Page 41 of Violent Delights

For alliance. For legacy.

But underneath?

My heart is chaos.

The door creaks open. One of Igancio’s guards leans inside, perfectly composed in a black suit and white dress shirt that fits him perfectly. It’s as if all the men in this house have been dressed by one monster who wants to keep control.

“You’re wanted downstairs,” he says. “Your fiancé’s requested your presence.”

I nod once.

He doesn’t notice my hands trembling.

When I descend the stairs, he’s already talking to his soldiers. I have expected Cassio to be here, but he’s not, thankfully.

Ignacio Mosca—the Boss of the Mosca clan. Educated abroad. Smiles too wide.

My future carved in violence, dressed in charm.

He stands when I enter, and everyone watches my face.

I smile like I’ve been trained. Controlled. Measured. Like I’m not thinking about a man who touches me like I’m not some pawn on a chessboard.

Nico is nowhere in sight, but I feel him. Like a phantom under my skin.

Ignacio steps toward me and kisses the back of my hand. “You look stunning, my future queen,” he says, but there isn’t anything pleasant in his tone. There is only darkness.

“Thank you,” I murmur, trying to act demure, calm, but I’m far from it.

He doesn’t notice that I don’t look him in the eye.

Later that night,I find Nico in the corridor outside the east wing, half-shadowed under the arch. His stance is casual, but his eyes are sharp.

“You weren’t in the living room tonight. I was scared,” I whisper as I approach him, stopping beside him. I can’t touch him because there are too many eyes on us.

“I volunteered to help with setup. I didn’t want him to ask questions,” he says, barely glancing at me. “Wanted to keep an eye on the guests.”

He doesn’t say the rest out loud.Wanted to keep an eye on you.We both hear it anyway.

“And you know when Cassio is arriving?” I ask.

He nods. “Next week,” he tells me then, and my chest tightens. That doesn’t give us enough time. It’s going to go wrong. I have a feeling.

“That’s only five days.” My voice is a trembling whisper. It’s clear I’m scared. Even I can hear it. But I have to be strong. I can’t allow this to overwhelm me. If I do, Nico and Gillie won’t let me be a part of it.

“There is more than enough time, and we will carry out this plan,” he assures me, then finally turns to look at me. Those dark eyes holding me hostage, and I know if anyone were to see us right now, they’d be able to tell how much I love this man. “Ignacio is concerned. I’m sure he’ll want to spend as much time with you as possible over the coming days,” he says then, and my stomach lurches. “You need to play the role, Lia.”

There’s a bite in his tone, but I can’t blame him. I don’t say what I want to:he’s nothing more than a problem we will soon get rid of, and I want to be the one to do it.

Instead, I glance down the hallway to make sure we’re alone, then take one small step closer. “He’ll be more vigilant for the next two days. He wants us to… get acquainted, but there are limitations to what he can do before the wedding.”

Nico’s jaw tightens. He knows what I mean, and that’s the only saving grace. Ignacio will wait till our wedding night to want sex. It’s tradition, and one thing I know about these men, they’re strict when it comes to the rules.

“I’ll stay close,” he says. “Keep an eye on you and if you need me…”

I look up at him, my voice barely audible. “And after that?”

He pauses. “After that, I have something in motion. But I’ll need your help.”

---