Page 4 of Blood and Penance
Phoenix
Drained.
I’m drained of all my energy, and I don’t know how to kick this feeling, especially before it gets my ass in trouble. While I smile and laugh like everything’s alright in the world, it’s not. When all these people go home, I’ll still be living in hell while they get to live their happy lives.
“Did you hear what I said, Phoenix?” Lio asks, his tone sharp.
Lio D’Amico is my husband and the monster in all my nightmares. Everyone thinks he’s such a wonderful and attentive husband. But he’s nothing more than a pariah sucking the life out of me.
As I watch him from over the rim of my wineglass, I take a slow sip of the seventy-four-thousand-dollar bottle of merlot before answering.
Nothing but the best for my dear husband.
“Of course I did, honey. I can check for a third time if you’d like?”
I don’t hide my disdain for him even though I should have, especially with our guests always looking for something to gossip about when it comes to us. However, I have no more fucks to give.
While he looks like what I’ve said hasn’t fazed him, I know different. He’s beyond pissed. His smile never leaves his face as his blunt nails dig into my thigh underneath the table. I push down the wince, maintaining my composure.
He chuckles. “No, sweetheart, it’s fine. We can check after everyone leaves.”
He turns his attention back to his guests as they shove more wine and food into their mouths while oblivious to the storm brewing between us. This is the life I thought I’d be far away from when my heart was broken all those years ago. But here I am, married to one of the most feared members of the De Maio clan, wishing I were someone else other than here.
Lio caught me at my most vulnerable. Showered me with gifts and affection. He made me feel like he would burn down theworld for me after my heart had been shattered into a million pieces.
There’s only been one man that made me feel like the center of his world, and when I no longer had that and after two years of being alone, I yearned for that feeling again. Lio became that man. Showed me what he wanted me to see, then whisked me away to Italy. Once I realized who he truly is, it was already too late. I was stuck in a marriage that I didn’t know how to get out of.
My head is buzzing. Finally, the alcohol is kicking in. Now, I can at least enjoy the rest of my night despite the company.
“Please excuse me,” I say, leaning over to my husband, who has been enamored with a beautiful Italian model who’s sitting next to him on his left-hand side. “I’m going to the restroom.”
She looks only twenty, maybe twenty-one, with long black hair that reaches her waist, and flawless olive skin. She came with Lio’s right-hand man, Matteo, like that would hide what she’s really here for.
He pursed his lips, but he kisses me on the cheek to keep up appearances. “Don’t be too long.”
“Of course, darling. I wouldn't dream of it."
I have no idea why he insists on me staying around because when this dinner party is over, he’ll have the pretty Italian modelbent over the oak desk in his study. Not that I care one bit. At least it will keep him from touching me.
Hopefully.
I’ve sent up a silent thank you to whoever’s listening that she’s had his attention all night, brushing her hand against him as she laughs at his dumbass jokes, or him brushing his fingers down her bare arm like they're the only two people in the room. She’s no different from all the women in this world who are looking to improve their stations. At least it gives me a chance to breathe for one night.
I rise from our dining room table that’s seating twenty of Lio’s business associates, politicians, and various members of the Camorra clans. I thank everyone for coming as I pass. Even if they don’t like me, they can’t say that I’ve turned my nose up at them, which would make Lio look bad in their eyes. I hate being here, but I’m always an excellent host whenever I have to be.
Upon leaving the dining room, I let out the breath that I’d been holding. “Fuck, I hate it here,” I mumble.
“Mrs. D’Amico,” Georgio greets me as he follows.
“I’m just heading to the bathroom upstairs, Georgio. You don’t have to follow me.”
“Orders are to keep my eyes on you at all times.”
I roll my eyes. “So, you gonna watch me piss too, Georgio? I didn’t know you had those kinds of kinks.”
He doesn’t answer, but I catch his smirk out of the corner of my eye. I don’t hold it against him because he’s just following orders.
I make my way up the marble staircase, my heels and Georgio’s footsteps echoing behind me. Georgio’s my shadow. I don’t go anywhere or do anything without him. Lio says it’s for my protection, but I know that’s not true. Of course he has enemies, but Lio is more afraid I’m going to leave him or find someone to fuck behind his back like he does me. I should, just so I can embarrass his ass, but I just don’t have the energy to deal with the consequences of cheating on Lio D’Amico.
