Page 288 of Hate Mates

I shake my head, and I'm ready to scream he can't give me anything when my brain conjures MaTe's face.

"In name only?" I hear myself say.

He leans closer, until we're eyes to eyes, lips to lips. "No. I won't have my wife fucking anyone else. This is forever, until one of us dies."

I try to pull away from him, but his gaze holds me as tight as his arms. I relent. "I'll only marry you if you get my sister out. MaTe needs to be free of Ludovico and his son, Benny."

"We'll get married and then I'll get your sister."

I shove him off this time. "No. You'll get her first. I don't trust analiadoto keep his word."

In the next second, I find myself pressed against the wall. "My word is the one thing that never breaks."

My heart is beating erratically. "I'll have your word then, Dario."

"I swear I'll get your sister out. Now, I'll send for the priest."

He starts to walk away, and I stop him with a hand on his arm. "Swear you'll never beat me or rape me."

A myriad of emotions flash over his eyes. "I swear."

"And you won't embarrass me by going to other women."

"I swear. Anything else?" he grits out.

His flippant tone sets me off. "I mean it. If I find another woman in your bed, I'll burn you both in it."

He blinks a few times, and his eyes darken to almost black. "Anything else?"

There's so many questions I want to ask but for some reason only one leaves my lips. "Are we going to hate fuck forever?"

A smile ghosts over his lips. "It's the best kind of fuck."

Chapter Five

Why marry someone you hate?

Because beingPatriarcais all that matters.

The thoughts echoed in my head with every step I took to go get her. I never go into the room she stays in. It brings memories of arms that hold you tight and a sad smile tying my shoes. It's pain that the years refuse to erase. This was the room I ran to when I was allowed to still be a child. Now, it's the perpetually closed room next to mine, where the woman I'm marrying will sleep. Maybe it's for the best. I won't be going in there much and won't be tempted to.

Except, when I open the door and catch a glimpse of Soledad in the middle of the room, in her pristine lace gown, my throat thickens. I don't see my mom or me laying on the bed with her, hiding from my father.

I only see my bride.

My reluctant bride.

We don't smile. Neither of us is excited. It's simply something we must do and find a way to make it work.

Swear you'll never beat me or rape me.

Her words chased after me long after our last meeting. Some men in this life are used to taking everything by force, even what should only be freely given. Ludovico has that reputation. My father is certainly guilty.

I can't. Won't. Ever.

I can’t help but to wonder if Soledad's already been touched that way. Her father didn't allow anyone close, only those he handpicked. The first time we met, he introduced us, gushing about his daughter's beauty and intelligence. She looked like she couldn't care less. When I tried to strike a conversation, she told me she didn't consort with my kind. Then, she left me standing in the ballroom and went to talk to one of those preppy rich kids. Now here we are. She's going to be mine forever.

And I'll be hers.

---