vittoria hesitates for a moment before taking the seat across from me. Her posture is rigid, hands folded neatly in her lap. The perfect picture of obedience, but I can see the defiance simmering just beneath the surface.

"You played your part well tonight," I begin, taking a sip of my scotch. "The guests were suitably impressed."

"Thank you," she replies, her tone carefully neutral. "I'm glad I could meet your expectations."

I lean forward, studying her face closely. "But that's just it, isn't it? It was all an act. The perfect, obedient fiancée. I wonder, Vittoria, who you really are beneath that carefully constructed facade."

Fear mixed with anger flashes in her eyes, but once again, she pushes it down and her expression is unreadable once again. "I'm not sure what you mean, Cesare. I've been nothing but honest with you."

I can't help but chuckle at that. "Come now, we both know that's not true. I saw the way you handled my children at dinner the other night. The way you navigated the crowd this evening. You're far more than the demure bride-to-be you pretend to be."

Vittoria's jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. "And if I am?" she challenges, her voice low. "What does it matter? I'm here, aren't I? I'm marrying you, fulfilling my role in this... arrangement."

I stand, moving around the desk to lean against it directly in front of her. "It matters because I need to know exactly who I'm dealing with, Vittoria. In our world, secrets can be deadly."

She looks up at me, and for a moment, I see a flash of the fire I've been sensing all along. "You want to know who I really am, Cesare? I'm a woman who's been raised her entire life for this moment. I know the game, the rules, the stakes. I'm not naive, and I'm certainly not stupid."

"And what exactly do you hope to gain from this arrangement?" I ask, genuinely curious.

Vittoria stands slowly, bringing herself eye-level with me. "Survival," she says simply. "For myself, for my family. Isn't that what we're all after in the end?"

I study her face, searching for any sign of deception. But all I see is determination and a hint of resignation.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Vittoria," I warn her. "Be careful you don't get burned."

A small, bitter smile curves her lips. "I've been playing dangerous games my entire life, Cesare. This is just the latest round."

I find myself drawn to her, the fire in her eyes igniting something within me. Before I can stop myself, I lean in and capture her lips in a searing kiss. Vittoria stiffens for a moment before responding, her lips soft yet demanding against mine.

The kiss deepens, and I pull her closer, one hand tangling in her hair while the other grips her waist. For a few heated moments, I lose myself in the taste and feel of her. A little moan escapes her, it’s soft, velvety and my cock thickens at the sound. She’s got her hands fisted in my shirt, her tiny body pressed against mine, fuck, she feels amazing against me. She fits fucking perfectly. I’ve never had such an intense reaction to someone as I do Vittoria. I grind my cock against her stomach, loving the way she releases yet another moan.

All I want to do is fuck her against my desk, bend her over it, pull up the hem of her dress and fuck her unlike I’ve fucked anyone before. Christ. What the fuck is wrong with me? I force myself to pull away, breathing heavily. I can’t lose control like this, doing so will come with consequences and right now the Boston Elite Syndicate is trying to repair our reputation, not cause even more chaos. Taking the virginity of a rival’s daughter isn’t the way to go—not until we’re married at least.

Vittoria looks up at me, her chest heaving as she catches her breath. Her lips are swollen from our kiss, her cheeks flushed. She looks utterly ravishing, and it takes all my self-control not to pull her back into my arms. I can see the confusion and desire warring in her gaze.

"Leave," I growl, angry at myself for losing control, knowing that if she doesn’t leave right now I may just do something that I could end up regretting. "Now."

She hesitates for a moment, as if about to say something, but thinks better of it. Without a word, she turns and hurries out of the study, closing the door quietly behind her. Before she exits my study, I notice the white bandage hidden beneath her hair. What the hell happened?

I slump back against my desk, running a hand through my hair in frustration. This was not how I had planned for this conversation to go.

I pour myself another glass of scotch. Vittoria Costa is proving to be far more intriguing—and dangerous— than I ever anticipated. The kiss we shared was electric, igniting a passion I haven't felt in years. But with that passion comes risk.

I take a long sip of my drink, savoring the burn. The wedding is in two weeks, and I have a feeling those two weeks are going to be very interesting indeed. Vittoria may think she knows the game, but she has no idea what she's truly gotten herself into.

I can't help but feel a mix of anticipation and dread for what's to come. Vittoria Costa is a wildcard, one that could either be my greatest asset or my ultimate downfall. Only time will tell which it will be.

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