Page 14 of Devious
Smiling sadly, she leaves the room. I move to the floor-to-ceiling window showcasing the backyard. The otherfamigliaare already seated in the white chairs decorated with red and white roses. Soldiers stand in the back, and security searches the property for any threats.
I spot Devious standing at the altar. He’s breathtaking in his tux with a green tie. It’s like God hand-carved him so perfectly, every feature is unique. As if he knows I’m staring at him, his eyes venture to me, and they stay locked on mine. He doesn’t smile. Someone pats him on the back, and he breaks our stare.
A knock at the door startles me, and before I have time to answer, Papa walks in.
“Why are you here?” I snap. “To ensure your debt is going to get paid? Don’t worry, Dad. It’s going to get paid.”
Tears sting my eyes, and a lump the size of a grapefruit forms in the back of my throat.
Papa doesn’t say a word but frowns at me. His hand connects with my face, and the slap sends pain flying through my cheek all the way down to my chin.
Shock filters through me. He hasn’t put his hand on me since the day after Mom died. I stroke my delicate flesh.
He clutches my arm, squeezing tight. “Next time you disobey me, I’m going to beat the fuck out of you. You’re the reason why you’re in this predicament. You should have gone to Vegas. But, once again, Roselyn wants to do what Roselyn wants to do. Do not, I repeat, do not give Devious any trouble.” Then he drags me out of the bedroom.
My feet barely keep up with his steps.
Papa opens the back door, and everyone rises from their chairs. My heart beats harder than rain thumping on a rooftop, and my throat is dry. I bite down on my lip to keep the tears from falling down my face. This will be all over with. Tomorrow, around this time, I’ll be on a plane. I don’t have to worry about my father abusing me anymore. I glance down at the red rose petals scattered on the grass.
Once Devious’s Italian loafers come into view, I snap my head up and gaze at the devil before me. Papa pulls the veil back and kisses my forehead before taking his seat in the front row. It’s a shit show, a fucking joke that Papa shows affection in front of these guests.
Devious rubs his finger on his chin. “You look exquisite.”
I flinch a little. “Thank you.”
He grabs both of my hands, and we face the priest. The priest starts by blessing our union. He goes on about how the marriage is sacred.
“Now the vows and the rings,” the priest says.
It’s an imprisonment band. To prove to the world our contract is sealed. Aiden gives Devious our bands, and then he smiles at me.
Devious grabs my ring finger and says, “I, Cayden Vitali, take Roselyn Bartoli as my lawful wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. Till death do us part.”
I gape at the ring he slides on my finger. The diamond is pink and the shape of a heart. Devious gives me the platinum band to put on his finger.
“I, Roselyn Bartoli, take Cayden Vitali as my lawful husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer. Till death do us part.”
“Now you may kiss the bride,” the priest says with delight in his tone.
Devious places his hand on my lower back, pulling me close. His breath smells like mint leaves. A cold shiver slithers up my spine, and butterflies blossom in my rib cage, as I breathe in deeply.
He leans down, and I close my eyes as his lips press against mine. My chest brushes his as I loop my arms around his neck. He guides his tongue into my mouth, and he deepens the kiss, making my core tingle. Dizziness takes over me when he pulls away, and I’m completely speechless.
Everyone cheers and claps their hands, except for my papa—he wrinkles his lips, stands up, and tucks his hands in his pockets. Devious threads his fingers with mine, and I frown at my new husband.
Tonight, I’m going to watch him take his last breath.
Roselyn
The reception was cut short because Devious had some business to take care of. Thank God. I got tired of hearing “congratulations” and being introduced to people I won’t see again. Right before I came to bed, I snuck into the kitchen, stole the sharpest knife I could find, and hid it under my pillow, since we’re living in the mansion instead of the penthouse back in New York City.
I can do this. I can do this. I can kill Devious.I’ve never killed a man before, but I’ve watched enough crime shows on how to kill someone. So, hopefully, I know what I’m doing and won’t get caught.
My bags are hidden in the closet in the living room, and as soon as Devious goes to sleep, I’m going to stab him in the back—literally. He has no idea what I have in store for him. Aiden will come after me for killing his brother, but by the time the maids discover his bloody body, I’ll have fled. Butterflies tickle my stomach as I wait for Devious to stroll through the door. I clutch the side of the fluffy pillow.
Devious stomps into the bedroom with blood on his fingers. Fear overpowers me. Did he kill someone? It doesn’t matter. I shake my head, and our eyes meet. He kicks off his shoes and undoes his cuff links, then proceed to walks up to me, and his rough, calloused thumb strokes my cheek. The metallic smell from his fingers lingers in my nostrils. My throat is as parched as sand, and my whole body trembles.
He unbuttons his dress shirt and unzips his pants, removing both and placing them on the black lounge chair. His hard dick presses against his boxers.
