Page 32 of The Villain's Beloved (The Villain's Duet 2)

“That would be lovely,” Charlotte interrupted before glancing in my direction. “Elijah and I would love to join.”

There was a brief moment when Saint shot my wife a knowing look—something I would have missed had I not been so observant. “Of course,” I confirmed. “I’d love to show Charlotte around more.”

“Then it’s settled.” Milana smiled, excitement beaming from her expression.

“Great.” Saint stood and fastened his suit jacket. “This has been quite the eventful day, and I still have a few business matters to attend to before I can call it a night.” He held a hand out to Milana. “Come,segreto. I’m sure the newlyweds would like some privacy.”

“Charlotte, it was so nice to meet you,” Milana said as she took Saint’s hand. “And don’t forget that coin tomorrow morning.”

Charlotte and I both stood, and I moved to slip my arm around her waist. “We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Saint and Milana walked in the other direction, and I turned to face Charlotte. “Is everything okay?”

“Of course.”

I touched her chin, studying her. “You seem a bit pale.”

Charlotte placed the back of her hand against her forehead. “I’m not feeling too well.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I think I just need to get some sleep. Today was filled with a lot of…excitement.”

“Okay. Let’s get you to bed.” I took her hand, and we walked out of the restaurant toward the elevator. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a man standing at reception, glancing our way. There was something about him that had my instincts flare up. There was a look in his eye I didn’t trust—the way his gaze drifted from me to Charlotte. Within a second, I had memorized every visible feature of that man.

Caucasian. Large frame, around six-feet-four. Light-brown hair neatly cut, and beard trimmed. We were too far away for me to see the color of his eyes, but judging by the way it didn’t stand out and grab attention, my guess was either brown or green. Maybe a mix between. Nothing about him posed any threat in that moment. There was just…something.

We reached the elevator, and as Charlotte stepped inside, I stilled next to the concierge who held the door for us, leaning close and slipping money into his pocket without anyone noticing. “The man at the reception desk. I need to know who he is.”

The concierge nodded, and I stepped inside as he pressed the number to our floor.

The door closed, and I pulled Charlotte closer. Her body went rigid against mine, and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to her not feeling well all of a sudden.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I am.” She leaned closer, but I could still feel the tension radiate off her. “I’m really just exhausted.”

“Maybe you should stay in bed tomorrow. I can cancel with Saint and Milana—”

“No,” she snapped. “Don’t cancel with them. I want to go. I’m sure a good night’s sleep will have me all better in the morning.”

The elevator chimed, and the door opened. “Why don’t you have an early night? I have a few things I have to take care of in the office.”

She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Okay.”

About to walk off in the other direction, I grabbed her hand and pulled her back, kissing her hard. The way she kissed me back, her body relaxing into mine, reassured me that she was okay—that I could focus my attention on the man who had my instincts blazing. “I love you, Charlotte.”

“I love you, too.”

Our fingers entwined as she stepped back and turned to make her way down the hall. God, she was the most perfect woman I had ever laid eyes on. And now I had the honor of calling her my wife.

It was a risky fucking move I pulled tonight. But for her, there was no risk too high. There was nothing I wouldn’t do for her—to keep her safe. The Bernardi family was a powerful one in our society. Every one of them were cruel motherfuckers and would stop at nothing to get what they want. And what they wanted was Charlotte. They knew she was the key to all of this, and if they had her, their secrets would be buried along with Gianni. But they were making a vast goddamn mistake if they thought I’d ever let them near her. She was mine, and I’d have to be dead before I’d ever allow anyone to take her from me.

* * *

Charlotte

I glancedover my shoulder at Elijah fast asleep next to me. It was early hours in the morning when he eventually came to bed. He climbed in behind me, kissed my shoulder, and whispered into my ear, “Are you awake?”

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