Page 10 of Of Murder and Matrimony

My chest ached, and I wanted to go to him, hug him, and make him understand that I’d never wanted my old life to affect him. I disagreed with Dante that it was all my fault, but it was the thing that might keep Jason alive.

“I know there’s nothing I can say to make it hurt less.” I bit my cheek and tasted blood. “You can hate me all you want, and maybe that’s the best thing for both of us. I can’t stay here. You wouldn’t be safe if I tried, and you deserve the best in life. Please, just go. Forget me and tell everybody I wasn’t cut out for the small-town life.”

“I’m sure as hell not telling them I got catfished by a Bratva princess,” he hissed.

Fair enough, I couldn’t blame him for that.

Dante shifted and leaned forward, his face close to my breasts. With his arm tight around my back, I couldn’t move away, and his lemon and sage scent tickled my nose. “It would be in your best interest to garner as little attention as possible when speaking about Doctor Smith’s departure. One of my men will provide you with a story to tell the small-town gossips.”

“Fine.” Jason reached for the door.

“And Dr. Miller?” Dante called out, stopping the man in his tracks. Jason glanced back. “I will know if you deviate from the story. One slip, one wrong move, and everything and everybody you love will turn to ash.”

A choking noise escaped Jason’s throat, but he rallied, balling his hand into a fist. “I understand.”

He stalked through the door, slamming it behind him, and tears filled my eyes as I listened to him tear out of the gravel drive. It was a hell of a way to end a chapter of your life.

“Do you love him?” Dante tapped my cheek where my grief trailed down.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and swiped at the wet trail, knocking his hand out of the way. “Does it matter?”

“No,” he grunted. “But you’ll tell me, anyway.”

I let out a choked sigh. “I don’t see why I should. You may have me, but that doesn’t give you a right to my thoughts and emotions. You gave that up a decade ago.”

“Oh, piccola fantasma.” Dante’s words were deceptively smooth as they washed over me, and my eyes closed involuntarily. “I don’t need to be granted rights. I own you and everything you are. I will take what I want, and you will give it to me. We both know your resistance is futile.”

I shivered at his words, turning away and whispering, “I hate you.”

His firm grip on my chin forced me to meet his gaze. “Hate me all you want, Olesya. I only require your obedience.”

“I’ve never been particularly subservient.”

“I don’t think it will be a problem for you.” A dark smile tipped his lips upward. “After all, you want to ensure nothing happens to your precious Doctor Do-Little.”

I bristled at his threat. “Seriously, what are you, twelve? Leave Jason out of this.”

“He stood there and didn’t bother trying to save you,” Dante pointed out. “Think on that for a moment. Doctor Do-Little doesn’t deserve your respect. He’s spineless—all bluster and nothing to back it up.”

“I already sent him away. He did nothing wrong.”

“He touched you,” Dante hissed. A muscle in his jaw ticked. “I should have put a bullet through his brain for daring to lay a finger on what is mine.”

Mafia asshole. They always thought women were possessions. I wanted to slap some sense into him, but it was useless. As far as he was concerned, I’d been sold to him. What I didn’t understand was his motivation for returning after rejecting me so long ago.

“Save your ammunition,” I spat. “It’s pathetic to take pleasure in putting down a defenseless person.”

“There is nothing I wouldn’t do if I feel somebody is overstepping when it comes to you.” Dante’s fingers trailed down my throat, barely a whisper of a touch. Goosebumps broke out over my entire body, and I clenched my fists, resisting the sensations coursing through me.

I pushed against his chest, but his fingers curled more tightly around my waist, making my breath hitch. “Let me go, Dante.”

“Never.” His breath brushed over my cheek as he leaned in, his lips grazing my neck. “You. Are. Mine.”

The years had changed him. Dante had always been more serious than his brothers, but now his reckless side had turned into a ruthlessly possessive nature. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. There would be no escaping my fate this time around.

Dante released me when I slumped in his hold, and I nearly toppled from his lap. “It’s time to go. I don’t want to waste any more time away from Chicago.”

“I need to pack,” I protested, motioning around the house.

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