Page 127 of Kissing the Villain

“How did she like being their queen?”

My grandfather glanced over at Arlo. “You want to take this one?”

Arlo leaned forward with his elbow resting on the arm of a leather chair. “Eva was an excellent queen. We ruled together for twelve years before her death.”

Pops grabbed my shoulder. “Alex, there’s something else we’d like to discuss with you.” I pressed my lips together, and he continued, “There’s a lot of hostility between you and Luca.”

I snorted with laughter. “That’s an understatement.”

“I spoke with Arlo about a new arrangement to help you rethink the marriage.”

“Nothing will change my mind about Luca.”

At that, Luca grunted, drawing my attention to his smug face. He glowered at me, his jaw so hard it could cut through steel.

“What if you had a choice?” Pops asked, diverting my attention.

My eyes snapped to him.

“A choice between Luca and Marcello,” he confirmed. “It’s clear you have feelings for both of them.”

I didn’t bother to correct him.

“You have until the end of the month to choose,” he said, unaffected.

My gaze shifted between Marcello and Luca. While Marcello looked like he’d won the fucking lottery, Luca was seething with anger.

“What if I can’t choose?”

All business, my grandfather remained expressionless. “Then I will choose for you.”

“I already know who you would pick.”

“Fuck this,” Luca snapped, his nostrils flared. “You promised Alex to me a long time ago, Wellington.”

My grandfather glowered at him. “Boy, you better learn to respect your elders.”

“No,” Luca growled. “Alex won’t choose Marcello over me.”

Pops grinned, but it was sinister. “Then you have nothing to worry about.”

My eyes met Luca’s, and he shook his head. “Why are you doing this to me, Drea?”

“You did this to yourself.”

“Bitch,” he yelled, his hand balled into a fist.

Anger bubbled up inside my chest. “Luca, if you don’t shut your mouth, I will choose now. And you won’t like my decision.”

He clenched his teeth.

“Why do you think you deserve me?” I asked Luca.

“Because you’re mine.”

My laughter filled the quiet room. “No, I’m not.”

He rolled his eyes and drank a full glass of scotch, slamming it down on the table with a thud. “You’re in denial.”

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