Page 5 of Let Vengeance Be Mine

“You could have just asked.” Not once in the hours since I have been taken have I cried, but I feel the threat of tears now.

It’s ridiculous and only confirms the power this man could have over me if I let him.

“Where would the fun in that have been?” He shakes his head as he skims those magic fingers over my panties, to tease me some more.

“We will get started tomorrow, I suggest that you are compliant. I think I’ve proven that I can make this bearable for you. But I’ll warn you that I’m not renowned for my tolerance.” Turning his back on me, he starts to walk back towards the door.

“Please!” The word tumbles out of my mouth, and I’m so confused, I don’t know if I’m begging him to come back or to let me go.

“That’s a really good start, Aria.” He smiles wickedly before leaving me alone for the second time today.

MATTEO

Isit at the breakfast table waiting for the door to open and when it does, one of my guards drags Fucchini’s feisty daughter into my dining room. She struggles against him and I get a strange satisfaction from the fact she immediately pauses when she sees me. I still haven’t permitted her any clothes, just clean, black, lace underwear which I think compliments her golden skin tone. It also makes me decide I don’t like the way Ludo’s hands look on her.

“Release her,” I order, watching as the girl studies the space around her, appearing overwhelmed. I’m not stupid enough to buy it though, The grandeur of my dining hall won’t be something Aria is unfamiliar with, her father is a very rich man, she will be used to these kinds of luxuries. What I predict is that she’s getting her bearings, and looking for an escape route. One that she won’t find. I’ve got this place locked down like fucking Alcatraz.

“Join me.” I gesture my hand to the space that's been laid for her, beside me. I know she will be hungry. The stubborn, little bitch has returned every meal I’ve had Anita send down for her since she’s been here, and given what I have planned for her, that will not do.

She snarls at me like a wolf as she moves closer, and just watching the way her body moves has me wanting to snatch her in my hands and destroy her all over my breakfast table.

But first things first, the girl must eat.

“Please, help yourself.” I nod my head toward the food that's spread out on the table, watching her eyes wander hungrily over the pastries and fruit that Anita has prepared. I decide to set an example by reaching forward and picking up an apple for myself.

Aria doesn’t react, she just watches me bite into it with that hateful look in her eyes.

“Starving yourself isn’t going to do you any good. Your body needs to be in good condition for what I have planned for it,” I inform her, keeping my voice casual.

“And what, exactly, do you have planned for it?” She tilts her head, trying desperately to put on a brave face.

It’s harder than I expected to answer her question. Up until the moment her eyes locked onto mine downstairs, putting my child inside her was my only intention. Now, I want to put my child inside her while she begs me for it.

That’s dangerous. I’m fully aware that I can not become attached to this woman and, yet, it’s hard not to form an attachment to something that looks so beautiful.

“How old are you, Aria?” I avoid her question by asking her something I already know.

“I’m nineteen.” She looks back at me with a strong will and determination that I can’t wait to break.

“And how are you still a virgin?” I take another bite of the apple in my hand and wait for her answer, and all she does is shrug her shoulders.

“Does your father have plans for you to marry?” I continue my questioning.

“You’ll have to ask him.” She’s getting smart with me and instead of angering me, like it should, I can’t control the smirk it puts on my face.

“Me and your father aren’t exactly on speaking terms,” I tell her, tamping down the rage that starts to build in my chest when I think about Stevan Fucchini. Now isn’t the time for this girl to be getting a rise out of me. I must be in full control when I’m around her.

“How about you and I make a deal, Aria? I’ll be honest with you if you are honest with me. Who has your father promised you to?” I rephrase my question. Her answer is valuable to me, it will give me an insight into what direction Fucchini plans to take his empire.

There's an immediate change to the girl's attitude, her posture changes, her shoulders sag and those pretty eyes fall to the table.

“Dennis Jefferson,” she mumbles the name and when I laugh at her words, she looks up at me with a sadness on her face that tells me she’s being serious.

“The man must be almost sixty,” I say my thoughts out loud and when she nods her head back at me timidly, something that feels a lot like empathy wedges in my throat.

“I’m assuming you aren’t happy with this arrangement?” I lean forward in my chair so I can study her more closely. Sorrow looks exquisite on her.

Her eyes almost look like they’re pleading with me for help when she slowly shakes her head at me. The beauty in her vulnerability almost has me forgetting that she’s my enemy's daughter.

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