Page 1 of Violent Delights

Prologue

“There’s nothing wrong with your dress, Lelia.” My mother’s tone is annoyed, mixed with angry. It’s what she’s sounded like all my life, as short as that may be. I’ve become a pawn in her and my father’s game, and now that I’m turning sixteen, it’s only going to get worse.

I turn to her, the woman who gave birth to me, and I don’t know if I want to ever admit how much I want her to be proud of me. She’s never been a doting maternal figure. There have been moments of love, some affection, but nothing on a deeper level. I can’t talk to her about things most of my friends tell their moms.

“I just feel uncomfortable,” I admit but then shake my head and turn back to the mirror. My reflection is that of a young woman. I don’t like it. I’ve never been one to dress up and spend hours in front of the mirror, but now that I’m walking into a party that’s in my honor, Mom wants me toact the part.

“Be downstairs in five minutes,” she warns before leaving me in my bedroom. The silence in my personal space is welcome.

This life I’ve been born into isn’t easy. It’s stupid to think I could ever have my own say in what I do and who I love. But with a name like Vitale, it’s well-known that we have mortal enemies. It’s a war that’s spanned generations. I didn’t want to grow upwith anger and hatred in my heart, but that’s what happens when you have no choice.

This party is not to truly celebrate my birthday, but rather a time and place for those who want to put their name in the pot to one day marry me. My father will choose, and I’ll have to obey, like the perfect pawn in his game.

I won’t know who he is until I’ve earned the place in the family organization, but I have an idea of who my father will choose. There are important, influential suitors who’ll be there this evening, but none of them will ever cause me towantto vow to spend my life with them.

When I finally make my way down to the lavish room that’s been decked in gold balloons, soft lighting, and the glittering crystal glasses filled with sparkling liquid, I know my mother has gone all out.

“There she is,” my father says with a smile beaming on his face. It does please me to know I make my father happy, proud, but deep down I know it’s not that easy. He will one day ask me to do something I don’t want to. In our world, there aren’t many choices.

He puts his hand around my shoulders and leads me toward the balcony doors. But we stop before stepping out into the warm summer evening.

“I hope this party will allow you to meet people, get to know those here who want to learn who you are,” he tells me as he grips my shoulders with both hands, and my head spins when I realize what he means.

“Dad.” I sigh as I glance around the room, taking in the faces of everyone who has come out to my birthday party. At first, I thought they were here to celebrate, but now I realize all of them are only here to try to coax me into marrying them. Men of all ages, which sends an icy shiver down my spine.

“Listen to me, Lelia. I am not going to explain this to you again,” he murmurs low and menacing. “This is the life we live. We have to follow the rules, and that means, you will do as I say.”

“Yes, Dad,” I finally whisper before I step back and out of his hold. My father may love me, but he is strict. He doesn’t want his preciousrulesto be broken.

He drops his glare from mine and glances around. But before he goes off to mingle, he gifts me one final look and walks away, leaving me wondering why I’ve been cursed. I don’t move for a while, taking in long, deep breaths to calm the erratic thrum against my ribs.

There has never been a time I wanted the ground to swallow me up more than I do right now. It feels as if everyone’s eyes are on me. The music doesn’t drown out the deafening thud of my heart.

More guests enter the room, welcomed with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. The women who have accompanied their husbands, along with sons who they more than likely want to show off to me, are all exquisite. They look like they’ve just stepped off a runway or a photo shoot.

I want to run.

I want to escape.

Eyes land on me, watch me as I make my way through the crowd. The burning of their gazes makes my skin hot and my stomach twist as I try to escape. But I know there’s no getting away from this.

I’ve seen far too many young women practically sold off into marriages they didn’t want. I didn’t consider I’d be one of them someday. And yet, here I am.

As more and more guests arrive, the more my anxiety coils in my gut like a snake, twisting around itself, tightening with every step I take and every set of eyes that lands on me.

Finally, I head out onto the balcony because it’s the only place I feel at ease. It doesn’t take long for someone to find me, though. As soon as I calm the tension racing through me, I feel a presence.

Turning, I glance over to see my cousin standing at the door. He offers a smile, but it’s not a friendly one. He has always wanted my position in the organization. He wants to take over from my father, but because he can’t, the resentment has always been there.

“Cassio,” I murmur his name, knowing that if I play it calm and coy, he’ll leave me alone soon enough. Our relationship has never been easy, and because of his hatred of me, he has always ensured I feared him.

Deep down, I wish my father would choose him to take over rather than me. But Daddy will never do that.

“The princess is hiding,” he whispers in a low, threatening drawl. His voice is gruff, but I can tell he’s raging beneath his calm exterior. The problem with Cassio is that his poker face is terrible.

“What are you doing here?” I ask him, trying to move away, but there’s a darkness in his gaze as he watches me.

“I’m just making sure my cousin is behaving herself,” he tells me as he smiles, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.

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